2025-04-10 Council Special Packet1.
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ti Agenda
Edmonds City Council
1,00
SPECIAL MEETING/TOWN HALL
BRACKETT ROOM
121 5TH AVE N, CITY HALL- 3RD FLOOR, EDMONDS, WA 98020
APRIL 10, 2025, 6:30 PM
PERSONS WISHING TO JOIN THIS MEETING VIRTUALLY IN LIEU OF IN -PERSON ATTENDANCE MAY
CLICK ON OR PASTE THE FOLLOWING ZOOM MEETING LINK INTO A WEB BROWSER USING A
COMPUTER OR SMART PHONE:
HTTPS://ZOOM. US/J/95798484261
BY PHONE: US: +1 253 215 8782 WEBINAR ID: 957 9848 4261
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT A QUORUM OF CITY COUNCILMEMBERS MAY BE IN
ATTENDANCE AT THIS TOWN HALL, THE DETAILS OF WHICH ARE OUTLINED IN THE AGENDA
BELOW. NO COUNCIL ACTION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THIS TIME.
FACTUAL PRESENTATION ON THE RFA ANNEXATION VOTE
1. Annexation Answers: What the RFA Vote Means to You (120 min)
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC ATTENDING TOWN HALL IN BRACKETT ROOM WITH POTENTIAL
ANSWERS FROM THE COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT
ADJOURNMENT 8:30 PM
Edmonds City Council Agenda
April 10, 2025
Page 1
1.1
City Council Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 04/10/2025
Annexation Answers: What the RFA Vote Means to You
Staff Lead: City Council
Department: City Council
Preparer: Beckie Peterson
Background/History
Town Hall meetings "Annexation Answers: What the RFA Vote Means for You" have previously been
held on February 27, March 5, March 27, and April 5.
Recommendation
A quorum of councilmembers intend to attend this final town hall meeting; no council action.
Narrative
1. Factual Presentation of the RFA Annexation Vote
2. Questions from the public attending Town Hall in Brackett Room with potential answers from the
councilmembers present.
Presentation slide deck and handouts attached.
Attachments:
RFA_presentation_final_030525
RFA_FAQ_FI NAL_022625
TownHall Chart Handout 032725
Packet Pg. 2
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Annexation Answers:
What the RFA Vote
Means to You
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Edmonds is a
Full -Service City
Police
Fire/EMS (through a contract with South County Fire)
Parks
Streets
Economic Development
Public Utilities
What'i*s South Cou
15 neighborhood fire stations staffed around the
clock to provide prompt emergency response
across more than 57 square miles in southwest
Snohomish County.
More than 355 uniformed firefighters are
employed by South County Fire. A minimum of 70
firefighters are on duty during the day and 64
overnight.
84% of 911 calls are EMS. All firefighters are
certified as either emergency medical technicians
or paramedics.
Responded to 38,676 emergency calls in 2024.
Fir
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Residents' Top Priorities:
Fi'0
re/EMS Services
In the 2024 Community Survey,.
Edmonds residents ranked ensuring
fast fire and emergency medical
response times as their top priority.
1.1.a
TopCit Services b Im ortance Ratin Y Y p g research
Next you will read a list of city services and functions provided by the City of Edmonds.
After each one, please rate how important that city service is to you.
■ 7 - Extremely important ■ 5-6 ce
Ensuring fast fire and emergency medical response times 094%
--� Reducing petty crime and burg ary 33% 861yo
Cracking down on illegal drug use and sales 24% 76�6
Maintaining parks, trails, and open spaces • • ' • 46% 90%
Maintaining streets and fixing potholes 92%
Stewarding the environment
Planning for population growth
Investing in and expanding parks, trails, and open spaces
Preparing for natural disasters such as earthquakes, flooding, and
major storms
C112430.
75%
73%
73%
249336 Edmonds Community Survey 1 15
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Under South County Fire,
Edmonds residents have paid
well below cost for fire and
EMS s
ervice,
South County Fire is unabl
continue the contract wit
substantial cost increase.
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We Have Explored
Several Options
Continuing a contract with SCF
Starting our own fire department
Using other fire/EMS providers
Annexing to the Regional Fire Auth
Packet Pg. 11
Annexing to South County
Fiires the lowest -cost
option to maintain the
level and quality of our
'0
emergency services.
Packet Pg. 12
The Numbers
Edmonds
the city:
property owners currently pay
$0.72 per $1,000 assessed property value
fire Of that $.72, $0.48 goes toward the contrac
Property owners also pay $0.28 per $1,000 for
an EMS levy
A 2500sqft hour
average assess
,e valued at $895,700, the
ed value in Edmonds,, pays
approximately $680.73 for fire/EMS in 2025,
t
The Numbers
If annexation had been in effect in 2025:
The
rate
for
fire/EMS through
South County
Fire
is
$1.16
per $1,000
plus a
benefit charge.
