As a result of several joint meetings earlier this year, the City Council and County Commission recently agreed to jointly request the voters approve a sales tax increase (3/10 of one cent) to pay for a larger jail, larger police station and an additional courtroom. The tax increase (representing three cents on a $10 purchase) would expire when the debt is paid off, expected to be 25 years.
The joint effort reflects the mutual responsibilities of the city and county in dealing with the effects of the tremendous growth in Pasco over the past 20 years. During those 20 years, Pasco’s crime rate has been driven down from its high of 160 (per thousand population) in 1988 to its current historic low of 35 (lower than the state and national average). Meanwhile, “calls for service” from Pasco’s citizens have doubled, from nearly 27,000 in 1998 to more than 54,000 last year. In order to keep up with the demand for police services, the city has added 22 police officers over the past 10 years alone.
All of the additional police activity has resulted in more court filings, to assure that those who violate the law are held accountable. Pasco municipal court’s filings (misdemeanors) have more than doubled, jumping from 4,200 in 1998 to more than 10,000 last year (and it continues to grow each year). The city’s 40-year lease of a county courtroom will expire in 2012, when the county will need to use the existing courtroom to absorb the growth in superior and district court activity.
The current jail was designed in 1985 to hold 105 prisoners – it is consistently holding at least 200 inmates every day and the length of jail terms for crimes in the community are being influenced by the lack of sufficient jail space. A 30-year projection indicates the need to house another 200 inmates. Construction of such a facility next to the old jail will cost an estimated $20 million and renovation of the old jail another $5 million.
The sales tax increase is estimated to generate $1.9 million to the county and another $1.2 million to the city each year. The county will dedicate its portion to pay off the jail construction debt, while the city would do the same for its police station and courtroom. Sales tax growth over time, could be used for other public safety purposes (law enforcement, fire protection, emergency communications, etc.).
