Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, July 9, 2009

Everett to hold off on asking voters for tax increase

By David Chircop
Herald Writer

 EVERETT — A property tax increase to pay for emergency medical service may be important.

But it’s not going on the ballot in November.

The Everett City Council on Wednesday did an about-face on whether to put it before voters, mainly because a panel of business owners and residents argued that this is the wrong time to ask for a tax hike.

“I was getting a resounding and repeated message that this is really a tough economy,” Mayor Ray Stephanson said. “There are a lot of businesses that are barely surviving and people who can hardly make their mortgage payments.”
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA