Clark County Proposition No. 13

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Statement For · Sue Marshall

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Committee: Ann Donnelly, Chair

To have safe communities, we must have sufficient, highly trained law enforcement and corrections personnel. Clark County’s population has grown, but public safety staffing has not kept pace. The deteriorating 42-year-old Clark County Jail requires additional corrections officers to operate safely. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has one of the lowest deputy-to-population ratios in Washington and the lowest among local law enforcement agencies in Clark County. As Sheriff’s staffing shortages have increased, emergency response times have grown, patrol coverage has been reduced, detectives have been reassigned from investigations to patrol, and some lower-priority crimes no longer receive an in-person response. Likewise, serious safety and health issues in the jail are increasing. We owe all of them safety. Sufficient and visible law enforcement and jail staff are ultimately a deterrent to repeat crime, supporting compliance and treatment. This measure would fund additional sheriff deputies, correction officers, professional support staff, prosecuting attorney staff, and other criminal justice services. These investments will improve emergency response capacity, maintain essential public safety services, support the safe operation of an expanded county jail, and meet the needs of Clark County’s growing population. Why is this cost - approximately $212 per year per median household - needed now? Because delay increases both cost and risk. Public safety depends on having enough trained personnel to quickly respond to emergencies, investigate serious crimes, operate a safe and secure jail, and provide the services residents expect now and in the future.

Rebuttal of argument against

A larger jail cannot operate without people working in it. Proposition 13 is about more than staffing a future jail. It adds urgently needed Sheriff’s deputies, corrections officers, prosecutors, and other criminal justice staff. Proposition 12 would fund the jail expansion. Proposition 13 staffs that expansion. Public safety requires both: adequate facilities and enough trained people to operate them and serve our growing community. Delay will increase costs and jeopardize safety for our community.

Statement Against · Margaret Tweet, Chair

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Committee: Margaret Tweet, Chair

If approved, Proposition13 would authorize Clark County to levy property taxes in excess of limitations in RCW 84.55. The Property Tax Levy Rate would lift from $0.71 per $1000 of value to $1.15 per $1000 value in 2027. That’s 62% higher! A property assessed at $600,000 would pay ~$690 for 2027 county property taxes, an increase of ~$264. Recently, a County Council majority has raised county property taxes annually, and could continue annual tax hikes in future years. Proposition13 would support staffing for Proposition12, an approximately $366,204,000 jail expansion. It’s premature to raise taxes to staff a jail expansion that’s not yet approved by voters! Reject Proposition13 to staff the jail project until voters first approve capital costs for jail expansion. In April 2026, Clark County Council separately approved a 0.1% Sales Tax for Criminal Justice. These funds are planned for additional Sheriff Officers, Jail Corrections Officers, Juvenile Detention Officers, court and support staff. County employees are too expensive to hire in advance. County salaries and benefits include retirement, health, life & disability insurance, holidays, vacation days that accrue, etcetera. Taxing districts for Fire & EMS, Schools, Cities, Ports, Libraries etc. can also request tax hikes. Each tax increase for multiple tax districts adds up to higher property taxes, adversely impacting homeowners and businesses. Rental rates increase when property taxes rise. Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, and others may qualify for property tax exemptions or reductions; applications are required. See County Assessor Department, https://clark.wa.gov/assessor/property-tax-relief-programs

Rebuttal of argument for

The statement against was written prior to being allowed to see the statement in favor. After reading the statement in favor, the committee would have disbanded, or withdrawn the statement against, but that’s not allowed under administrative rules. The statement favoring Proposition#13 offers numerous strong reasons to Approve it now, regardless of whether the jail expansion is approved. If the jail expansion is passed, additional criminal justice officers and staff will also be needed.