(The Center Square) – The Tacoma City Council will hold its first reading this week on a proposed 0.1% public safety sales tax – months later than several neighboring cities that have already adopted similar increases.
The sales tax increase – authorized by the state Legislature via House Bill 2015, with generated revenue only allowed to go toward public safety needs – would raise Tacoma’s sales tax rate from 10.3% to 10.4% and generate an estimated $7 million to $7.5 million annually, according to the city. By comparison, Seattle recently adopted its own public safety sales tax increase that lifts its rate to 10.55% with an anticipated $39 million in generated revenue for the city in 2026.
Bellingham also approved a 0.1% public safety tax, projected to generate roughly $4 million.
Because Tacoma is adopting the tax later than other jurisdictions, the state’s implementation schedule means it would take effect no earlier than April 1, 2026, instead of Jan. 1.
In a press release, the city said the increase is necessary to fund essential government programs and maintain its current 911 response times by avoiding staffing cuts.
“Tacoma faces a dual challenge: a projected budget shortfall that threatens essential services and an urgent need to modernize our public safety system,” the city stated. “We need a dedicated, stable funding source to prevent cuts to 911 response times and to expand the behavioral health services our community has asked for.”
Revenue generated by the public safety sales tax increase can only go toward public safety needs.
The first reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Tuesday, followed by a second one tentatively set to take place on Jan. 6, 2026.
