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Skagit County debates creating new sales tax towards public safety.

Skagit County debates creating new sales tax towards public safety.

Photo: Saga Communications


SKAGIT COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A third municipality in the northwestern part of our state is weighing the chance to create a sales tax for criminal justice.

The Skagit County Commissioners will be holding a public hearing next Tuesday, Oct. 28 on whether to implement a 0.1% sales tax.

The tax would go towards public safety within the county.

It comes after the state legislature passed a bill this session to allow local governments to create a tax to fund criminal justice if they meet the requirements.

My Bellingham Now previously reported Bellingham and Lynden passed ordinances to install the sales tax in their jurisdictions upon approval from the Criminal Justice Training Commission.

If approved, the sales tax would go into effect on March 15, 2026, and cost $1 per $100 purchase made in the county.

Skagit’s public hearing will be held at 3:30 p.m. on the 28th at the Commissioners’ Hearing Room in Mount Vernon.

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