KENT, Wash. – Leaders of the City of Kent will be asking state lawmakers to give them authority to increase a local sales tax to hire more police officers.
In the city’s only proposal for the 2024 legislative session, the bill would allow city council the option to impose a .3% sales tax to fund public safety. This equates to three cents for every $10.
“This is pennies, and it will have a significant impact,” said Kent mayor Dana Ralph. “On $10, that three cents gives us the ability to hire upwards of 30 to 35 police officers. So, it really is a small amount to provide our community with some pretty significant resources.”