Whatcom County approves new sales tax to bolster criminal justice funding
In a pair of split votes Tuesday night, the Whatcom County Council approved a new sales tax of one-tenth of 1% for criminal justice purposes and rejected a measure that would have sent the tax to the voters.
An ordinance authorizing the tax passed 5-2, with County Council members Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler against it. A companion ordinance setting an advisory referendum failed 2-5, with council members Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, Kaylee Galloway, Jessica Rienstra and Jon Scanlon dissenting.
That second vote was based on a legal interpretation of the state law that gives cities and counties the right to collect the tax if their local law-enforcement agency meets certain training criteria. A voter referendum under the law isn’t allowed until 2028, deputy prosecutor Kimberly Thulin told the council during committee discussion of the measure earlier Tuesday.
“I appreciate the need (for the tax). I understand the need. I would prefer to ask permission from the voters,” Elenbass said during discussion on the measure.
Galloway said that council members are elected to make “tough decisions” such as adding a tax during times of economic uncertainty.
“I hope that folks don’t see my support for this as being disrespectful of the voters. I really respect the democracy that involves electing your seven-member council. You have the opportunity to elect us every four years and you should continue to make sure your voice is heard and trust us to make these tough decisions,” Galloway said.
Lynden and Bellingham have already enacted a similar tax.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu called the tax a “crucial step toward fixing the structural imbalance in the county’s annual budget” in remarks to the council on Tuesday.
“This is not a choice that any of us wanted to make. We all understand that families are getting squeezed from many sides by rising costs for groceries, fuel, health care, housing and many more items. The last thing we want to do is add to this burden,” Sidhu said.
Costs for government services — especially labor — are increasing while revenue is stagnant, he said. Without the tax, cuts can be expected to the Sheriff’s Office and the courts and Prosecutor’s Office as the county faces a $12 million deficit by 2028.
Such a sales tax of one-tenth of 1% would cost shoppers 10 cents on a $100 purchase. That amounts to about $25 to $45 annually for the average Whatcom County family, Deputy Executive Kayla Schott-Bressler told the council on Tuesday.
It will take effect July 1 and could raise $6.5 to $7 million annually for the county.
According to the measure approved Tuesday, funds from the tax will be used toward health and food services at the county jail, paying for a lease on a new building for the Sheriff’s Office and labor costs.
