In the August 2018 primary election, Marysville voters will be asked whether they support an additional .1% sales tax (one-tenth of one percent, or 10 cents on a $100 purchase) to build a new Police Services Building including jail that would replace a facility built in 1986 that is undersized for our growing city’s current and future needs. The City Council at its meeting Monday evening, April 9, unanimously approved submitting this ballot measure for a public vote. 

The Marysville jail is only one of two misdemeanor jail facilities in Snohomish County and an integral part of the city’s public safety strategy. Without such a facility, Marysville Police would lose the ability to immediately arrest individuals for most misdemeanor crimes. 

The current Public Safety Building was built in 1986 and funded through a voter-approved bond that was paid off over 30 years. At time of voter approval, the city had about 8,000 residents. Now Marysville has 67,000 residents, is one of the fastest growing cities in the state and is expected to maintain rapid growth in the years ahead. 

If voters approve, the .1% sales tax increase could provide the city about $800,000 in annual revenues, about 70% of the estimated annual debt payment of $1.138 million for a bond-funded new Police Services Building. The remaining 30% of the debt payment would come from the city’s General Fund. 

“Over the next few months, we will work hard to provide as much information as possible to our public on the proposed building and its role in community safety,” said Gloria Hirashima, Marysville’s Chief Administrative Officer. 

You can find more detailed information about the ballot measure and proposed project at http://www.marysvillewa.gov/972/Criminal-Justice-Tax-Proposal. Ballots are due Aug. 7.