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Summer in Vancouver is a time for connection, whether it’s at the Farmers Market, Movies in the Park, the Pride Block Party, National Night Out, or a backyard barbecue. I was fortunate to meet many of you at the events that make Vancouver feel so special this time of the year. I have heard your concerns and hopes for the city, and these moments reminded me how much people care about our community and its future.

One of the consistent priorities I heard about this summer is community safety. This can take on several forms. For some, it is a sense of belonging that helps them feel safe and welcome in our community. For others, it means addressing climate change so our community is resilient in the face of global warming. For others, it is the safety and security of knowing police and fire will be there if you need help.

Last year, the City Council placed a police services levy on the ballot. While the measure did not pass, the vote was very close, which told us that the community values safety and police services. We dug into why the measure failed and learned more about the essential functions the community wants to see to keep us safe. Those included funding police officers and finding additional funding sources, which is why you will see Proposition 5 on the ballot this November.

Why Proposition 5?

Earlier this year, I reconvened the Police Advisory Committee. This 13-member committee of Vancouver residents met three times from April to June with Police Department staff and me to discuss police priorities and potential funding solutions. One of the key factors they discussed was that the tools available to local governments to help fund police services have changed since we voted on Proposition 4. As a part of his legislative priorities, Governor Bob Ferguson pushed for and signed House Bill 2015, which created two new public safety funding options for Washington cities: a $100 million grant program and a council-approved public safety sales tax.

After much discussion, the committee recommended a multi-source investment strategy that includes taking advantage of the new tools and referring another smaller, substantially simpler levy to the ballot. Together, the voter-approved Proposition 5, the public safety sales tax, and applying for the state grant would provide three sources of revenue that could fund up to 25 sworn staff and up to 10 non-sworn staff. Proposition 5’s property tax increase would be a key piece of that and enable the City to hire 13 full-time equivalent officers in a range of ranks and positions, as well as the positions and resources needed to support the officers.

If passed, the levy will increase Vancouver’s regular property tax by $0.15 per $1,000 assessed value. For a home assessed at $500,000, the total annual cost would be $75, or about $6.25 per month in 2026. The levy is anticipated to raise approximately $6 million in 2026 and will grow annually at the same rate as the City’s base levy thereafter.

Proposition 5 is a scaled-back ask that focuses only on police officers and the equipment and support they need to do their work. It is a modest but meaningful step, especially compared to the 80 officers envisioned in Proposition 4. When we add additional new funding sources made possible by legislative action, we will be able to move toward the staffing level needed by a city of our size.

If you want to learn more, our website has information about Proposition 5, the police services levy.