Majority of Vancouver residents vote against levy that would increase police funding

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A majority of Vancouver voters have rejected a proposition that would further invest in police services by increasing property taxes for residents.

According to Clark County Elections results released on Tuesday afternoon, 47.71% of voters said “yes” to Proposition 4 while 52.29% said “no.” The proposition — which has been dubbed as the “police services levy" — would boost funding for the Vancouver Police Department.

“Public safety has consistently been a top issue for the community,” Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said in July. “This measure refers the first of a series of police services funding measures to meet the growing and changing demand for public safety services in Vancouver.”

City officials reported VPD has experienced a 30% rise in call volume and 86% rise in reported crimes since 2018. Leaders also note Vancouver has Washington’s second-lowest rate of police department staff, in cities with more than 100,000 residents.

As a result, Vancouver City Council unanimously endorsed the proposition in mid-September. A 13-member Police Advisory Committee spent months developing the proposed levy.

Officials reported that additional funding from the measure would cover up to 80 new full-time equivalent sworn officers and up to 36 full-time equivalent non-sworn positions. Leaders said additional funding could also help VPD upgrade certain technologies, maintain its facilities and expand the Homeless Assistance and Resources Team’s response.

If the proposition were approved, the city’s property tax levy would rise by $0.41 for every $1,000 of assessed value starting in 2025. The levy would increase by another 5% annually through 2030.

Local leaders project the levy would raise about $15.5 million just in its first year.

The Police Advisory Committee also proposed an excess facilities bond levy that would go into effect in 2016, and a public safety sales tax that would go into effect in 2028 or 2029.

City officials said they are still prioritizing public safety, despite preliminary results showing Proposition 4 has failed.

“Over the next few months, the department and City leadership will be looking at what services over time may need to be reduced while our population increases and the police department staffing remains the same,“ Interim Police Chief Troy Price added in a statement on Tuesday. "Your continued support will be needed as we navigate into the future."