Title
Approval of an Ordinance Imposing the Councilmanic Public Safety Sales and Use Tax authorized by HB-2015 of One-Tenth of One Percent (0.1%)
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve on second reading, an ordinance imposing the Councilmanic Public Safety Sales and Use Tax authorized by HB-2015 of One-Tenth of One Percent (0.1%).
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve on second reading, an ordinance imposing the Councilmanic Public Safety Sales and Use Tax authorized by HB-2015 of One-Tenth of One Percent (0.1%).
Staff Contact:
Mike Githens, Finance Director, 360.753.8465
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar item.
Background and Analysis:
There were no changes between first and second reading. In 2025, the Washington State Legislature enacted HB-2015, establishing two new funding pathways for cities and counties to support public safety initiatives. The law, which became effective on July 27, 2025, created a three-year, $100 million grant program aimed at hiring, retaining, and training police officers and co-responders. It also authorized a new councilmanic 0.1% local sales and use tax for broad public safety and criminal justice purposes.
While the grant program and the councilmanic tax are separate funding tools, HB-2015 requires jurisdictions to meet specific policy and training standards to be eligible for either. A city council may implement the 0.1% sales tax without applying for or receiving grant funds; however, the jurisdiction must still satisfy the grant's policy and training requirements to impose the tax. Additionally, to qualify for grant funding, a city must have received funds from or authorized at least one of three public safety sales taxes-two existing options and the new tax created under HB-2015.
The City of Olympia currently imposes both the Criminal Justice Sales Tax and the Public Safety Sales Tax, thereby meeting the eligibility criteria for the gran...
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