MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Higher sales tax may be Snohomish County’s next weapon against drug use

May 3, 2016, 11:45 AM | Updated: May 4, 2016, 3:26 pm

drug use, safe injection, legalize heroin, safe-injection sites, safe injection, snohomish county...

(AP)

(AP)

Snohomish County residents could soon be taxed as a way to fight the area’s heroin and homeless problem.

Officials in Snohomish County are looking at increasing their sales tax in order to add more deputies and fund training to help deal with drug addicts, KIRO 7 reports.

At least part of the reason has to do with an increase in property crimes, Lt. Robert Palmer says.

“They really only need to come up with $25 worth of (stolen) property today and tomorrow, they will go out and get $25 to $50 worth and get their drugs because it’s so cheap,” Lt. Palmer said.

The current proposal would be to raise the sales tax by 0.2 percent. If approved by the county council, the increase would appear on the Aug. 2 ballot. The council will meet Monday.

KIRO 7 reports the tax would go into effect January 2017. It would add 2 cents to each $10 purchase; about $95 extra per year.

County Executive Dave Somers told the Daily Herald that the extra money would benefit improvements being made to law enforcement this year. Those improvements include being more efficient and enhancing customer service, the Herald reports.

A consultant-based report released last fall suggests the sheriff’s office add nearly 50 new deputies. The Herald reports that the boost in tax revenue would not be enough to pay for that. Sheriff Ty Trenary tells the Herald that he would like to see more training for his deputies when it comes to mental illness and drug users.

If approved, the tax would be split between the county (60 percent) and cities (40 percent). It would raise about $15 million a year for the county and $10 million for cities, the Herald reports.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

9 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

13 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

14 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

16 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

16 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

18 hours ago

Higher sales tax may be Snohomish County’s next weapon against drug use