As Vancouver grows, so does the demand for police services. The community has made it clear it wants a funding plan that doesn’t rely solely on property taxes, so the City partnered with its volunteer Police Community Advisory Committee to find a path forward. The result is a multi-source strategy that combines the voter-approved Proposition 5 property tax, state public safety grants, and a council-approved local sales tax. Together, these three tools give us a realistic, sustainable way to build up the police department’s staffing to where a city our size needs it to be.

Didn’t voters already fund police staffing when Proposition 5 passed?

Proposition 5, which passed with voter approval in November 2025, was an essential first step, however, this levy lift was always designed as one part of a broader, multi-source strategy. Proposition 5 provided a critical funding source, but meeting the long-term staffing and operational needs of a growing city requires a combination of funding sources.

To bridge that gap without placing the entire financial responsibility on property owners, the funding strategy relies on three tools:

• Voter-Approved Proposition 5 (Property Tax)
• State Public Safety Grants ($100 million competitive state pool)
• Local Public Safety Sales Tax (Council-approved local option)

By combining these three distinct revenue streams, the City can build toward the police staffing levels Vancouver needs and the public expects.

What is the state’s Local Law Enforcement Grant, and how does it help fund police in Vancouver?

In May 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed HB 2015 which includes a $100 million competitive state fund, administered by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC). These statewide grant funds are designed to help local cities hire and train new law enforcement officers, hire crisis response specialists, and expand officer wellness and de-escalation programs. These grants are competitive, temporary, and require local matching funds. They help jumpstart hiring, but they cannot replace predictable, long-term local funding. The Local Law Enforcement Grant Program provides up to 75% of salary and benefits for newly hired entry level police officers through June 2028 and matching funds are required.

How was the public safety sales tax approved?

The Vancouver City Council approved the public safety sales tax by voting to adopt Ordinance M-4488 at its August 24, 2026, meeting. Under Washington state law (RCW 82.14.345), city councils are authorized to enact a 0.1% public safety sales tax via a majority council vote without sending the measure to a public ballot. Council will finalize specific allocations for these funds when it adopts the 2027–2028 Biennial Budget in November.

What will the public safety sales tax pay for?

The public safety sales tax will provide the necessary funds needed to support entry-level police officers sought through Vancouver’s Local Law Enforcement Grant Program application. It is a dedicated stream and can only be used for police officers and related expenses, including hiring crisis response specialists and expanding officer wellness and de-escalation programs.  Once the grant cycle ends, the sales tax will provide the ongoing funding needed to retain the officers.

Can the sales tax help pay for public defenders?

Yes, state law allows local public safety revenue to be used across the criminal justice system, including public defense services.

How much will the sales tax increase?

The sales tax rate will be increased by 0.1%, making the new rate 9.0%

When will the tax go into effect?

January 1, 2027.

How much is the sales tax expected to raise?

The sales tax rate is expected to raise $6 million annually.

Wasn’t the public safety sales tax already passed?

Other jurisdictions in Washington like Battleground and Clark County moved quickly when state lawmakers passed House Bill 2015 in 2025, but Vancouver paced its timeline to align with recommendations from the Police Community Advisory Committee and the City’s broader biennial budget process.

Will information be shared on how the sales tax and other public safety funds are used?

Yes. The City will update the public on how the public safety sales tax, Proposition 5 property tax dollars, and state grants are invested to meet the growing demand for police services.