Kitsap County Public Safety Funding
Kitsap County is considering implementing a local 0.1% sales and use tax dedicated to supporting public safety. The new tax, equal to one penny for every $10 spent, is expected to generate $7.5 million annually.
Kitsap County's $138 million General Fund pays for basic County services like the courts, law enforcement, jail operations, and more — essential functions that residents expect from County government. Public safety accounts for more than 76% of the General Fund, but costs for staffing, state mandates, and core services are growing faster than revenue.
Kitsap County's most stable revenue source, property tax, is capped at 1% growth per year by state law, but inflationary costs continue to increase faster. Without new, stable funding sources, the County faces difficult decisions. These long-term funding challenges will require cuts to services without increases in revenue.
In 2025 the Washington State Legislature adopted House Bill 2015, which gives local governments the ability to implement a local 0.1% sales and use tax dedicated to public safety, as long as the law enforcement agencies that benefit from the funding meet specific standards on policies and training. The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office is supportive of making changes to meet these standards.
What will the Public Safety Funding pay for?
Kitsap County must use the collected sales and use tax only for criminal justice and public safety investments. The tax will help maintain existing funding levels such as:
- Law enforcement staffing and retention
- Courts, prosecution, and public defense services
- Equipment and technology upgrades
- Prevention, treatment, and reentry programs
How will the proposed sales tax increase impact me?
The average taxpayer would pay $20-$40 more per year in sales tax.
What if Kitsap County does not implement the sales and use tax?
The implementation of the new sales tax will reduce pressure on public safety functions in 2027 and will support maintaining the current level of public safety services. The Washington state Constitution requires that Counties must adopt a balanced budget. Without additional revenues, the County Board of Commissioners will need to make budget cuts that will result in cutting 45-60 jobs in 2027 and decreasing our level of service.
