Vancouver leaders propose hefty budget increase for city police by 2030
The proposal would lead to a higher cost of living and fund more positions within VPD, among other investments.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Vancouver leaders have determined the city’s law enforcement agency would need a hefty budget boost by 2030 to improve staffing and “meet the needs of [the] rapidly growing community.”
According to the report the Police Community Advisory Committee released on July 1, Vancouver City Manager Eric Holmes proposed that the police department hire 80 more personnel.
The department currently has 116 full-time employees, including 69 officers and detectives, eight sergeants, two lieutenants, one commander and 36 staff members that aren’t sworn in. The ongoing annual cost of these employees ranges anywhere from $102,000 to $340,000, the report said.
Based on the proposed staffing increase and other potential investments in new programs and technology, the advisory committee found that VPD would need an extra $36 million each year by 2030. The current annual budget sits at $76 million.
“The proposed funding approach would include an initial six-year property tax levy lid lift in 2024, followed by a facilities bond in 2026 and a public safety sales tax in 2028,” the report said.
The first levy would raise property taxes to $0.41 for every $1,000 of assessed value starting in 2025, and then increase another 5% for the next five years.
Meanwhile, the potential facilities bond would impose a levy between $70 million and $100 million in 2026. The committee said any excess funds from the levy would be in place until after the debt service expires, which is “typically 20 years after the bonds are issued.”
The final proposed levy would result in a sales tax set at one-tenth of 1%, which could garner $7.4 million in 2023.
While the first two proposals would require voter approval, the report said officials might not need a ballot measure to approve the sales tax due to legislative action from the city and other state agencies.
Vancouver’s police advisory committee noted that these proposed taxes would increase the cost of living for all residents.
“It is also hard to predict the electoral landscape with a high degree of certainty,” the committee wrote. “While voters have historically supported public safety measures in Vancouver, including the passage of Proposition 2 to support fire and emergency medical services in 2022, things may change between now and 2030.”