Snohomish County sales tax for public safety trailing

Snohomish County's proposed 0. 2% sales tax increase for public safety funding is trailing in initial election results, with about 56. 4% of voters against it and only 43. 6% in favor. Introduced by County Executive Dave Somers, the measure aimed to address increasing demands for public safety services, including law enforcement, court systems, and drug treatment programs, with an anticipated annual revenue of $40 million.

The tax would have added two-tenths of 1% on retail sales, equating to about 2 cents for every $10 spent. However, it faced significant opposition as voters expressed concerns over the already high tax burden in Washington State, which ranks fourth nationally for combined state and local tax rates. In a joint statement, Somers and other county officials acknowledged the voters' decision, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining public safety with available resources and seeking state and federal assistance. This proposal follows a similar measure rejected in 2016, attributed to ineffective communication with voters. The election results reflect residents' apprehensions regarding new taxes amid ongoing economic pressures.