Q&A: Why did Longview recently OK a new sales tax?

The Longview City Council recently approved a new law enforcement safety sales tax.

Here are the details behind the plan and the discussion leading up to its passage. Read the full article here:

Longview OKs nonexpiring sales tax to fund police, public defenders

The new tenth of one percent sales tax goes into effect on Jan. 1, and will be used to help the city hire three new police officers, hire an evidence technician and help offset rising costs for public defenders in criminal cases.

Q: How much is the tax?

The Longview City Council approved a new 0.1% public safety sales tax on Thursday. The tax will take effect Jan. 1 and is expected to fund three new police officers, an evidence technician and help cover rising public defender costs.

The increase adds a penny to every $10 spent in the city and does not expire. The "councilmatic" sales tax will let the city hire three new police officers, hire an evidence technician and will help offset rising costs for public defenders.

Longview's sales tax is currently the highest in Cowlitz County at 8.2% - a statewide rate of 6.5% plus 1.7% in local taxes. When the new tax goes into effect Jan. 1, it brings Longview's sales tax rate to 8.3%

Q: Why did city officials say the tax was needed?

City Manager Jennifer Wills said the money would directly support public safety services rather than serve as a general revenue source. She told councilmembers, "This is not something that's lining a pocket - it's an enhancement."

Wills also said the funding would help the city prepare for the hiring of needed public defenders over the next decade.

higher public defender expenses expected statewide and improve community safety.

Q: Who opposed the proposal and why?

Mayor Erick Halvorson was the only councilmember to oppose the tax increase. He argued the economic climate has changed since voters approved a previous law enforcement sales tax in 2024.

Halvorson also raised concerns about impacts on businesses, including car dealerships, and said residents should have a direct vote on the measure through an advisory ballot proposal.

Q: Why did other councilmembers support the tax?

Mayor Pro-tem Keith Young, who described the sales tax as less burdensome than alternatives such as property tax increases, supported the measure. He said a sales tax spreads costs among both residents and visitors who shop in Longview.

Councilmember Mike Claxton said delaying action on rising public defense costs could eventually force the city to reduce spending in other areas.

Q: How was the city able to approve the tax without a public vote?

The authority comes from House Bill 2015, passed by the Washington Legislature last year. The law allows cities to adopt a nonexpiring public safety sales tax through council action rather than requiring voter approval.

The legislation also makes cities eligible for certain state law enforcement grant programs administered through the Criminal Justice Training Commission. Cities have until June 2028 to adopt the tax for it to remain permanent.

Editor's note: This article was prepared with the help of AI using information collected and verified by The Daily News staff.

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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 6:38 PM.