County proposes tax hike to help bust crime

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, February 17, 2007

Snohomish County officials want to ask voters for a tax increase in 2008 to help bolster funding for criminal justice.

“We know there’s a whole lot of problems with public safety, and of all the various suggestions floating out there, we want to know which is the top priority,” County Council chairman Dave Gossett said.

The county plans to spend more than 71 percent of its general-fund budget on sheriff’s deputies, prosecutors, jails and courts.

But more is needed, officials argue. During budget debates last year, officials considered laying the groundwork for a six-year property tax hike for criminal justice.

The hike might raise an estimated $12 million to $16 million, if voters were so inclined.

With the money, the county figured it could hire 40 deputies, eight nurses, 16 drug-abuse experts for schools, more alternative drug courts and a new 15-bed mental health facility.

The County Council liked the concept, but not the plan to spend $100,000 to $200,000 on a consultant to study the idea. Instead, the council budgeted $25,000 and plans to form a seven-member citizen panel to weigh criminal justice priorities.

“We want to have some public input on what the top public safety priority is, and that’s what this panel can give us,” Gossett said.

The County Council has scheduled further discussion Wednesday.

The panel would include one person appointed from each of the five council districts, one from the county executive and one from the county law and justice cabinet.

A report is due back Aug. 1.

“The intent would be to put something on the ballot in 2008,” Gossett said.