Chelan County is now the fifth county in Washington to have a ban on local income taxes after a unanimous agreement of its commissioners this week.

The county issued the ban Monday after signing a resolution that appears to be identical to one signed recently by Grant County commissioners.

Twelve cities, including Moses Lake, have a similar ban. Other counties with a ban in place are Franklin County, Grant County, Spokane County and Yakima County.

The county and city bans differ from a Washington Appeals Court decision in 2019 that allows for a flat 1 percent local income tax.

There is also bill in the upcoming state legislature that would authorize local income taxes as long as other local taxes (sales, utility or property taxes) are reduced by an equal amount.

The bill would require a constitutional amendment to be fully implemented.  A constitutional amendment in Washington requires approval of a two-thirds majority of both the state Senate and the House, and must then go to a public vote on a general election ballot.

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