Mayor Brown and Council President Wilkerson propose community safety sales tax with sunset provision [Video]

SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown and Council President Wilkerson announced on Thursday their proposal to establish a Community Safety Fund and implement a 10-year sunset provision for a new sales tax aimed at enhancing community safety in Spokane.

According to a press release from the City of Spokane, . According to the press release, the tax would cost Spokane residents and visitors about $1 for every $1,000 spent, with necessities such as food and prescription drugs exempted. Of the total funds, 15% would be allocated to Spokane County.

The City of Spokane said they would collect roughly $6.5 million each year, which would be placed into a dedicated Community Safety Fund. This fund is intended to be used exclusively for community safety improvements, ensuring transparency and separation from other city finances.

Mayor Brown outlined several planned uses for the funds, including re-launching the Spokane Police Department’s Neighborhood Resource …