Goldendale council directs staff to prepare 0.1% public safety sales-tax measure for 2025 ballot

The Goldendale City Council voted to ask staff to prepare a resolution to place a 0.1% public safety sales-tax measure on the 2025 general election ballot and directed that the city retain the full allowable share — roughly 85% — to fund police and fire services.

Councilmembers discussed RCW 82.14.450, which authorizes a 0.1% sales tax dedicated to criminal justice and fire protection purposes with voter approval. The mayor noted the proposal would allow visitors and nonproperty owners who use city services to share in the cost and quoted a city estimate that the tax could generate about $90,000 to $100,000 per year for public safety.

Under the motion, the draft resolution will go to the council’s ordinance committee for review and recommendation before returning to the full council. The council’s motion also specified that the full funding amount allowed to the city (about 85% of revenue under the statute when a city implements the tax) be designated for the police department and fire department rather than the general fund.

Councilmembers asked whether the county might adopt a similar tax; staff noted the county had previously declined to pursue a sales tax in recent conversations with city officials. The council discussed statutory language about potential uses, including criminal justice, behavioral health and programs that reduce interactions with the criminal justice system, and concluded those definitions do not force a council’s hands but provide flexibility within statute.

The motion passed on a recorded count in the meeting: four votes in favor and one abstention. Council members said the ordinance committee will draft the language and return a recommended resolution and ballot title for council vote and then for placement on the 2025 general-election ballot if the council approves the resolution.