Picture of a stack of various receipts, secured with a pin, on a light green surface. (https://www.freeimages.com/photo/notes-stacked-together-1687711).

The Renton City Council is considering an additional sales tax to support public safety, as allowed by a recently passed state law.

As a strategy to meet the needs of a growing Renton, Eric Perry, the city’s government affairs manager, presented the possibility of the city imposing a 0.1 percent sales tax at the Aug. 4 committee, which basically means they are trying to make things slightly pricier.

Renton is undergoing tax sales because King County has prepared for the criminal justice and public safety sales tax. Renton voters accepted the demand for a sales tax within 12 months.

The police department has been getting complaints about this new sales tax policy. Eric Perry said that “many agencies across the country are exploring sales tax possibilities.” This could be our hope for better or worse.

Eric Perry also said, “The Renton police are currently looking for better ways to serve the Renton community and work in resource centers that will provide additional resources to continue this trend,” which essentially means that the Renton city council is considering a new sales tax to help fund criminal justice needs; however, this also involves seeking grants to offer 100 million dollars for local public safety.