Why we’re united on a Justice Fund for public safety

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 11, 2026

A decision point is set for Aug. 12 that will show how much Snohomish County values public safety and financial responsibility.

County leaders broadly agree that public safety is our top priority. Now we ask: Is it enough of a priority to make the hard calls? In a time of painfully constrained budgets, are we as a county prepared to take a tough and important action to preserve foundational public services?

The County Executive has asked the County Council to vote Aug. 12 on the Justice Fund. We are strongly urging a yes vote.

Simply put, the Justice Fund would be one cent more in sales tax for every $10 spent shopping in the county (a one-tenth of one-percent tax). That money would go toward law enforcement, courts, clerks, prosecution, and public defense. This urgently needed revenue would be fully dedicated to the law and justice components of county government, which make up more than three-quarters of our general fund.

At some point, most Snohomish County residents have relied or will rely on our law and justice system. The county is the central service provider for essential pieces like emergency response from law enforcement and court proceedings, including prosecution, defense, and records. We’re also the hub of the system that handles divorce and custody proceedings, juvenile interventions, adoptions, small claims, traffic infractions, protection orders, therapeutic courts, search and rescue, and so much more.

The costs of providing these services have increased at a much faster pace than the revenue sources to pay for them. Inflation, state limitations on county revenue, and rapid growth have created a significant budget gap. As a result, we don’t have the funding to meet current needs even as demand grows. Snohomish County is facing about a $56 million deficit in the coming biennium – more than $27 million each year.

An increase in sales tax is not an easy decision. Families are facing a lot of pressure with the rising costs of living. This won’t hit your grocery bills thanks to exemptions for essentials like food and medications. However, it would apply to other needs like clothing and household supplies. We do not take that financial impact lightly.

We also cannot afford to take the safety of our community lightly.

We wouldn’t ask for this new funding without first taking a thorough look at the county budget and making painful cuts. The Executive instructed every department, office, agency and branch of Snohomish County government to submit their proposed budget for the next two years with a 3 percent reduction, which totals $22 million in cuts countywide. We’ve slashed training and travel budgets, dialed back on supplies, delayed projects, reduced program capacity, and laid off staff.

Without the Justice Fund, cuts would need to go deeper in every corner of the county that touches the general fund. That would mean more layoffs. Slower emergency response times. Fewer frontline staff to maintain services and provide support. Less capacity to take on cases that are not major felonies but are potentially life-changing for those involved.

The gap between the cost of keeping our community safe and our ability to pay that cost will only continue to widen if we don’t do something now. There are real consequences if we let people, programs, and processes fall through that gap.

Snohomish County has a duty to provide foundational public safety services. The people we serve rightfully expect us to do so. A vote in favor of the Justice Fund is a vote to sustain those services. A vote against it is, in effect, a vote to defund police and reduce access to justice.

We urge a “yes” vote by the County Council for this essential public safety funding.

Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive

Megan Dunn, Chair, Snohomish County Council