Battle Ground City Council voted unanimously on November 17, 2025 to adopt the 0.1 percent sales tax that is supposed to go towards hiring additional officers. Though there was hesitation from Council who pushed for more analysis or public feedback. They chose to slide it in and passed it.
I attended November 3, 2025 City Meeting and opposed this tax. At this meeting, it was stated more Public feedback and further study was needed. So much for either one. They just went ahead and did it anyway. They weren’t wanting the public’s feedback or further analysis; they wanted it so they passed it.
This recent article states it will generate revenue of $500,000 in the first 9 months and roughly $667,000 per year thereafter. Nice chunk of money.
Two to possibly three additional officers will be hired.
How much does a Battle Ground officer earn per year?
Where is all this money going?
To pay for additional speed limit reduction signs that most likely will not change anything for the abundance of speeders around this town. $30,000-$40,000.00 was spent on those new signs. How’s it working so far? It’s not.
Now turn to page A5 of last week’s edition.
Battle Ground finalizes TAX EXEMPTION for Eaton Park. A 12-year tax exemption in exchange for 19 units that are considered so called affordable housing. 19 out of 95 units. A annual property tax exemption of roughly $21,850.00.
Must be nice.
Let it be known builders, corporations and franchises are receiving tax exemptions to come here and build. They receive that for 10-12 years. Wouldn’t we all like to get that for coming here?
With population growth comes crime, yet the citizens yet again are being burdened with providing dollars to increase safety by hiring additional officers instead of those creating it.
Let the Builders , Corporations and Franchises foot the bill.
Our roads are a mess, our schools are struggling, let them also pay towards that. Increase permit fees and impact fees. Stop these huge long lasting tax exemptions.
It is clear this Council does not want the input from the citizens and will continue to do whatever it wants to do.
Now here comes another Christmas Season where Battle Ground looks like SCROOGEVILLE compared to Camas, Ridgefield, La Center because they have no money. Perhaps you should have used the money for new reduced speed limit signs towards that.
No Holiday spirit whatsoever.
Propose a tax for a few years and I’ll be happy to pay that.
I’ve been here for 38 years and do not oppose growth if within limits and that doesn’t adversely affect the citizens and burden the citizens with the expense of that growth.
Janice Ferguson
Battle Ground
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