The owner of a 2,500 sq ft home valued at
$895,700 would have paid another $436.98
($36.42/mo), bringing their fire/EMS cost to
$1,*117,971 0
Seniors, low-income households, and people with
disabilities will maintain any current exemptions
they have through the county if annexation is
approved (RCW: WAC 458-16A- 1401
Source: Snohomish County Assessor's Office Levy Comptroller
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$S.00
$2.SO
How Edmonds Compares
to Other Cities in Snohomish CI
202S City +Fire/EMS Tax Rates'
Edmonds if
Annexed $1.88
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Sources: Snohomish County Assessor's 2025 Annual Report and City/Fire District Data �_ 0
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* number does not include the benefit charge
Budget Challenges
Facing our Community
We have been transparent about
the deficit.
Our situation:
Years of increasing costs for services
+ Unfunded state mandates
+ Property tax revenue cap at 1 % per year
= Significant fiscal emergency
Packet Pg. 16
---
Rising Costs in Context
Cost increases just in 2024:
Insurance: +$558,000 (397c
Utilities: +$34,000 (4.7%)
Fuel: +$28,000 (14.2%)
The city can only raise property tax
revenue by 1 o per year.
Totaled $106,852 in 2024
Packet Pg. 17
Addressina the Proib em
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Measures to confront the defID ID
icit:
$6.5 million in cuts
> Extensive community input
> Eliminated city staff and services
Borrowing money and using reserves
> Funds police and services residents
> Not sustainable
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What
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Ballot Measure to Annex to
South County Fire
Special Election is April 22, 2025
Mill Creek, Brier, and Mountlake
Terrace have taken this step
If Annexation Fails
The City would not have a known
stable funding source to contract for
fire/EMS in 2026 and beyond
The City would need to raise taxes
and/or implement drastic reductions
in City operations to pay for the
fire/EMS contract
The City's ability to maintain current
level of service is jeopardized
Please Take Part!
Attend upcoming town ha
bring your neighbors
and
Thursday, April I Oth at 6:30pm at City Ha
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Please Take Part,',
Stay Informed
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Find an overview, FAQs, and link to the FITCH
report at www.edmondswa.gov/RFA_info
The city is
assess you
creating an online calculator to
r potential costs for fire/EMS service.
Follow us on Facebook @cityofedmonds
1.1.a
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Snohomish County Fire Districts and Regional Fire Authorities
SOUTH COUNTY I
FIRE 2025 Property Taxes Rates + Benefit Charge Equivalent (per $1,000)
$2.50
$2.22
$2.03
$1.98 0
$2.00 $1.86
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$1.76 $1.78 $1.79 $1.84
$1.72 $1.74 w
$1.51
$1.50 3
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$0.13 x
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$1.0 0 $1.16 c
$0.91 property taxes M
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$0.76 $0.81
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LOWEST HIGHEST
Equivalent rate per $1,000 based on the City of Edmonds 2025 contract for fire/EMS service with South County Fire.
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www.edmondswa.gov/RFA_info
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What is on my April 22"d ballot?
The City of Edmonds is asking voters to consider annexing to the South County Fire Regiona
Fire Authority (South County Fire) for fire and emergency medical service.
Why is my city proposing this?
Currently, the city contracts with South County Fire for fire/EMS service. Property owners
pay for the contract through a general property tax levy paid to the city. Costs continue to
increase and the city cannot afford to renew the contract when it ends in 2025.
Why can't the city afford higher contract costs?
Edmonds faces a fiscal emergency. Years of historic inflation have outpaced revenues and
contributed to a growing budget deficit. City leaders have made significant cuts, borrowe<
funds, and used reserves. However, these measures are not sustainable. Annexation is a
possible first step to sustainability. It will free up money from the fire contract for other basic
city services such as police, roads, and parks.
Is annexing to South County Fire the lowest cost option to maintain the level and quality of
emergency services for Edmonds residents?
Yes. The city researched starting its own fire department and reached out to other fire/EMS
providers. Annexing to South County Fire was the lowest cost option to maintain the level
and quality of emergency services our community receives. South County Fire also provide'.
a reliable response on land or overwater to complex rescue emergencies and releases of
hazardous or toxic chemicals.
What does a property owner currently pay for fire service?
Currently, Edmonds collects a general levy of $0.72 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The fire service contract costs $0.48/$1,000. There is also a city EMS levy of $0.28/$1,000.
