EDMONDS — Voters in Edmonds could soon be asked for $3.75 million to fund what is being called the Public Safety and Parks levy.
After nine months of discussion motivated by the city’s financial crisis, the Edmonds City Council has scheduled a final vote today that could send the levy to the November ballot.
Some money would fund Yost Pool, hire two new police officers and redouble the city’s economic development efforts. Other money is intended for general operational expenses.
The levy would cost $222 a year for the average Edmonds homeowner. The city’s median house price is $456,000.
An alternative — called the Technology and General Operations levy — has also been considered. It has an identical price tag, but focuses spending on technology, and wouldn’t fund Yost Pool or new police hires.
Some think that Edmonds should wait longer than November to ask voters.
Councilman Michael Plunkett is concerned about language in Tim Eyman’s newest initiative, I-1033, that might render Edmonds’ levy moot.
Mayor Gary Haakenson said earlier this year that he believes waiting until the nation’s financial crisis has subsided would be best.
“I will support the levy whether it runs this November or November of 2010. We need to do it,” Haakenson said Monday.
Chris Fyall: 425-339-3447, cfyall@heraldnet.com.
Have your say
The Edmonds City Council has scheduled its final action on a 2009 property tax levy for 7 p.m. today at the Public Safety Building, 250 Fifth Ave. N., Edmonds.
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