EVERETT — The city of Everett plans to increase property taxes by 1 percent in 2018.
State law allows for 1 percent increases annually.
The emergency medical services levy also will increase by 1 percent.
The City Council approved the measures unanimously at the Nov. 8 meeting.
City revenues are projected to rise about 1.3 percent annually for the next five years. In contrast, the costs of staffing and benefits are expected to rise 4 percent annually. Mayor Ray Stephanson quoted those numbers in his yearly budget address at the Nov. 1 council meeting.
Stephanson said the city will continue to seek a change in state law to allow for larger annual tax increases. He says the rate needs to provide more reliable revenue to maintain services. Construction and new businesses have been good for the city, but that income isn’t as predictable, he said.
The 2018 city budget projects $343.8 million in revenues.
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