County to seek levy for law enforcement

Wahkiakum County officials are making plans to ask voters to approve a special levy to supplement law enforcement and criminal justice funding.

The levy is needed to cover reductions in state funding, proponents said Tuesday.

Sheriff Mark Howie said he has recently hired a new deputy (see story on Page 3), and another should join the department at the end of the month. However, the department will still be short two deputies from previous staffing levels, he said.

"Criminal justice funds have just plummeted in the last few years," he said.

The legislature, under orders from the Washington Supreme Court, is channeling funds into education, he continued. The county no longer receives a share of fines, and the 1 percent lid on property tax increases has kept tax revenue relatively flat while the cost of providing service has steadily risen.

Proponents originally planned to propose a five-year levy which would raise around $167,000 per year on an assessment of 39 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. It would need 60 percent voter approval to pass.

However, Assessor Bill Coons said the levy could be set for a maximum of six years, and because the county's real estate market is increasing, that the assessment would be close to 34 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.

"No higher than 39 cents," Coons said.

County commissioners said they support the levy proposal and they'll ask the prosecuting attorney to prepare a resolution upon which they can vote next week.

""Criminal justice funding to the county has been cut," said Commissioner Dan Cothren. "Money from citations all goes to the state. There's no county share.

"Personally, I think it (the levy) is a much needed thing. I'm in total support for it."

"As am I," said Commissioner Blair Brady.

The cost of county law enforcement and criminal justice programs has increased from 30 percent of the Current Expense Fund budget to about 70 percent, Brady said.

Brady added that the levy wouldn't affect the county's regular property tax levies.

"Hopefully it will make up the gap that we can't fund," he said. "Thank you. I've been advocating for this for years."

In response to a question, Howie said the levy would allow the department to restore 24-hour coverage and also a school resource officer. It would also allow the department to upgrade radios, computers and other equipment.