Sequim to mull sales tax hike

Published 12:01 am Monday, July 9, 2012

By Arwyn Rice

Peninsula Daily News

SEQUIM — The Sequim City Council plans to hold a public hearing today on a proposal to put a sales tax increase on the Aug. 7 ballot.

The council will consider placing the Public Safety Sales Tax Initiative measure on the ballot at the meeting that will begin at 6 p.m. today at the Transit Center, 109 W. Cedar St.

If approved, Proposition 1 would raise the sales tax within Sequim one-tenth of 1 percent, adding 1 cent to a $10 purchase.

Sequim now has the highest sales tax rate in Clallam County at 8.6 percent. Proposition 1, if approved by voters, would raise it to 8.7 percent.

$240,000 expected

The revenue from the sales tax hike, expected to be about $240,000 annually, would go toward the construction of a new police station and emergency communications center, as well as upgraded equipment for the Sequim Police Department.

“The public is not yet completely familiar with the implications of Proposition 1,” said Pat Johansen, spokeswoman for Citizens for Sequim Public Safety, in a statement.

“It will impact city residents and all who live, shop and work in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley,” she said.

Final analyses

City staff is expected to present final analyses of the proposed initiative at the meeting and to discuss what the police department needs and how the funds will be spent.

Clallam County sales taxes everywhere except Sequim are now at a rate of 8.4 percent. Jefferson County currently has the highest sales tax rate on the North Olympic Peninsula at 9 percent.

The police station is a major part of an overall civic center project proposed at a cost of between $12 million and $14 million.

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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsula

dailynews.com.