The sales tax in Kent will go up a bit in 2026 to pay for 10 new police officers.

The Kent City Council voted 7-0 on Sept. 16 to raise the sales tax 0.1% (1 cent on $10 purchase, 10 cents on $100 purchase) to pay for more police officers and four support positions. The annual revenue from the increase is an estimated $3.65 million, according to a presentation by City Finance Director Paula Painter to the council.

“It doesn’t fix our problem but it definitely helps,” Councilmember Bill Boyce said. “We want our citizens to be safe. I understand every dollar impacts a household, but it’s critical for public safety if people call (911) they get a response.”

Mayor Dana Ralph, who has heavily lobbied the state Legislature in Olympia the past two years to allow the city to raise the sales tax

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