Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

EVERETT — Everett voters will likely see a property tax levy lid lift on their ballot in August, seeking to address the city’s projected $12.6 million budget deficit in 2025.

City staff and council members will spend the next month hammering out the details of the ballot measure they must submit to the county elections office by May 3.

If voters approve the measure in August, the levy lid lift would go into effect in January 2025.

At a council meeting Wednesday evening, City Finance Director Susy Haugen presented a range of levy options.

City Finance Director Susy Haugen presented data on the percent increase of taxpayers’ total property tax bill and the monthly and annual cost to the average taxpayer on March 27, 2024 (City of Everett)

City Finance Director Susy Haugen presented data on the percent increase of taxpayers’ total property tax bill and the monthly and annual cost to the average taxpayer on March 27, 2024 (City of Everett)

To balance the budget for 2025, the city would have to increase voters’ total property tax bill by about 5.6% at minimum for the average homeowner, a move that would bump up revenue by $13.1 million.

The percentage increase is of taxpayers’ total bill, which includes taxes paid to the county, schools and other bodies, not just to the city of Everett.

What does that mean for the average taxpayer? An increase of $250 per year, according to city estimates.

Officials should no longer consider any levy lid lifts that would leave the city with a deficit next year, City Council member Paula Rhyne said at the meeting Wednesday.

Council members Scott Bader and Ben Zarlingo suggested the council go further and rule out options that don’t solve the deficit for at least two years.

City Finance Director Susy Haugen presented data on the estimated deficit reduction and number of years until the deficit returns on March 27, 2024 (City of Everett)

City Finance Director Susy Haugen presented data on the estimated deficit reduction and number of years until the deficit returns on March 27, 2024 (City of Everett)

In recent months, city leaders have considered three options to deal with the city’s deficit. The tax increase was one. Council members also considered allowing Sno-Isle Libraries to annex the city’s library system, or allowing the city fire department to merge with a regional fire authority.

At a council meeting last week, Haugen recommended the lid lift, noting it’s the only option that could kick in as soon as next year. She recommended the council keep working on the other two alternatives, but said they would take more time to organize.

“This is obviously one of the most important votes that you, as a council, have considered in years,” Mayor Cassie Franklin said at last week’s meeting.

Council meetings in April, when city leaders will be working out the ballot measure, will be “a real opportunity for us to hear from the public,” she said.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Rhyne said the mayor had done “an incredible job” making difficult budget cuts.

“We all know that there is nothing left to cut and we need to solve this problem,” she said, “instead of just kicking the can down the road.”

Sophia Gates: 425-339-3035; sophia.gates@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @SophiaSGates.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.