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

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.

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