Kent City Council approved a new sales tax and accepted several grants at their meeting on September 16, 2025. The new sales tax, a 0.01% increase, was unanimously approved to help fund public safety.
The council also accepted several grants, including ones to fund a DUI officer and a road preservation project.
During public comments, a speaker reminded the council about the upcoming Week Without Driving challenge.
New Sales Tax Approved
In accordance with House Bill 2015, cities that are qualified and eligible can now increase sales tax by .01%, with the proceeds to fund public safety. Though they expressed reservations about an increase in tax, the council unanimously approved this ordinance. It was explained that ever since the state changed the funding structure in 2008, the lack of retail business in Kent has severely hurt the city’s funding. Kent has many businesses that are vital to the state’s economy, but those are primarily industrial and warehouse businesses that don’t generate sales tax, leaving Kent hurting for funds.
Since 2008, the state has given Kent mitigation funds to ease the burden of the tax changes. However, the mitigation was a smaller and smaller amount of money each year, and these funds will come to an end altogether in June, 2026, despite the city’s many pleas over the years. The city has also requested the state to increase public safety funding. This new sales tax increase is not much, but it’s the best they have offered to help pay for public safety.
The money will be used to hire ten new officers, one corrections officer, an evidence custodian, a prosecutor, and a defense attorney. According to Chief Rafael Padilla, the city will still be short about 20 to 25 officers, compared to what a city this size should have. Padilla said that Washington State ranks 51st in the nation in terms of officers per capita, with Kent in the bottom third in the state. He added that Kent has a disproportionate need for officers, with a higher volume of 911 calls than other cities.
Chief Padilla said he would like to do more preventative policing, rather than officers constantly responding to calls. He said when call response time is slow, people stop reporting crimes. In addition, the too small police force leads to officer burnout under high pressure and overtime schedules.
If the state gives its approval, new officers could be hired in the new year. January 1st, 2026 is the soonest this sales tax would go into effect, costing average households an estimated $24 per yearin sales tax. While recognizing that this isn’t as much public safety funding as the police need to be fully staffed, Chief Padilla did offer assurance that the community would feel the difference of the increase in public safety with ten new officers on the force.
Committee Of The Whole – Grants Accepted
Kent was awarded several grants, including one that will fund a dedicated DUI officer for two more years. The $200,000 annual grant comes from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Kent has been the recipient of this grant this year on a trial basis, and the council was happy to see the funding continue.
In addition, another Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant was extended, this one for $125,000. This money funds public education, in schools as well as on streets, with the aim of reducing speeding. They said driving education in schools has dropped significantly in recent years, and this program will bring back an emphasis on safe driving for young people.
Another grant, this one worth $6.641 million, will fund the James Street Preservation Project, from Washington Ave N. to Central Ave N. This is a high traffic corridor, with the pavement currently in terrible condition. In addition to repaving the road, the grant will cover improvements to sidewalks, and installation of crossing signals and ramps. Construction is slated to begin January 2027.
A Washington Department of Transportation Safe Routes To Schools grant will fund $3 million to construct a roundabout with enhanced crosswalks at 64th Ave S. and S. 236th Street. Bike lanes will also be installed, completing planned connections with existing bike lanes.
Week Without Driving
During Public Comments, a speaker reminded everyone about the upcoming Week Without Driving. This annual challenge will take place from Sept. 29 through Oct. 5, and participants and groups can sign up at the link above.
Here’s more from the website of the organizers:
“We created the Week Without Driving experience so that those who have the option to drive can learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that nondrivers face and work with nondrivers to create more accessible communities for all.”
