King County Council approves sales tax increase without seeking voter approval

The King County Council approved a sales tax increase Tuesday to support children and families.

Starting Jan. 1, the tax will add 1 cent to a $100 purchase. It could raise about $10.3 million in 2027 for services including child care, youth mental health programs, and rental assistance.

The council approved the increase 6 to 3. King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain voted yes.

“We need to find all sources of revenue to support these emergency shelters and services,” she said at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Dunn opposes sales tax increase, citing lack of voter approval and spending plan

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn voted no, noting the council passed the increase without requesting approval from voters.

“Historically, the traditional ways to raise taxes were to send it to a vote of the people,” he said.

In Dunn’s statement following the vote, he noted the tax doesn’t have a defined spending plan but is expected to fund youth homelessness services through the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). Its passage also comes the same day as the appointment of a new inspector general, who is being hired following an investigation that found fraud likely occurred across other DCHS youth programs.

“Families across King County are being squeezed by the high costs of housing, groceries, and fuel. At the same time, the county has had to take repeated steps to address waste and fraud in its own spending,” Dunn stated. “The difficult truth is that raising taxes will not make life more affordable. Before asking King County families to once again pay more, we ought to get our own house in order.”

King County Council appoints Stuart Robinson as first inspector general

The King County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Stuart Robinson as its first inspector general.

King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski said the office is needed after the reports of potential fraud.

“I hope that the work of the office will be infrequent. But as we’ve seen, it is necessary,” he said.

Robinson is a 26-year FBI veteran. He’ll have the authority to investigate suspected financial fraud and abuse, with the power to issue subpoenas.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.