VANCOUVER, Wash. (KATU) — Vancouver city councilors are considering a slight increase in the local sales tax rate to help pay for more police officers. It’s the city’s latest effort to increase staffing at the police department, which officials say is understaffed for the growing area.
Council members on Monday night will hear public comment before voting on a proposed 0.1% increase to the sales tax rate. The uptick would collect $6 million annually, according to city documents, and fund 16 entry-level police officer positions with other money coming from a grant program.
The tax increase is possible because of a state law passed in 2025. If it passes, a $100 purchase would see an additional $0.10 increase in sales tax…