With three votes to two, Washington County commissioners decided to increase county residents’ income tax on Tuesday. 

This is the first time Washington County has raised income taxes in twenty years. The rate now sits at 3.2%, the highest rate allowed by the state. 

County Commission President Jeff Cline cited public safety needs in Washington County as the reason behind the raise. He said shortages in emergency personnel is not just a local problem, but a national issue.

“There’s a shortfall in our volunteer fire and EMS service. In order to ensure that ambulance or that fire truck showing up timely, the commission decided to use the additional tax  revenue to fund 29 paid career firefighters and to supplement our ambulance and EMS services,” said Cline.

Cline also said Washington County residents can expect to see the impacts of the tax raise in the community over the next few months.