Renton to raise sales tax for ‘criminal justice purposes’

Renton is moving forward with an additional sales tax that local leaders say will help combat crime in the city.

At the Sept. 22 Renton City Council meeting, the council had the first reading of an ordinance to authorize an additional 0.1 percent sales tax for “criminal justice purposes.”

The councilmanic implication of the sales tax is allowed under House Bill 2015, which passed earlier this year. To implement the sales tax, Renton and the Renton Police Department had to meet the requirements to receive a grant from the Local Law Enforcement Grant Program.

Earlier this year, Renton Government Affairs Manager Eric Perry said the funds from the tax should be designated to activities that assist the criminal justice system, but that could include many services such as domestic violence se