Proposition 4: Police Services Levy
To address the growing demand for police services in Vancouver, in July the City Council unanimously voted to approve a resolution referring a property tax levy lid lift that if approved, will fund police, public safety, and related services.
Paying for public safety services
How was the levy developed?
The levy lid lift recommendation was developed by a 13-member Police Advisory Committee of Vancouver residents convened by the City Manager. The committee met six times over three months to help identify community safety needs, service gaps, and ways to improve policing and public safety. 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.
Increased demand for Police services in Vancouver
Community growth has contributed to a 30% increase in call volume for police services and an 87% increase in reported crimes since 2018.
Vancouver is the second lowest staffed police department among Washington cities with 100,000+ people. Total authorized sworn police positions per 1,000 community members:
- Everett 1.88
- Tacoma 1.64
- Spokane 1.53
- Federal Way 1.5
- Seattle 1.38
- Bellevue 1.29
- Renton 1.23
- Spokane Valley 1.22
- Vancouver 1.21
- Kent 1.19
Complex calls divert resources
In addition to higher call volume, the increasing complexity of calls frequently requires multiple officers for extended periods, resulting in the diversion of resources from other parts of the City.
A complex call requires multiple police resources to contain an area, de-escalate or defuse a situation, optimize safety, or investigate a crime. The daily number of incidents that require six or more patrol officers to respond to a single call has more than doubled since 2017, to more than nine incidents per day. During these calls, more than half of all available patrol resources from a specific precinct are required at a single call for service.
Examples of recent complex calls
Over the summer, several incidents required an expanded response from VPD. Here are a few examples illustrating how one call can quickly require more than one responding unit.
Sept. 9
Threats of shooting outside a high school, two armed males arrested
A student reported threats of a school shooting posted on social media. The threat appeared credible and was targeted to a specific student. While investigating, patrol officers located and arrested two males who were on the campus, approaching the school armed with loaded firearms. Both were arrested.
VPD Units: 8
Total time on scene: 27.4 hours
August 23/24
Male armed with a knife slashing tires in a neighborhood
A man went on a tire-slashing spree and slashed tires on 52 vehicles, causing an excess of $14,500 in damage. Extensive follow-up with victims and documentation of all damage was required.
VPD Units: 23 VPD personnel
Total Time on Scene by VPD Units: 19.3 Hours
Sept. 5
Man in crisis rescued from Columbia River
A community member noticed a naked man swimming far out in the river. He quickly jumped on his jet ski, brought the man back to shore, and called 911. When police and paramedics arrived, the man, who appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis, walked back toward the river and swam approximately 200 yards from the shore. Vancouver Fire deployed their boat to aid the responding police officers. They rescued the hypothermic man and transported him to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.
VPD Units: 8
Total Time on Scene by VPD Units: 5.3 Hours
Other Responding Units: Vancouver Fire plus crew from Fire Boat 1, AMR, Port of Portland Marine Unit
What will Proposition 4 pay for?
Proposition 4 would fund increased staff and supportive services, 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
- Efficiency-enhancing technologies
- 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
- Expand Homeless Assistance & Resources Team (HART) response
- Equipment, technology, and vehicles consistent with current and future standards
- Administrative and staffing costs related to police staff and services
How much will Proposition 4 raise?
In the first year, the levy lift is estimated to raise approximately $15.5 million; in 2030, it will raise approximately $36 million.
How much will Proposition 4 cost?
The City’s 2024 general fund property tax levy is approximately $2.0897 per $1,000 of assessed value. The Proposition 4 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 authorize a 5% annual levy increase for six years. The estimated 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.
What is a levy lid lift?
The purpose of a lid lift is to allow additional property taxes to be collected when the amount allowable has been reached under the City’s levy authority. A levy limit may be exceeded when authorized by a majority of the voters voting on a proposition to “lift the lid” of the levy limit as described in the Revised Code of Washington 84.55.050. For Proposition 4, in the first year, there is a $0.41/1,000 increase; this is the amount allowable under what Vancouver has left under its levy authority. For the next five years, the amount raised will be 5% of all the property tax revenue of the city, which is the lid lift. For more information on levy lid lifts, see Section 458-19-045 of the Washington Administrative Code.
When is the election?
Proposition 4 is on the General Election ballot scheduled for Nov. 5.
Military and Overseas ballots will be mailed out on Sept. 20 and regular ballots will be mailed out and available in the Elections Office on Oct. 18. Ballots must be deposited into an official ballot drop site by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5, or they can be mailed if postmarked no later than Nov. 5. If you need to register to vote or check your registration, visit clark.wa.gov/elections.
News
- September 16 – Vancouver City Council votes to endorse Proposition 4
- July 16 – City Council approves resolution to place police services levy, Proposition 4, on November ballot
