EVERETT — Voters in Edmonds were rejecting a property tax levy lid lift to fund city services, early results showed Wednesday, as a levy to fund emergency services in Mukilteo was passing.
The county will continue counting ballots throughout the week and will certify election results Nov. 25. Check heraldnet.com after 5 p.m. each day for the latest results.
Edmonds
A $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift in Edmonds was failing with just over 41% of votes in favor, Thursday’s results showed.
“While I’m personally disappointed that Proposition 1 did not pass, I want to thank everyone who took the time to learn about the measure and participate in this important decision,” Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen said in a statement Tuesday night. “We’ve heard the community. This result raises challenges for the city and our employees. Our commitment to keeping Edmonds safe, and financially sustainable, remains unchanged. I will be working with the community, council and staff to begin planning how to sustain essential services.”
The proposed levy is a permanent, multi-year levy lid lift. Per state law, cities can only increase property taxes by 1% or less each year, unless voters approve a higher increase. A multi-year lid lift would allow the council to exceed the 1% cap for up to six years, or 2031. A permanent lid lift means that after six years, the levy would continue to increase by 1% or less based on the 2031 levy amount.
The council voted to place the levy on the ballot as a potential step in addressing the city’s $13.5 million deficit. Proponents said the levy is necessary to retain essential services. Opponents raised concerns that rising property taxes could become too high for the city’s vulnerable residents.
“We love Edmonds and want nothing more than to see it thrive,” Yes for Edmonds organizers said in a statement Tuesday night. “Yet, the combination of low property taxes compared to all of our neighboring cities to the south, and the 1% cap imposed by Tim Eyman’s 25-year-old initiative, have made it increasingly difficult for Edmonds to plan for the future and sustain the services our residents expect. Even so, there is reason for optimism. The opposition campaign to Prop 1 publicly stated support (through the adoption of an “alternative plan”) for a $6 million levy next year, and 40% or more of Edmonds voters were comfortable with the full $14.5 million measure. That tells us there’s room for common ground.”
The vote comes after residents approved annexation into South County Fire in April. Both measures would raise property taxes by about $65 per month each for the median homeowner and go into effect in January.
“We were absolutely thrilled when the initial results were released,” said Jon Milkey, treasurer for Keep Edmonds Affordable, in a statement to The Daily Herald on Wednesday. “It was rewarding to know that Edmonds residents had their voices heard. Despite limited electoral experience, our grass roots group managed to quickly raise awareness about a significant property tax hike. Our core message has been—and still is—that Edmonds should remain affordable for everyone, not just for those able to absorb recently increased costs and taxes. The hard work is just starting – we remain committed to volunteering to ensure responsible management of taxpayer funds and to preserving the unique charm that defines Edmonds as everyone’s hometown.”
Revenue from the levy would go toward police, parks, planning, streets and sidewalk improvements, according to the ballot resolution. Earlier this year, the City Council unanimously passed a separate resolution declaring the potential impacts on city services if the levy fails. The impacts include eliminating the city’s human services department and cultural service program and making significant cuts to police, parks and recreation, and community and economic development, among other cuts.
Mukilteo
A property tax levy lid lift to raise funds for emergency medical services in Mukilteo was passing with 55.4% of votes in favor, Thursday’s results showed.
The levy would increase the city’s EMS levy from 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to 50 cents per $1,000. The average homeowner would pay an additional $192 per year in property taxes, according to a city estimate.
The city put forward the levy as a way to potentially alleviate budget concerns. Mukilteo used about $1.93 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding to fill gaps in the EMS budget in 2025. The city’s 2025-26 budget showed that without the levy, the city could end up transferring about $1.9 million in general fund dollars to help pay for the services.
Citizens in Mukilteo pay the lowest property tax rate for EMS services in Snohomish County. If the levy is approved, residents would still pay the lowest EMS levy rate across the county.
City council members previously said the levy lid lift was necessary to reduce the need for general fund transfers while keeping the EMS operating at current service levels. It was seen as an opportunity, some council members said, to plug a budget hole while looking for a long-term solution to add staffing and resources to the department.
The Mukilteo firefighters union opposed the measure as it would not pay for additional services. The organization said the department has struggled with understaffing for years and needs significant investment the levy would not provide.
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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