Residents polled about tax hike

The city of Spokane has polled some residents on their feeling about a ballot measure to increase taxes for police, fire and library services.

But that doesn’t automatically mean such a measure is headed for the ballot, Mayor Jim West said Monday.

The poll, conducted through the weekend by Moore Information Inc., of Portland, at his behest, is part of the city’s search for solutions to its budget problems, West said. He has also appointed a task force of citizens and public safety union leaders to consider revenue options, with a possible alternative of asking voters to lift the state limit on property tax collections.

West called the poll, which comes out of a small budget he has for surveys, part of a “very preliminary” look at options for a budget shortfall estimated at $6 million. There’s no specific proposal to put before voters at this point, he said.

“I’ve been talking to the council and talking to the community,” he said. “We just want to see what the tolerance is.”

Interviewers asked local residents if they would support a tax increase for police and fire services, and if they’d be more likely to support an increase if those departments or the council or the mayor supported it.

West said the polling firm finished over the weekend, and he expects to have the results this week.

If the poll indicates the public is dead set against any tax increase, it probably wouldn’t be worth pursuing, he said. But if the poll indicates the voters might support an increase, that option could be presented to the council.

In budget discussions with the council, the Fire Department has said it could be forced to close two fire stations, and the Police Department could cut staffing for traffic enforcement, volunteer services and COPS shops. The city library system may close three branch libraries currently open part of the week, or cut its acquisition of new materials.