The Renton City Council approved a sales tax increase to fund public safety efforts in the city.

On Oct. 6, the council unanimously passed the ordinance to increase the city’s sales tax by 0.1 percent in order to “address public safety needs” in Renton.

This 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.

At the meeting, Councilmember and Chair of Public Safety Carmen Rivera said money from the tax will fund five new positions: three for the sexual assault unit and two for the drone unit.

Council President James Alberson said the tax money could also be used for public defenders and prosecutors, which he said are “sorely needed.”

“When we talk about perpetrators of crime essentially being let go because there aren’t enough personnel … it’s like a revolving door,” Alberson said. “I think it is frustrating, from my understanding, for officers to see people back on the street.”

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 services, court staffing, diversion programs, re-entry support, local preventative programs, juvenile placement programs, community outreach and crisis response.

“(Public safety) is the number one priority that we hear from in our community, via surveys and feedback,” Perry said.

Renton Police Department Public Information Officer Meeghan Black said the extra funds from the tax would allow the department to better specialize in key areas of law enforcement that are rapidly changing.

“One example is keeping up with advancements in technology for investigations, patrol and enforcement,” Black said. “The technology requires expertise, and these additional funds would enable RPD to staff and train dedicated personnel to specialize in the use of technology.”

The sales tax will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and will increase the combined total sales tax to 10.4 percent in the city’s RTA zones and 9 percent in non-RTA zones. This will result in a 10-cent increase for every $100 spent. The city says the estimated revenue is between $3 million and $3.5 million per annum.