If approved by the voters, Proposition 4 would fund police and supporting services (staffing, equipment, technology, facilities, and related criminal justice costs)

VANCOUVER – On Monday (July 15), the Vancouver City Council unanimously approved a resolution to place Proposition 4, a levy to fund police services, on the Nov. 5 General Election ballot. 

“Public safety has consistently been a top issue for the community,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “This measure refers the first of a series of police services funding measures to meet the growing and changing demand for public safety services in Vancouver.”

If approved by the voters, Proposition 4 would fund police and supporting services (staffing, equipment, technology, facilities, and related criminal justice costs), including: 

• Add up to 80 full-time equivalent sworn officers in a range of ranks and assignments
• Add up to 36 full-time equivalent non-sworn police positions
• Equipment, technology, and vehicles consistent with current and future standards
• A traffic enforcement camera program
• Expand [www.cityofvancouver.us/hart]Homeless Assistance & Resources Team (HART) response
• Additional operating and related services, including the impact of the additional staffing on jail, corrections, and public defense
• Maintenance and facility expenses to provide police services
• Administrative and staffing costs related to police staff and services

The city’s 2024 general fund property tax levy is approximately $2.0897 per $1,000 of assessed value. The proposed levy lid lift would increase this levy by approximately $0.41/$1,000 of assessed value for 2025. The levy lid lift would be permanent and would authorize a 5% annual increase of the levy for six years. The estimated annual impact on the owner of a $500,000 home would be an additional $205 in property tax in the first year and $585 in 2030. 

To do this, voters will be asked to approve a permanent levy lid lift allowing the city to collect more than the limit factor established in chapter 84.55 of the Revised Code of Washington. 

The levy recommendation was developed with the 13-member Police Advisory Committee convened by the city manager, which met six times over three months in intensive meetings to help identify community safety needs, service gaps, and ways to improve policing and public safety. The committee’s findings were presented to the Council on July 1 and July 8. The Committee proposed the following funding approach: a permanent six-year property tax levy lid lift beginning in 2025, a facilities bond in 2026, and a public safety sales tax in 2028 to round out the police’s staffing needs. Read the committee’s report on the city’s website. 

The committee will continue working with the City Manager’s office to provide community transparency and accountability for the implementation of the levy if passed, as well as provide a forum for ongoing community understanding of evolving public safety needs in Vancouver.

The full language for Proposition 4:

PROPOSITION NO. 4 CITY OF VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES LEVY LID LIFT

This proposition, if passed, would fund police and supporting services, to include staffing, equipment, technology, facilities, and related criminal justice costs; increase Vancouver’s regular property tax $0.41/$1,000, for a maximum levy rate not to exceed $2.63/$1,000 of assessed valuation for 2025; set the limit factor for Vancouver’s total property tax levy for 2026-2030 to 100% plus annual increase of 5%; and authorize the 2030 levy amount as the basis to calculate subsequent levies (84.55 RCW). Should this proposition be approved?

Information provided by the city of Vancouver.