Edmonds approves public safety sales tax
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 20, 2025
EVERETT — Starting next year, the city of Edmonds will charge a 0.1% sales tax that will go toward public safety.
The City Council unanimously passed the ordinance Tuesday.
“We’ve heard plenty from the community about how they love our police department and respect the work they do,” council President Pro Tem Susan Paine said. “This will only help to enhance our police department and provide additional revenues.”
Along with placing a $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift on the November ballot, the Edmonds City Council committed to finding at least $5 million in non-property tax revenue.
Earlier this year, the state Legislature passed a bill that allows cities to implement the tax without voter approval if it meets certain requirements, including police training and proper use-of-force policies. According to the bill, the funds must go toward “activities that substantially assist the criminal justice system,” including domestic violence services, public defenders, reentry work, and community outreach and assistance programs.
“To me, it was as much of a no-brainer as it can get when you’re talking about taxes, which is never a no-brainer,” council member Vivian Olson said.
The city could decide to put the money toward rising public defender costs, Olson said. In June, the state Supreme Court issued an order mandating lower caseloads for public defenders. Cities have 10 years to meet the new standard but must meet annual targets. Earlier this month, Lynnwood public defenders asked the Lynnwood City Council for an additional $15,000 per month to increase staffing to meet the requirement.
By meeting the state’s requirements for the tax, the city is also eligible for public safety grants, said Todd Tatum, director of community services. The earliest the city can implement the tax is Jan. 1, 2026, Tatum said.
“In general, increasing taxes is no fun,” council member Will Chen said, “but this one is very particular for public safety and our community.”
The increase would put Edmonds’ sales tax rate at 4.1%, tied for the highest in the county along with Lynnwood, Mill Creek and Mukilteo, according to state data. The council is considering a cultural access sales tax, also a .1% increase.
“Many of our neighbors who are in the same tax region are also experiencing financial difficulties,” Tatum said. “I’m not sure what measures they’re going to enact. I know that this is a very popular one among cities.”
Erik Nelson, who owns Lynnwood Honda in Edmonds, spoke against raising sales taxes during public comment.
“Those sales taxes cost me sales every week,” he said. “We compete with other dealers across the state. … It will cost us business.”
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
