PORT TOWNSEND — Hearing support from those most likely to benefit from it, Jefferson County commissioners on Monday unanimously approved a one-tenth of 1 percent sales and use tax for providing new and expanded chemical dependency and mental health treatment services countywide.
The commissioners’ action, which would generate annual tax revenues of between $225,000 and $275,000, is also earmarked for operation of new and expanded therapeutic court programs, better known as drug court.
Laurie Strong, chairwoman of the county commissioners’ appointed Substance Abuse Advisory Board, said Monday she was elated with the elected leaders’ decision.
“I am thrilled. Jefferson County is doing something wonderfully far-reaching,” said Strong, who also is Jefferson Mental Health executive director.
“These are funds that can help to solve problems well into the future.”
Penny for every $10
The tax means that 1 cent of every $10 spent in Jefferson County goes to county substance abuse and mental health programs.
With the commissioners’ action, those programs can now be designated for various allocations.
The ability to levy a tax to support such drug court programs was the result of legislation originally sponsored by 24th District Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, to expand efforts being made by Safe Harbor/Beacon of Hope and Jefferson Mental Health Services, “so that a true and thorough evidence based treatment program for co-occurring disorders can be implemented,” Strong said in a Sept. 5 letter to the commissioners.
