(The Center Square) – Short on manpower and funding to hire more, the Spokane Valley City Council discussed taking a tax hike to the ballot on Tuesday to pay for its next round of law enforcement officers.
The discussion followed a March 4 budget meeting where the council reviewed estimates that show the cost of public safety increasing significantly. The Valley contracts law enforcement through the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, which is renegotiating its deputies’ pay.
According to council documents, the Valley typically sees annual increases of around 5.2% for its law enforcement contract. That number has increased to 10.9% annually since 2021. City staff expects the renegotiated collective bargaining agreement to add another $4.7 million by 2027.
Meanwhile, the Valley is still short on manpower. A consulting firm previously recommended the Valley add around 30 deputies to the force. The council authorized funding to hire the first ten throughout 2025, but the next round will add $1 million in recurring costs on top of other hikes.
“We estimate that a one-tenth of 1%, voter-approved public safety sales tax would generate approximately $2.6 million,” Deputy City Manager Erik Lamb told the council. “In a prior study, the city identified that approximately 48% of sales taxes come from out-of-city visitors.”
Lamb said sales taxes account for the city’s largest source of revenue, but that growth has sat relatively flat over the past year. The next opportunity to put a tax hike up for a vote would be in August. If the Valley plans to ask, it must file the required paperwork by May 2.
The city of Spokane, which neighbors the Valley, passed a one-tenth of 1% public safety sales tax last November. The Spokane City Council’s conservative minority criticized the idea repeatedly leading up to the vote, which made it through with 57% of residents in support.
Councilmember Al Merkel opposed the idea of raising taxes. He said the Valley could pay for the contract and new hires by trimming areas of the budget and reviewing ongoing contracts for other services. However, Lamb said it only needs approval from five of the seven members.
Councilmember Laura Padden said she’s well known for not supporting tax hikes.
“However, I’m also in favor of letting people decide the kind of police protection that they want,” Padden said.
She wants to look at indirect costs within the contract with the county, which is the largest area of spending across the budget. Padden said if the city finds efficiencies, the extra money could help fund the new hires, though she clarified that she still supports putting the tax on a ballot.
Councilmember Jessica Yaeger said they could hire more officers but argued it wouldn’t impact crime because the Spokane Valley Police Precinct needs more room for them. Still, Yaeger said she’s “very supportive of this” since it’s up to the voters and “hopes it passes.”
Mayor Pam Haley, Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg and Councilmember Ben Wick also voiced support, though Wick advocated for identifying potential budget cuts as well. Councilmember Rod Higgins did not state his position in support or opposition to the tax hike.
“First of all, I’m not for more taxes,” Haley said. “You guys need to be able to vote and decide what you want to fund for the police department too. That’s the only reason I’m going to agree.”
