Marysville considers size of tax increase

By Theresa Goffredo

Herald Writer

MARYSVILLE — A downturn in the stock market. Another voter initiative capping property taxes. The devastation of Sept. 11.

These were among the sobering points Marysville Finance Director Sandy Langdon mentioned in her written introduction to the city’s proposed budget for 2002. Somber thoughts, but a necessary message as the city prepares for a "very lean" budget year, Langdon said.

That could end up being good news for taxpayers as they face an average increase of just $28 a year.

For Marysville Councilman Mike Leighan, the city isn’t keeping its fiscal responsibility unless it approves a 6 percent increase, the same as last year.

"We have an obligation to do that," Leighan said. "A question you might ask, $28 a year, is that going to change your lifestyle? That’s one less latte a month. And what are the things you are getting in return? You get additional police officers and parks."

For instance for this year’s proposed budget, the police department is recommending a school resource officer to be stationed at Marysville High School and a custody officer to handle jail matters.

The parks department is asking for two staff members to form a new right-of-way maintenance crew. The crew would be responsible for keeping trees, shrubs and lawns looking neat along the city’s roadways, public trails and sidewalks.

Jim Ballew, parks director, said his goal for the new crew is to improve Marysville’s image.

"I’m a resident here, and I’m not happy with the way our community looks," Ballew said. "We need to upgrade the image coming into neighborhoods. We don’t expect to be mowing everyone’s front lawn, but we want to start dealing with some of the impressions."

The total amount city leaders propose to spend to run Marysville in 2002 is $68.6 million. Those expenditures include the necessities, such as salaries and operating the sewer treatment plant, but also include a few new items such as a school resource officer and a maintenance crew to improve the city’s looks.

The budget doesn’t have winners and losers, Langdon said. All city employees are expected to keep their jobs.

"We’ve tried to be as fair as possible across the board," she said.

There’s a projected $14 million in the general fund for 2002 — an increase of about 11.3 percent over the 2001 general fund amount.

The general fund is the pot where the city keeps its main sources of revenue, money collected through property taxes, sales taxes, business tax and charges the city assesses on such things as utilities.

Part of that $14 million in general funds comes in the form of a proposed property tax increase of 6 percent. If the council approves that increase, then homeowners can expect to pay about $449 a year in property taxes or $2.40 — the portion the city collects on property taxes — on every $1,000 of property tax assessed on a home worth $187,500. That’s an increase of $28.20 over last year.

But the city may decide not to approve the 6 percent increase based on what voters do with Initiative 747 in November. That ballot measure would directly affect what the city can collect by limiting the annual increase for property taxes to 1 percent, as opposed to 6 percent.

If I-747 passes, Marysville stands to lose between $180,000 to $200,000 in property tax proceeds that would have gone into its general fund, Langdon said. That means city leaders would be looking at a Plan B — a preliminary budget reflecting the 1 percent property tax assessment. Taxes would go up only an average of $7.78 in that case.

You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097

or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.

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.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

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

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

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.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

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.