What is Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST)?

In August of 2014, voters in Benton County, WA approved a county-wide increase of 0.3% to the sales and use tax rate for public safety. The new tax rate was implemented in January of 2015 and is dedicated towards current and future criminal justice needs within Benton County including the hiring of additional police officers, corrections officers, and prosecutors; funding for the Metro Drug Task Force and gang and crime prevention efforts. The tax also funds court and clerk programs including a seventh Superior Court Judge and drug and mental health courts.

What Programs are Funded in Richland by Public Safety Sales Tax?

In Richland the PSST increased the retail sales tax rate to 8.6% in 2015.  The Public Safety Sales Tax allowed for safety improvements and additional public safety staff throughout the City In Richland. This tax provides funding for 15.3 Public Safety FTEs, funding for the METRO Drug Task Force and our local Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) office, among other programs and equipment that keep our community safe. 

Public Safety Sales Tax Revenues & Expenditures

2015 Revenues and Expenditures

2016 Revenues and Expenditures

2017 Revenues and Expenditures

2018 Revenues and Expenditures

2019 Revenues and Expenditures

2020 Revenues and Expenditures

2021 Revenues and Expenditures

2022 Revenues and Expenditures

2023 Budget