Resolution 1559RESOLUTION NO. 1559
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, EXPRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL'S INTENTION TO
COLLECT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE PROPERTY TAX LEVY IN 2026.
WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds is experiencing a budget crisis; and
WHEREAS, it will likely take several years for the city to restore its fund balances to the reserve
levels that the city has established by policy; and
WHEREAS, the city council is considering placing a ballot measure before the city's voters in
2025 that would, if passed, annex the City of Edmonds into the South County Fire RF A; and
WHEREAS, the administration is in the process of finalizing its proposed budget for the 2025-
2026 biennium; and
WHEREAS, the administration's budget preparation work would benefit from understanding the
city council's intentions with regard to the levy of property taxes for collection in 2026; and
WHEREAS , the Council addressed this topic during the budget retreat held on August, 16, 2024;
and
WHEREAS, a public hearing on Future Property Tax Levy Implications of an RF A Annexation
was held on September 10, 2024 with council deliberation; and
WHEREAS, on September 17, 2024 by a vote of 6-1, Council directed the city attorney to draft a
resolution stating that the city council intended to levy the maximum allowable levy amount for
collection in 2026; and
WHEREAS, the city council seeks to be as transparent as possible with the city's voters about
the city's likely future financial needs , particularly with the possibility of those voters being
asked to approve an annexation into the RF A; and
WHEREAS, even if one assumes annexation into the RF A, the city would not be able to
sustainably support its traditional levels of service by reducing its property tax levy; now
therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, HEREBY
RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Edmonds City Council intends to levy the maximum allowable property tax levy
for collection in 2026, even if it decides to place RF A annexation on the ballot, and even if the
voters approve such annexation in 2025.
RESOLVED this 24th day of September, 2024.
ATTEST:
~PASSEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL :
RESOLUTION NO.
CITY OF EDMONDS
September 19, 2024
September 24, 2024
1559