Commissioners reject sales tax to fund housing, behavioral health programs
By Dan Thesman on Friday, August 16th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA COUNTY – The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners has chosen not to pass a sales tax increase to fund affordable housing and behavioral health programs.
The increase would have come through House Bill 1590, a state law which enables local governments to use sales tax to address the housing crisis. Across the county, it would have raised sales tax by 0.1 percent and have raised over $1 million a year.
The county commissioners opted to put the choice to voters through a ballot measure, which they have the authority to do themselves.
Blue Mountain Action Council CEO Danielle Garbe Reser said she was disappointed with the commissioner’s decision.
“If they had passed this initiative, it would have sped up the process to make these funds available in our community so we could build more housing and build more mental health facilities,” she said.
Garbe Reser added that enacting HB 1590 would have enabled the county to qualify for matching state funds. Ultimately, Walla Walla County residents could see a ballot measure regarding HB 1590 as early as next spring.
