Resolution 15741
RESOLUTION NO. 1574
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE VOTERS AT
THE GENERAL ELECTION A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO
INCREASE ITS REGULAR PROPERTY TAX LEVY ABOVE THE LIMIT
OTHERWISE ALLOWED BY STATE LAW.
WHEREAS, Initiative 747 was a voter-approved measure in 2001 that limited annual increases
in regular property tax levies to 1% unless voters approved a higher amount; and
WHEREAS, prior to I-747, local governments could increase levies by up to 6% annually under
state law; and
WHEREAS, although the Washington Supreme Court struck down the initiative in 2007, the
legislature quickly reinstated the 1% cap that same year; and
WHEREAS, the 1% cap is still in effect today; and
WHEREAS, the city has not had a levy lid lift approved by voters since 2001; and
WHEREAS, inflation has averaged approximately 2.5% per year since 2001; and
WHEREAS, this gap between the 1% cap and the 2.5% historic inflation average has contributed
significantly to the city’s structural budget deficit, especially considering the compounded effect
of those different percentages over time; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution 1570, expressing their understanding of
operational budget impacts if the general property tax collected for 2026 is less than budgeted,
seeking to be as transparent as possible with the City’s residents about the City’s likely future
financial needs and ability to provide services; and
WHEREAS the Council’s adopted biennial budget for 2025-2026 resulted in impactful
reductions of staffing, services and programs for Police, Parks and Recreation and Public Works
departments, including eliminating six line-officers and one assistant police chief, evident cuts in
Parks maintenance and elimination of Recreation programs, and further postponed street and
safety improvements; and
WHEREAS, various different perspectives have been shared with the city council related to the
cost of government in similar jurisdictions, the particular needs of the City of Edmonds, the
desires of the Edmonds residents, and the property taxes paid by Edmonds taxpayers compared
to similar jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, relatedly, the following proposed levy lid lift amounts have been presented to the
city council from various sources:
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• $22,181,279 was suggested by city staff;
• $16,513,457 was suggested by Mike Bailey derived from comparable cities;
• $11,703,000 was suggested by Keep Edmonds Vibrant;
• $19,347,368 was suggested by Mayor Rosen; and
WHEREAS, regardless of the amount of the levy lid lift, the city council prefers using a
permanent multi-year lid lift to allow the city’s levy to keep pace with inflation; and
WHEREAS, the city council asks its community to support this levy lid lift for the limited
purposes of funding police, parks, planning, streets and sidewalks; and
WHEREAS, the city council prefers to allow qualifying low-income senior and disabled
homeowners a deferral or exemption from the impact of the levy lid lift; and
WHEREAS, the city council held a public hearing on this resolution on July 1, 2025; NOW
THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, HEREBY
RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The above recitals are adopted as findings in support of this Resolution.
Section 2. The City Council hereby finds and declares that it is in the best interests of the residents
of Edmonds to provide additional funds for the purposes of police, parks, planning, streets and
sidewalks.
Section 3. Pursuant to RCW 84.55.050(2)(a) and RCW 29A.04.330, a proposition shall be
included in the general election within the City of Edmonds on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, for
the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the city, for their ratification or rejection, a
proposition to permanently increase the city's regular property tax levy, exceeding the limit factor
provided in RCW 84.55.005 - .0101, as more specifically described in Section 4 below.
Section 4. The proposition would authorize the city to increase the regular property tax levy to be
collected in 2026 by $14,500,000 at a rate not to exceed $1.65 per $1,000 of assessed value on
property in the city . For the five years following 2026 (i.e., the years 2027 - 2031), the proposition
would also authorize use of a limit factor of 100% plus the percentage change in the 12-month
August-to-August Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Seattle-
Tacoma-Bellevue Area or the equivalent successor index as determined by the City Council. The
proposition also would approve the use of the dollar amount of the 2031 levy for computing the
maximum levy that may be imposed in years after 2031. Revenues from the property tax increases
that would be authorized by the ballot proposition shall be used for the limited purposes of police,
parks, planning, streets and sidewalks.
Section 5. The proposition to be submitted to the electorate of the City shall read substantially as
follows:
Name of Jurisdiction:
Proposition Number:
Short Title:
Ballot Title:
City of Edmonds
Proposition 1
PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR POLICE, PARKS,
PLANNING, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
The Edmonds City Council adopted Resolution No.1574
concerning a property tax levy. This proposition would
authorize the Edmonds City Council to increase the
regular levy in 2026 up to $1.65 per $1,000 of assessed
value; use the annual Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue CPI-U to
adjust levies in 2027-2031; dedicate proceeds to police,
parks, planning, streets and sidewalks; exempt
qualifying senior and disabled homeowners under RCW
84.36.381; and set the 2031 levy as the base for computing
future levy limits.
Should this proposition be approved?
Yes -----
No -----
Section 6. A local voters' pamphlet is requested and the City Attorney is hereby authorized
to draft the explanatory statement in conformance with requirements of the Snohomish County
Auditor.
Section 7. The City Attorney is authorized to make such minor adjustments to the
formatting and/or wording of the ballot measure as may be recommended or required by the
Snohomish County Auditor, as long as the intent of the measure remains clear and consistent with
the intent of this Resolution.
Section 8. The City Clerk is authorized to file any necessary documents with the
Snohomish County Auditor to fulfill the purposes of this Resolution.
Section 9. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect upon passage and signatures
hereon .
RESOLVED this 8th day of July , 2025.
CITY OF EDMONDS
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ATTEST:
CITY CLERK, SCOTT PASSEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: July 3, 2025
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: July 8, 2025
RESOLUTION NO.: 1574