Investing in a safer Spokane for all
City of Spokane voters approved a Community Safety Sales Tax to fund new investments for Spokane Fire, Spokane Police, the Office of the Police Ombuds, and Spokane Municipal Court. This sales tax will generate around $6.5 million annually for the City of Spokane through 2035. Funds will be placed in a dedicated Community Safety Fund to provide additional transparency and accountability.
The one-tenth of one percent sales tax will cost $1 for every $1,000 residents and visitors spend in the City, with several necessities like food, prescription drugs, and rent exempted. The City will begin collecting funds from the sales tax on April 1, 2025.
These investments will reduce strain on the jail, time to disposition, failure to appear rates, re-arrest, and pre-trial detention rates