
Proposition 4 is a property tax levy lid lift that, if approved by voters, would be used to fund 80 additional full-time sworn officers and 36 additional full-time equivalent non-sworn police positions
VANCOUVER – On Monday (Sept. 16), the Vancouver City Council unanimously approved (with one recusal) a resolution expressing support for the Police Services Levy, Proposition 4, which is on the ballot for the Nov. 5 General Election. Read the complete Resolution language.
Proposition 4 is a property tax levy lid lift that, if approved by voters, would be used to fund 80 additional full-time sworn officers and 36 additional full-time equivalent non-sworn police positions; efficiency-enhancing technologies; support for jail, corrections, prosecution, and public defense resources; facilities investments necessary to support increased staffing and equipment and vehicles consistent with current and future community expectations.
The proposed levy lid lift would increase Vancouver’s regular property tax levy by approximately $0.41/$1,000 assessed value, for a maximum levy rate not to exceed $2.63/$1,000 for 2025; set the limit for Vancouver’s total regular property tax levy for 2026-2030 to 100% plus an annual increase of 5% and authorize the 2030 levy amount as the basis to calculate future levies. In the first year, the levy lift is estimated to raise approximately $15.5 million.
Proposition 4 was placed on the ballot to address the increased demand for police services in Vancouver. This is the first step in a three-step funding approach recommended by the Vancouver Police Advisory Committee. Expected next steps include a facilities bond in 2026 and a public safety sales tax in 2028.
Consistent with state law, the Vancouver City Council may express a collective position regarding any ballot proposition. The Vancouver City Council has now done so by passing Resolution M-4297 expressing its support in favor of passing Proposition 4.
Ballots must be deposited into an official ballot drop site by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5, or they can be mailed if postmarked no later than Nov. 5. To register to vote or check your registration, visit clark.wa.gov/elections.
Information provided by the city of Vancouver.
Also read:
- Local school bus driver appeals to National Labor Relations Board to end ‘Merger Doctrine’Battle Ground bus driver challenges union merger blocking vote to end forced dues.
- DOGE says it has saved taxpayers $55 billion so farElon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency reports $55 billion in taxpayer savings through federal budget cuts and efficiency measures.
- Opinion: Part 1 – Basic education in Washington state; A primerDick Rylander and Larry Roe provide an overview of Washington’s constitutional obligations and funding structure for K-12 education.
- Letter: Thinking about purchasing Long-Term Care Insurance?Anna Miller of Camas shares her experience with long-term care insurance, highlighting unexpected premium hikes and policy changes.
- County Council releases $1 million for Down Payment Assistance Program for first-time homebuyersClark County re-launches its Down Payment Assistance Program, offering up to $60,000 in aid for first-time homebuyers who meet eligibility requirements.
- Education Committee approves Rep. Stephanie McClintock’s bipartisan bill to assess why students are leaving public schoolsA bipartisan bill from Rep. Stephanie McClintock aims to survey parents on why students are leaving public schools, aiming to improve student retention and education policies.
- Letter: ‘Another day, another bad bill’Julia Dawn Seaver critiques HB 1399, warning it could eliminate protections for incarcerated women by making jails and prisons co-ed.