A house with an assessed value of $895,700, considered the average in Edmonds, pays
approximately $680.73 for fire/EMS in 2025.
What would a property owner pay under annexation for fire/EMS services?
Under annexation, property owners would pay South County Fire directly for service and thi
city EMS levy would be eliminated. In 2025, the rate for fire/EMS through South County Fire is
approximately $1.16 per $1,000 plus a "benefit charge". If annexation were in effect today,
the owner of a 2,500-square-foot house valued at $895,700 would have paid a net increasE
of $436.98 ($36.42 per month). The annual total for the same property would be $1,1 17.71.
What happens to the $0.48/$1,000 property owners are currently paying for the contract. -
The city will retain this amount to use toward services such as its police department, roads,
and parks.
What is a benefit charge?
A fire benefit charge moves away from the traditional assessed value/property tax funding
model. It funds emergency services based on a property's size and risk of fire instead.
Single-family homes are charged less than commercial and high -fire risk structures because
it costs less to serve them in a fire. Learn more about the benefit charge at https://www.
southsnofire.org/about-us/funding/benefit-charge.
If approved, when will annexation take effect?
Property owners would begin paying South County Fire directly in 2026.
What happens to the city's EMS levy?
The city EMS levy would be eliminated. Instead, property owners would pay an EMS levy to
South County Fire. Packet Pg. 27
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Will this impact service when I call 911?
No. The quality and level of emergency services our community receives will continue
uninterrupted.
What happens to our fire stations and apparatus?
South County Fire already owns all the emergency apparatus. Stations 16 (Maplewood)
and 20 (Esperance) will eventually be part of South County Fire's capital assets. Station
20 needs to be replaced at an estimated cost of $20 million. Station 17 (downtown
Edmonds) would remain the city's property and would be used by South County Fire at
no charge as long as it remains a fire station.
Will firefighters lose their jobs?
No. All emergency personnel will continue to work for South County Fire, just like they do
now. This is important to maintain service levels for our community.
Why did the city choose South County Fire?
• Least expensive option to maintain the level and quality of emergency services
residents currently receive.
• Gives residents a vote and direct representation on South County Fire's Board of
Fire Commissioners.
• South County Fire knows Edmonds and has served the city successfully for 15 years
• The ability to plan long-term for emergency services as our city grows.
• More cost-effective for taxpayers with economies of scale and buying power for
emergency apparatus, equipment and supply orders.
Why can't we just renew the fire services contract?
Edmonds signed a contract many years ago when costs for emergency services were
much lower. The contract could not be renewed unless Edmonds property owners pay
the same rate as property owners in other communities served by South County Fire. The
city cannot afford this increase and still provide other city services residents require due
to its budget constraints.
Where is South County Fire located?
South County Fire is headquartered south of Everett and serves nearly 300,000 residents
in Brier, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, and unincorporated
southwest Snohomish County.
Have other cities annexed into South County Fire?
Yes. South County Fire was created by a merger of former Snohomish County Fire District
1 and the city of Lynnwood. Since then, voters in the cities of Mill Creek, Mountlake
Terrace and Brier have annexed to South County Fire.
Can South County Fire increase taxes on annexed cities whenever they want to?
No. South County Fire has revenue limits by law or those that must be approved
by voters.
Will I still receive my property tax discounts if annexation into South County Fire is
approved?
Yes, seniors, low-income households, and people with disabilities will maintain any
current exemptions they have through the county if annexation is approved (RCW:
WAC 458-16A-140). This also applies to the benefit charge. Source: Snohomish County
Assessor's Office Levy Comptroller
Will residents be able to influence decisions related to our fire/EMS service?
Residents will have the opportunity to vote for representatives to serve on South County
Fire's Board of Fire Commissioners. Residents can also run to serve as a
fire commissioner.
Have further questions? Email RFAinfo@ed Packet Pg. 28
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$2.50 1
$2.00
$1.50
$1.00 1
How Edmonds Compares
to Other Cities in Snohomish County
202S City + Fire/EMS Tax Rates*
Edmonds if
Annexed $1.88
Edmonds now $1.00
Sources: Snohomish County Assessor's 2025 Annual Report and City/Fire District Data
*numbers do not include the benefit charge which is $78.70 on a 2500 sq ft home
I� Snohomish County Fire Districts and Regional Fire Authorities
2025 Property Taxes Rates + Benefit Charge Equivalent (per $1,000)
$2.50
$2.03
$ 2.00 S19e
S� S� ■.
$1 76
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*equivalent rate per $1000 based on the City of Edmonds 2025 contract for fire/EMS service with South Co Packet Pg. 29