Island County approves four year law and justice levy for November ballot
The Island County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to place a modified law and justice property tax levy on the November general election ballot, a measure that would raise about 1.9 million dollars annually and is limited to law and justice spending. The levy is designed to address sheriff office staffing shortages, and commissioners say the shorter four year sunset and public feedback create accountability for residents who will decide in November.
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Island County commissioners voted unanimously to send a modified law and justice property tax levy to the November 2025 general election ballot, setting the stage for a community decision on funding public safety. The proposed levy would generate 1.9 million dollars a year, carry a four year sunset, and legally require that funds be used only for law and justice needs.
Sheriff Mark Brown supported placing the measure before voters, characterizing it as a necessary step to address staffing shortages within the sheriff's office. Commissioners cited public feedback and the shorter sunset as mechanisms for accountability, emphasizing that voters will have the opportunity to weigh in directly at the ballot box.
If approved by voters, the levy would increase property taxes by an estimated 17 cents per 1,000 dollars of assessed value. For example a homeowner with a 500,000 dollar assessed value would see an increase of about 85 dollars annually. The levy language restricts expenditures to law and justice purposes, aiming to ensure that revenue supports public safety operations rather than being redirected to other parts of the county budget.
The decision to put a modified levy on the ballot follows ongoing concerns among county officials about recruitment and retention in law enforcement ranks. Commissioners framed the measure as a response to those operational pressures, while also trying to balance fiscal responsibility through a limited term and clear spending constraints. The four year sunset means the levy would expire unless renewed by voters at a later date.
For Island County residents the immediate implications are twofold. Homeowners face a modest property tax increase if the measure passes, and the sheriff's office could gain a more stable funding stream to fill vacancies and manage workloads. Voters will evaluate whether the projected financial benefits to public safety justify the additional tax burden, and the ballot measure creates a direct mechanism for community oversight.
The ballot placement also underscores broader questions about how local governments fund law and justice services in the face of staffing challenges and rising costs. Island County residents will decide in November whether to approve the levy that county leaders say is targeted, time limited, and responsive to public input. The county will now move to public information and outreach ahead of the election so voters can consider the details before casting their ballots.
