Seattle sales tax could hit 10.45% after council OKs increase for public safety

Seattle’s sales tax could hit 10.45% — one of the highest in the country.

The Seattle City Council approved a 0.1% public safety tax increase on Tuesday, which now awaits Mayor Bruce Harrell’s signature. Harrell must sign it by Oct. 18 to lock in full revenue.

The new tax would raise $39 million next year for public safety, including $7.5 million for addiction treatment and crisis response teams. The entire council voted in favor of the tax hike, except for Councilmember Maritza Rivera, who claimed it would hurt low-income families.

“Today, recovery wins! These progressive investments will save lives and fill gaping holes in our response to Seattle’s drug crisis. I’ve led the charge to put addiction treatment at the center of the city’s agenda because the fentanyl epidemic and addictio