In December 2022, the Spokane Board of County Commissioners voted to place a sales and use tax increase on the November 7, 2023 General Election ballot, pursuant to RCW 82.14.450. If approved, Measure No. 1 would authorize the County to impose an additional 0.2% (2/10th of 1%) County-wide sales and use tax. That would be an additional .02¢ from every $10 spent within Spokane County by residents, visitors and tourists. 60% of the collected funds will be allocated to Spokane County government and 40% provided to cities and towns within Spokane County for criminal justice, public safety and behavioral health purposes. Spokane County would allocate funds from the new sales tax to improve facilities and processes at all phases of inmate detention and release, including in custody, release and reentry and criminal justice reform/improvement. The revenue will be used for criminal justice, public safety, drug and alcohol treatment, behavioral health programs, and inmate job training.
HOW WILL THE NEW SALES TAX FUNDING BE ALLOCATED?*
Spokane County = 60% City of Spokane = 23.8050% City of Spokane Valley = 11.0417% City of Cheney = 1.3320% City of Liberty Lake = 1.3269% City of Airway Heights = 1.1382% City of Medical Lake = 0.4990% City of Deer Park = 0.4815% City of Millwood = 0.1974% Town of Fairfield = 0.0619% Town of Rockwood = 0.0562% Town of Spangle = 0.0289% Town of Latah = 0.0191% Town of Waverly = 0.0124%
* Percentages for cities and towns are based on 2022 data and will change over time as population % changes.
WHO PAYS FOR IT? HOW LONG DOES THE SALES TAX LAST?
The sales tax will be paid by residents, visitors and tourists in Spokane County. The sales tax would begin April 1, 2024 and extend through December 31, 2054—30 years. Sales tax revenue collected within specific jurisdictions (see breakout to the left) can be used by these cities and towns at a local level, for criminal justice, public safety and behavioral health purposes as determined by their elected officials. The retail sale or use of motor vehicles, and the lease of motor vehicles for up to the first thirty-six months of the lease, are exempt from this tax.