(The Center Square) – The King County Council will consider a new sales tax that would generate more than $70 million in revenue for cultural organizations and programs.
The proposed ordinance would create the “King County Doors Open” program to enhance the quality of life throughout the region by benefitting local arts, culture, heritage and science organizations
The proposal would impose an additional 0.1% sales tax, or one cent for every $10 spent. The county estimates the tax would generate $71.8 million in 2024.
According to a presentation to the King County Committee of the Whole on Oct. 4, 2% of the $71.8 million would go to the county’s cultural funding agency 4Culture and start-up costs.
Approximately $48 million, or 67%, would go toward capital and operating grant pools. Grants would be awarded to local organizations that focus on heritage, arts, science and historic preservation. Capital spending would be based on project size.
Another 3% would go toward administration costs and the remaining funds would be reserved for the “Doors Open” program.
4Culture would be designated as the public agency to implement the spending plan for the sales tax, with panels made up of residents and representatives identified by the county council and county executive.
By 2030, the proposed sales tax would be expected to generate $126.2 million. Overall, it would collect $777 million over seven years.
There are over 600 cultural organizations in King County, according to 4Culture Executive Director Brian Carter.
King County Executive Dow Constantine penned a letter outlining the “Doors Open” program funding.
Constantine signaled portions of the funding would go toward cultural access programs designed to increase public school student access to cultural educational experiences; emerging cultural organizations focusing on ensuring all King County communities have access to cultural experiences; and meeting the ongoing needs of cultural organizations, including rent, utilities, payroll, and other basic annual expenses.
If the ordinance passes, tax collection would begin in April 2024 and go into effect over the next seven years. Afterwards it would need to be renewed.
King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohn-Welles is hopeful the final measure will be ready by the council’s last meeting of the year on Dec. 12.
