Edmonds City Council to Vote on Placing $17M Property Tax Hike on November Ballot
The Edmonds City Council has nearly tripled the tax increase they plan to place on the November 2025 general election ballot. What originated as a $6 million property tax increase has evolved to a $17 million proposal which voters will have the final say on. At their July 8th meeting, the Edmonds City Council is scheduled to vote on whether or not to place this property tax increase measure on the ballot.
Due to a history of financial mismanagement and excessive spending going back several years, the City of Edmonds is facing a $14.5 million budget deficit. During their most recent biennial budget adoption last December, the City Council approved a budget which assumed voter passage of (1) annexation into the South Snohomish County Regional Fire Authority (RFA) as well as (2) a levy lid lift property tax increase. Voters recently approved annexation into the RFA, which will come at a cost of nearly $1,000 in additional property taxes per Edmonds household. Now, city leaders will be asking voters for another $17 million in property taxes in the form of a levy lid lift ballot measure.
This proposal, which was not disclosed during the April campaign to increase property taxes for the RFA annexation, will harm taxpayers in Edmonds who are already being burdened with an additional $1,000 per household in increased property taxes. Rather than continually resorting to raising taxes, city leaders should instead focus on balancing the budget by prioritizing city services and reigning in unnecessary spending.
EMAIL YOUR COUNCILMEMBERS TODAY TO DEMAND THEY PRIORITIZE SPENDING REDUCTIONS BEFORE SENDING THIS $17 MILLION TAX INCREASE TO THE BALLOT!
The City of Edmonds’ levy lid lift property tax increase proposal will have significant consequences for city taxpayers. Your engagement can make a big difference on this critical issue.
Submit written public comment here
(Note: Comment period is now closed on July 8)
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