The Ridgefield City Council held a Thursday, Sept. 18, workshop to examine funding options for public safety, focusing on a potential new 0.1% sales tax allowed under House Bill 2015 and the city’s ongoing pursuit of state and federal grants.
If enacted, the sales tax could generate about $350,000 annually for public safety purposes, according to staff. Like Ridgefield’s existing transportation benefit district (TBD) sales tax, it would apply to all shoppers in the city, including visitors from outside the community.
“(That) includes funding from anyone who visits and shops in Ridgefield. It’s not borne on the backs of Ridgefield residents,” Ridgefield Finance Manager Kirk Johnson told councilmembers.
Staff explained that Ridgefield has already applied for the state’s new public safety personnel grant, established under House Bill 2015, which offers $125,000 per officer per year for up to two years. The city requested funding for two additional officers. Separately, Ridgefield has also applied for the federal COPS hiring program, which provides up to $150,000 per officer over three years.
If both awards are received, staff said the grants could be “stacked,” using the state grant to fund the first year of salaries and benefits and the COPS funds to extend coverage into the following two years. Together, the grants could offset much of the cost of two new officers for three years, though neither program covers equipment or vehicles.
Staff cautioned that Ridgefield has applied for the COPS grant twice before without success, though recent changes in the scoring criteria may improve the city’s chances this year. They emphasized that timing also matters, as the state program could begin disbursing funds by early next year, while COPS awards are not expected until mid-2025.
Staff laid out financial pressures that have built in recent years. Judicial expenses such as court and public defense costs have jumped 23% in two years, while overall police department expenses rose 20%, an $811,000 increase, even with a few vacancies left unfilled.
Staff also noted that Washington has the lowest officer-to-resident ratio in the nation at 1.38 officers per 1,000 residents. Ridgefield currently employs 19 officers, including its chief and lieutenant, but meeting even the state average would require 22. Local businesses such as Parr Lumber and Rosauers have submitted letters supporting Ridgefield’s COPS grant application, citing theft concerns and the need for greater patrol presence.
Councilmembers weighed both the need and the timing.
“Overtime is a lot more expensive than having somebody working just regular,” Councilmember Judy Chipman said, noting roughly $147,000 the city has spent on overtime this year.
Staff emphasized that adopting the sales tax would not automatically commit those funds to staffing, but would give the council flexibility to direct revenues toward public safety services during the annual budget process. The grant programs, by contrast, can only be used for personnel.
Johnson said that if public safety costs rise faster than revenues, the city would have to get creative.
“So if public safety is a priority and we continue to increase the cost there, it's going to have to come out of other areas,” Johnson added. “Could be parks, could be streets. Those are things that are covered by the general fund as well.”
The workshop ended with a consensus to place the proposed sales tax ordinance on the council’s agenda for a first reading to begin a formal public process. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at 510 Pioneer St.
