Aye: 4 - Buchanan, Elenbaas, Stremler, and Boyle
Nay: 3 - Galloway, Rienstra, and Scanlon
Elenbaas moved to hold. The motion was seconded by Stremler.
Elenbaas spoke about why he would like to hold this item, and stated he
would like the public to have a chance to weigh in on whether they would
just like the Council to pass this or if they would like to speak to it at the
ballot box (see AB2026-259 under Introduction).
The following people discussed the motion with the councilmembers:
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Kimberly Thulin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
Steve Harris, Undersheriff
Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council
They discussed whether it could go on a ballot in the primary or general
election if it were put on the ballot and how that might interact with budget
discussions if it is put on the August ballot, that the Executive would have to
prepare the budget without this revenue which would cause departments to
absorb the costs outlined in Scanlon’s proposed version (AB2026-255 under
Items Added by Revision) of the ordinance, that this is repealable by
referendum, if they want to keep the public hearing open and if they want to
note a specific date about when they would discuss this next, the three
options (ordinances) before them, a hesitation to hold because they have a
deadline to submit their intention to the State Department of Revenue, that
the Elenbaas/Stremler version (AB2026-259, added Introduction item) has
not had an opportunity for legal review, the importance of getting public
input, that public safety is a broad term and refers to more than just deputies
on the ground, when they could get legal analysis to see if putting this on
the ballot is an option before they have opted not to do this
councilmanically, that eligibility for the statewide grant program does not
require the passage of this sales tax ordinance and the Sheriff’s Office’s
intent is to have their grant application completed by March 31st, thinking
about cuts the Sheriff would have to make in order to absorb $4-5 million,
that they could potentially have three public hearings on April 14 and would
have to take action on that date if they want the tax to start in July, that
January would be the soonest a tax could go into effect if it was on a ballot,
that they have until 2028 to pass it councilmanically, language in the
Revised Code of Washington regarding how the tax can be passed, what date
they should schedule for continued public hearing and discussion of
whether they want to put the tax on the ballot, and whether a hearing can be
held at a special meeting.
