Wenatchee to weigh 0.1% sales tax increase for criminal justice funding

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee City Council will hold a special meeting Nov. 6 to consider adopting Ordinance No. 2025-12, a proposal to raise the local sales and use tax by one-tenth of one percent to support criminal-justice services. If approved, the increase would take effect April 1, 2026, adding 10 cents to every $100 of taxable purchases made within city limits.

The proposal is not a reaction to overspending or shortfalls, but rather a measure to keep pace with the rising costs of providing essential services. Expenses tied to inmate housing, public-defender contracts, police operations, equipment, and staffing have all climbed faster than general revenues. Without an adjustment, the city would eventually have to divert funds from other departments to cover those public-safety obligations.

In that context, the measure is intended as a proactive step — a way to stay ahead of rising costs rather than catching up to them — and to preserve the city’s ability to maintain safety services without cutting into other priorities.

If adopted, the new 0.1-percent tax would bring Wenatchee’s overall sales-tax rate to 8.9 percent, combining state and local portions. The additional revenue would be dedicated exclusively to criminal-justice purposes under state law — which includes police, courts, prosecution, corrections, and related programs.

The local measure stems from Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2015, signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson in May 2025, which allows cities, towns, and counties to establish a 0.1-percent “local-option” tax for criminal justice funding. The law also created a new Local Law Enforcement Grant Program that rewards agencies meeting modern accountability and training standards.

According to the ordinance, the Wenatchee Police Department, under Chief Edgar Reinfeld, already meets those requirements. The department complies with statewide standards for use-of-force reporting, de-escalation training, firearm relinquishment procedures, crisis-intervention training, and data transparency.

The ordinance directs Mayor Mike Poirier and Chief Reinfeld to provide documentation to the state Criminal Justice Training Commission confirming compliance, keeping Wenatchee eligible for future grants.

The proposed ordinance would add a new Chapter 5.115 to the Wenatchee City Code. It is not subject to referendum and would take effect five days after publication in the city’s official newspaper if adopted.

A public hearing on the proposal will be held Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at 5:15 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 301 Yakima Street, Wenatchee. Residents may attend in person or submit written testimony to the City Clerk at the same address or by email at cityclerk@wenatcheewa.gov.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media