Executive Kremen Signs Mental Health Sales Tax
Whatcom County Executive, Pete Kremen, Monday afternoon, signed the ordinance creating a one-tenth-of–one-percent sales tax for Mental Health Services approved by the Whatcom County Council last week. Kremen released the following statement:
“Using our scarce criminal justice resources to deal with those afflicted with mental health and chemical dependency issues is neither appropriate nor cost effective. Upon deep reflection I have concluded that signing the ordinance into law is consistent with my faith and core values and is ultimately the right thing to do. It is unfortunate that the state and federal governments have greatly reduced or eliminated funding for programs that served those with behavioral health challenges so we are left with the responsibility to address that critical need at the local level. As a community, we have an obligation to help those who are unable to help themselves.
My commitment in signing the ordinance is to carry out this program so that we will see measurable and sustainable results. Additionally, by upholding the Council’s action I am asking that the members join me in balancing and reducing the County’s general fund budget by five-million dollars.”
The Whatcom County Council passed the sales tax for the purpose of providing new or expanded chemical dependency or mental health treatment services and for the operation of new or expanded therapeutic court programs,the ordinance is here .
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Dan Gibson
dgibson@co.whatcom.wa.us
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