This November, Vancouver residents will vote on Proposition 5, a property tax levy aimed at bolstering the local police department. The measure seeks to fund up to 13 new full-time police officers, along with necessary equipment and resources.
The Vancouver Police Department has highlighted its staffing challenges, stating, “Vancouver has the second-lowest staffed police department among Washington cities our size.” If approved, the levy would increase the city’s regular property tax by $0.15 per $1,000 of assessed value. For a homeowner with a property valued at $500,000, this would mean an additional $75 annually.
The levy is expected to raise $6 million annually over six years starting in 2026. Proposition 5 is part of a broader investment strategy that includes a council-initiated sales tax and a state public safety grant program…