Kent Voters to see Police Levy Again on November Ballot

It's official. Kent voters will again cast ballots on a proposed 0.25 percent income tax increase that would pay to build a new Kent Police station.

Kent City Council voted Wednesday to send the issue back to the ballot in what was council's final action on the issue.

Now, one year after voters rejected the idea of a tax hike to build a new police department they will be asked the same question.

In November 2012 voters rejected Issue 11, which would have raised Kent's income tax from 2 percent to 2.25 percent to pay to build an estimated $18.36 million police building in the Day Street block. Kent residents cast 4,240 votes for the tax increase and 5,163 against the tax.

There are two differences in what voters rejected in November 2012 and what they will see on the ballot this coming November.

The proposed tax increase, if approved, would generate $1.3 million annually to pay debt service for the new building.

The new ballot issue includes a sunset provision, which means the tax increase — if approved — would expire in December 2038.

And the new ballot issue would be used only to pay for the police station. The previous ballot issue included language that stipulated excess revenue generated annually by the tax increase would contribute to street repairs.