County Pushes New Safety Tax Amid Overlap Concerns | Seattle News

Snohomish County is pushing a new 0.1% public safety sales tax to plug a growing budget hole—set to launch in 2027 and bring in $20 million annually to fund sheriff’s deputies, the jail, prosecutors, and public defense. Unlike last year’s failed ballot measure, this time the county doesn’t need voter approval, but it could create a double-tax headache for residents in cities like Lynnwood and Edmonds, which already levy their own safety tax. Stanwood is also considering its own tax, potentially leading to overlapping fees. Officials argue the regional system—where cities handle police and counties manage jails and courts—demands coordinated funding, even as critics question why some residents would pay twice without a vote. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/3ef851d8270d7eaa