TUMWATER, Wash. — It's going to cost money to fix and maintain the streets of Tumwater, so for the next 10 years consumers in the city will pay an extra two pennies, or 8 1/2 cents, for every dollar they spend on taxable goods.
Voters in Tumwater approved the new tax by more than 68 percent in a citywide initiative on Tuesday. The margin of victory was a surprise for city administrator John Doan, who expected something closer to 50 percent. “We were, I’d say, cautiously optimistic,” said Doan.
The higher sales tax is in keeping with a trend across Washington state. According to the state Department of Revenue, a lot of cities are raising cash by raising local sales taxes. The DOR says there are now 25 different types of local sales taxes in the state tacked on top of the statewide sales tax of 6.5 cents per dollar.
Nationally Washington has fifth-highest combined sales tax in U.S. at an average of 8.89 percent. The highest combined sales tax is in Seattle at 9.6 percent, the lowest is in Stevens and Wahkiakum counties at 7.6 percent.
People in Tumwater are greeting news of the new tax with mixed feelings. "I use the road every day, just about," said Benjamin Tindall. "I think it's my job to help pay for them."
Leslie Johnson, whose family owns a concrete business, said she’s not opposed to the tax, but she'd rather see the city try to get a better deal on roadwork.
“I think we need to get more aggressive with contract selection when it comes to repairing roads,” said Johnson.
Doan said funds from the new tax won’t be available until December.