What? The City of Snoqualmie is asking the electorate to approve an increase in the sales and use tax of one tenth of one percent (0.1%). This would increase the current sales and use tax to 9.2 percent. The funds collected will be used solely for public safety purposes, such as recruiting, training and the equipping of Snoqualmie public safety professionals.
Why? Dramatic increases in inflation over the past few years have had an adverse impact on city budgets. Amounts budgeted a year ago are no longer adequate to the job of maintaining the excellent service levels provided by Snoqualmie’s first responders, thus the need for additional funding.
It is important to note, the city has structured this tax as a tax on city wide retail sales, as opposed to an increase in property taxes, thereby spreading the burden beyond Snoqualmie residents. Additionally, even with this increase in the sales tax, Snoqualmie remains lower than the majority of King County cities.
A vote for increasing the sales and use tax is a vote to maintain the high level of services currently provided by Snoqualmie’s first responders. We urge you to vote yes.
Submitted by: Gary Bragg, Susan Burk, Grahame Ross, grahameross@gmail.com
