Consumers will see sales tax rates increase starting Saturday in Cowlitz County and several other areas around the state.

The sales tax rate in Cowlitz County will increase by one-tenth of one percent to help pay for emergency communications systems and facilities. The new sales tax rates for cities in Cowlitz County are:

--7.8 percent in unincorporated Cowlitz County;

--8.0 percent in Castle Rock;

--7.9 percent in Kalama and Woodland, and

--8.1 percent in Kelso and Longview.

Shoppers in Kalama will pay a 7.9 percent sales and use tax rate. That new sales tax rate includes a one-tenth of one percent increase for public safety, and a one-tenth of one percent rate increase to help support emergency communications in Cowlitz County. The first 36 months of vehicle sales and leases are exempt from the public safety tax increase.

Elsewhere, some of the new rates were authorized by voters last year in Pierce, Snohomish and King counties to expand Sound Transit service.

Tax rates for communities in the Sound Transit service area will increase by five-tenths of one percent.

Other areas with new rates include Lynnwood, Mount Vernon, Kitsap County, Lincoln County, and the Spokane County Public Transportation Benefit Area.

The sales tax rate in the cities and unincorporated areas of Lincoln County will rise by three-tenths of one percent to a total tax rate of 8.0 percent to help pay for criminal justice and public safety. The first 36 months of vehicle sales and leases are exempt from this tax increase.