Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, February 26, 2008

County sales tax hike would aid public safety

The county is considering a sales tax increase to fund drug addiction and mental health help.

By Jeff Switzer
Herald Writer

 Snohomish County shoppers might have to pay an extra penny of sales tax on a $10 purchase to bankroll more drug addiction treatment and mental health programs.

The County Council is strongly considering the tax hike based on a recommendation by a panel of law enforcement and social service experts. On Monday, the group listed ways to improve public safety in the county, and the tax increase was high on the list.

"People understand that if we don't deal with drug dependency, all we're creating is a revolving door at the jail and putting the public at risk from these people," County Councilman Dave Gossett said.

When a countywide tax increase might kick in isn't clear. It might raise $10 million to $11.25 million a year.

With nods from Gossett, council chairman Dave Somers and Councilman John Koster, county staff plan to propose a list of programs May 1 that might get a boost in funding.

"I was very pleased they already started moving ahead," said Seth Dawson, chairman of the public safety panel that recommended the tax increase. "That was quick."

Dawson is a human services lobbyist and former Snohomish County prosecuting attorney.

Whether the council approves the tax increase will depend on how well the success at preventing crime can be measured, Gossett said.

"Our ability to keep people out of that jail is a direct benefit to taxpayers," Gossett said. "Every bed we can keep empty is a bed we can sell." The county wants to improve safety, quality of life and generate revenue to help fund the criminal justice system, he said.

The Legislature voted in 2005 to allow a one-tenth of 1 percent slice of sales tax for chemical dependency and mental health programs. The Island County Commission approved using the tax last year.

Snohomish County also needs a crime-prevention strategy to keep spending on enforcement from skyrocketing, Dawson said.

About 71 percent, more than $140 million, of the county's general fund budget is spent on cops and courts.

About 50 percent of the children of men in jail will end up in jail themselves, said Kit Wennersten, a Marysville police officer and member of the expert panel.

"The only way to break that cycle is to start at the bottom with prevention techniques," he said. Programs to identify and help children with mental health issues or drug problems also can keep those people from a life of crime, he said.

Also, the panel recommended a special domestic violence court and a "triage center" near the jail to evaluate mental health and drug dependency issues.

The panel also gave limited support to a new county law and justice center. The project is still on the drawing board and might cost $95 million to $165 million, though figures still face revision.



Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.



Expert panel

The county's Blue Ribbon Commission on Criminal Justice Priorities

Chairman, Seth Dawson: human services lobbyist and former county prosecuting attorney

Co-chairman, Gary Weikel: former deputy county executive

John Baker: volunteer with the county legal guardianship program

Jim Bloss: president of the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness; also serves on other public safety and human services panels

Teresa Cox: city of Everett domestic violence prosecutor

Renee Ripley: crime prevention volunteer

Kit Wennersten: senior patrolman with Marysville police
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA