OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Study Session – August 18, 2026

City Council Study Session — Tuesday, August 18, 2026
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council Study Session
DateTuesday, August 18, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:50:54
Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Good afternoon.

0:04

I'd like to call to order the city council study session of August 18th, 2026.

0:08

Clerk, please call the roll.

0:09

Deputy Mayor Bushnell.

0:10

President.

0:11

Councilmember Diaz.

0:12

Councilmember Heinz.

0:14

Councilmember Palmer.

0:15

Councilmember Rumba, absent.

0:17

Councilmember Sidalgay?

0:19

Councilmember Scott.

0:21

Absent Councilmember Walker.

0:23

Absent Mayor Ibsen.

0:25

Here.

0:25

Our first agenda item is an update on the public safety sales tax.

0:28

I'd like to call on City Manager Kim to get begin the discussion.

0:31

And we also have Chief Jackson, Chief Stallings, and Director Asparza.

0:38

Mayor Ipson, thank you very much.

0:40

Deputy Mayor, members of council staff is here today to provide an update in regards to the public safety sales tax.

0:48

We discussed in earnest last fall, as well as in January when the council took councilmatic action to pass this sales tax that we would come to you in the summer to discuss what we're doing, what we're proposing, and have start the discussions, Mayor.

1:04

So we'll start with the first slide here.

1:18

And as the slide comes up here, just for background, Mayor, Deputy Mayor Council.

1:28

It's coming up.

1:29

Gotcha.

1:30

I'll just I'll ad hoc to speak to this.

1:33

For background for the public who's listening today.

1:37

The public safety sales tax was authorized under RCW 82.14.345 State House Bill 2020.

1:47

This permits cities and counties to enact a 0.01% sales tax increase for the purposes of criminal justice purposes.

1:56

And as defined, it's quite uh broad in terms of what the dollars the sales tax to be paid for.

2:02

Um some examples here domestic violence services and programs, public defense staffing, diversion programs, re-entry work for inmates, uh, local government programs that reasonably contribute to reducing the number of people interacting with the criminal justice system, uh, community placement for juvenile offenders, community outreach and assistance programs, alternative response programs, and other mental health crisis response.

2:25

So it's quite broad in terms of what the purpose is for public safety at the end of the day, how how to actually uh impact and also potentially get more officers.

2:34

There was a stated purpose to this, which I'll speak to when it comes to the grants uh portion of uh the authorizing uh legislation.

2:41

Um benefits for Tacoma the passage through councilmatic action in January.

2:51

The tax became effective for us on April 1st.

2:55

Um it is projected to generate about 16 million dollars on a biannual basis, so about $8 million per year.

3:03

This uh also supports um Tacoma's eligibility for state grants enshrined within um House Bill 2015.

3:12

It is a specific grant portion for $100 million to hire and retain police officers and staff.

3:19

Um so that is the background.

3:21

Um April to now, we've collected about 1.3 million dollars uh year to date.

3:27

Um we're generating about $600,000 worth of sales tax at this point, and we anticipate ending with some fund balance in this uh in this actual revenue source that is not yet been appropriated by council.

3:40

And just for background, uh mayor, deputy mayor, council, um this is very much like many other um revenue options for the city.

3:48

We'd like to collect the proceeds and have it as a uh smoothing action, have those funds available for us to actually have the actual receipts.

3:55

So it's not something that we're recommending today that we would expend those dollars or obligate those dollars through a budget amendment or at this time.

4:01

We'd like to see what we collect as we move forward.

4:04

The discussions today as far as the proposals are for uh this next biennium.

4:11

So with that, I am advancing the slide here.

4:16

Let's try one more time.

4:19

Thanks, Anna.

4:21

Okay, perfect.

4:22

Before we go to the actual proposals, I just want to briefly just discuss um just over the summer.

4:27

Um I have Director Esparza, our chief of police and and chief of fire.

4:32

We work closely with fire police and neighborhood community services and our other departments to determine the most effective and comprehensive ways in which we can approach recommendations to this body for consideration.

4:44

Um as these funds are made available through the sales tax.

4:47

We want to recognize that this is an opportunity for council to uh both reinforce and potentially look at other priorities when it comes to community safety.

5:00

And so we took these planning sessions to heart to say what can we provide to do both uh the most good with these dollars as proposed, along with the potential for addressing city council priorities.

5:11

So I will speak to that a little bit more.

5:13

Um we are in in the midst of developing our biannual budget and council priorities, council uh this is coming at a time where we're coming with proposals today for these revenues.

5:28

Um this will be adopted through the budgetary process, so there will be many opportunities for council in workshop to to let us know there may be things that come up that you would want to prioritize funding for.

5:38

So there's options.

5:39

So I just want to preface the proposals that I'm bringing to you today.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████████████████████38%
Labor Standards████████████████16%
Public Finance██████████████14%
Arts And Culture█████████9%
Public Engagement██████6%
Workforce Development████4%
Economic Development███3%
Community Engagement███3%
Public Works███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Study Session – August 18, 2026

The Tacoma City Council held a study session on August 18, 2026, to discuss several policy items including the Public Safety Sales Tax implementation, the Tacoma Public Safety Partnership, a policy proposal for improving local hire and apprenticeship outcomes, a sponsorship request for Nourish Pierce County, and a city flag competition. No formal votes were taken; these items are expected to return for action at future meetings.

Public Safety Sales Tax Update

  • City Manager Hyun Kim presented two proposals for allocating the estimated $16 million biennial ($8 million per year) revenue from the 0.01% public safety sales tax, effective April 1, 2026. The tax is projected to generate about $1.3 million year-to-date.
  • Proposal One ($12.4 million general fund offset) includes: $1.5 million for body-worn and in-car camera systems; $1 million increase for Department of Assigned Counsel (indigent defense); a 25% match ($508,000) for a state grant to hire 12 entry-level officers plus support staff (grant award $4.6 million); two youth engagement officers in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools ($334,239 from TPS) and Downtown Tacoma Partnership; $168,000 for third-party testing proctors; and $12.4 million in general fund offsets.
  • Proposal Two ($13.4 million general fund offset) includes: $1.1 million for HEAL team personnel costs; $1 million for Department of Assigned Counsel; the same grant match; and $13.4 million in general fund offsets. The HEAL team funding would preserve service levels and reduce pressure on the mental health/substance use disorder fund.
  • Chief Patti Jackson stated that the grant-funded officers would be retained through natural attrition after the grant period (June 2027). The department currently has 14 vacancies.
  • Councilmembers questioned the school partnership, the grant’s sustainability, the impact on alternative response programs, and the need for clear public messaging. No direction was given; the proposals will be incorporated into the broader budget process.

Tacoma Public Safety Partnership

  • Chief Jackson introduced a new 18-month pilot initiative, the Tacoma Public Safety Partnership (TPSP), designed to strengthen community-police relationships through a 12- to 15-member community advisory group. The program will include monthly meetings, case study reviews, and recognition of officer excellence.
  • The initiative has no additional budget ask; staff will adjust schedules to participate. Labor unions have expressed support. Councilmembers praised the program’s transparency and accountability goals, with suggestions to align success metrics with the Community Safety Action Strategy.

Policy Discussion for Improving Local Hire and Apprenticeship Outcomes

  • Councilmember Diaz presented a policy proposal to direct the negotiation of a citywide Community Workforce Agreement (CWA) or Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for public works projects over $5 million. The goal is to improve local hire and apprenticeship utilization, building on the existing LEAP and Equity in Contracting programs.
  • Key points from community roundtables (with prime contractors, subcontractors, and building trades) included concerns about subcontractor viability, compliance costs, and the need to protect small businesses. Estimated cost increases per project are 15–20%, with a dual-benefit reimbursement mechanism (modeled on Seattle’s 0.04% of project costs).
  • Two options were presented: 1A/1B (full CWA/PLA) and a pilot PLA project. Fiscal impact includes approximately 0.5 FTE plus program costs. Councilmembers asked about the $5 million threshold, apprenticeship supply, and alignment with TPU projects. No decision was made; further discussion will continue in the coming month.

A Place at Our Table Sponsorship

  • Councilmember Walker (presented by the Mayor) requested a $2,500 sponsorship for Nourish Pierce County’s annual luncheon, which supports six pantries and 16 mobile food sites. In return, the city would receive a table for 10 and logo placement. The item will be on the August 25th council agenda for a vote.

City Flag Competition

  • Councilmember Hines proposed a $6,000 contingency fund request to hold a city flag competition, citing the current flag’s low ranking (132nd out of 150) by the North American Vexillological Association. The competition would be open to anyone with a connection to Tacoma, with designs submitted online, narrowed by a flag commission, then voted on by the public to a top three, with the council selecting the winner. Prizes: $2,000 (winner) and $1,000 each for two finalists. The item will appear on the August 25th agenda.

Other Items

  • No committee reports were given. Acting City Manager Allyson Griffith noted no modifications to the evening’s agenda and one regular public comment opportunity. The council then moved to executive session for pending litigation (not to exceed 30 minutes).

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. I'd like to call to order the city council study session of August 18th, 2026. Clerk, please call the roll. Deputy Mayor Bushnell. President. Councilmember Diaz. Councilmember Heinz. Councilmember Palmer. Councilmember Rumba, absent. Councilmember Sidalgay? Councilmember Scott. Absent Councilmember Walker. Absent Mayor Ibsen. Here. Our first agenda item is an update on the public safety sales tax. I'd like to call on City Manager Kim to get begin the discussion. And we also have Chief Jackson, Chief Stallings, and Director Asparza. Mayor Ipson, thank you very much. Deputy Mayor, members of council staff is here today to provide an update in regards to the public safety sales tax. We discussed in earnest last fall, as well as in January when the council took councilmatic action to pass this sales tax that we would come to you in the summer to discuss what we're doing, what we're proposing, and have start the discussions, Mayor. So we'll start with the first slide here. And as the slide comes up here, just for background, Mayor, Deputy Mayor Council. It's coming up. Gotcha. I'll just I'll ad hoc to speak to this. For background for the public who's listening today. The public safety sales tax was authorized under RCW 82.14.345 State House Bill 2020. This permits cities and counties to enact a 0.01% sales tax increase for the purposes of criminal justice purposes. And as defined, it's quite uh broad in terms of what the dollars the sales tax to be paid for. Um some examples here domestic violence services and programs, public defense staffing, diversion programs, re-entry work for inmates, uh, local government programs that reasonably contribute to reducing the number of people interacting with the criminal justice system, uh, community placement for juvenile offenders, community outreach and assistance programs, alternative response programs, and other mental health crisis response. So it's quite broad in terms of what the purpose is for public safety at the end of the day, how how to actually uh impact and also potentially get more officers. There was a stated purpose to this, which I'll speak to when it comes to the grants uh portion of uh the authorizing uh legislation. Um benefits for Tacoma the passage through councilmatic action in January. The tax became effective for us on April 1st. Um it is projected to generate about 16 million dollars on a biannual basis, so about $8 million per year. This uh also supports um Tacoma's eligibility for state grants enshrined within um House Bill 2015. It is a specific grant portion for $100 million to hire and retain police officers and staff. Um so that is the background. Um April to now, we've collected about 1.3 million dollars uh year to date. Um we're generating about $600,000 worth of sales tax at this point, and we anticipate ending with some fund balance in this uh in this actual revenue source that is not yet been appropriated by council. And just for background, uh mayor, deputy mayor, council, um this is very much like many other um revenue options for the city. We'd like to collect the proceeds and have it as a uh smoothing action, have those funds available for us to actually have the actual receipts. So it's not something that we're recommending today that we would expend those dollars or obligate those dollars through a budget amendment or at this time. We'd like to see what we collect as we move forward. The discussions today as far as the proposals are for uh this next biennium. So with that, I am advancing the slide here. Let's try one more time. Thanks, Anna. Okay, perfect. Before we go to the actual proposals, I just want to briefly just discuss um just over the summer.

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