Everett shoppers would pay a penny more on every $10 taxable purchase under a public safety sales tax the Snohomish County Council is expected to vote on Wednesday, Aug. 12, after the council approved three amendments to the measure on July 22.

Ordinance 26-030 would add 0.1% to the countywide sales tax rate, pushing Everett's combined rate to 10%. The tax is projected to generate roughly $20 million per year for sheriff's deputies, the county jail, prosecutors, public defense and the courts.

The County Council unanimously scheduled a public hearing at its July 8 meeting for 10:30 a.m. Aug. 12 in the Council Chambers at 3000 Rockefeller Ave. A final vote is expected the same day.

Three amendments reshape the proposal

The council approved three changes July 22 that define how the money would be split, tracked and potentially challenged by voters:

Revenue sharing: 85% of the tax stays with Snohomish County. The remaining 15% goes to cities and towns through a grant program for law enforcement, jail services and other criminal justice needs.

Transparency requirement: The county executive must maintain a public website with annual reports showing revenue collected, spending, fund balances, allocations and year-over-year comparisons. The county has already created a Tax Transparency page listing the ordinance.

Advisory vote and delayed start: Voters would get a non-binding advisory vote before the tax takes effect. Collection would not begin until April 1, 2027.

Sheriff: 'There is no more to cut'

Sheriff Susanna Johnson told the council July 22 that law and justice departments have exhausted budget reductions.

"Honestly, council, there is no more to cut," Johnson said, according to the Snohomish Herald. She said departments have responded to calls for savings "again and again" and that the ordinance aims to sustain existing services, not expand them.

Nehring raises voter mandate concern

Councilmember Nate Nehring questioned the approach July 22, noting that Snohomish County voters rejected a similar 0.2% public safety sales tax (Proposition 1) in November 2024. That measure would have generated about $40 million annually.

Nehring said he struggles with advancing a similar proposal by council action after what he called a clear mandate from voters. He also said he hears from residents every day who are struggling with the existing tax burden.

Council Chair Megan Dunn said July 22 that the county has underfunded services for years and that departments have absorbed repeated cuts.

Why the council can act without a ballot measure

A state law passed after the 2024 vote allows counties and cities to impose separate public safety sales taxes of up to 0.1% by council action, without voter approval. That same law means the county and city taxes can stack: Everett residents shopping in Lynnwood or Edmonds, which have already enacted their own 0.1% public safety taxes, would pay both, KOMO News reported.

The tax responds to a projected $56 million structural budget deficit for the 2027-28 biennium. County Executive Dave Somers has already directed departments to prepare budgets with 3% reductions totaling about $22 million. Even with the new tax, Somers has said additional cuts will be necessary. He is required to present his proposed 2027-28 budget to the council by Sept. 4.

How to weigh in

Residents can testify at the Aug. 12 hearing in person at 3000 Rockefeller Ave. (8th Floor, Jackson Board Room), by Zoom (Meeting ID: 948-4685-0772) or by phone at 1-253-215-8782 or 1-206-337-9723.