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Edmonds leaders outline cuts tied to a failed levy; no votes taken
Summary
Council members and city staff reviewed three budget scenarios — the adopted plan assuming a $6 million levy lift, a partial-sustainability scenario, and a worst-case scenario with no levy — and discussed roughly $8 million of reductions Council had directed staff to identify for 2026.
City of Edmonds leaders on May 13 shared a scenario-based look at the general fund budget and the program-level impacts if a planned levy lid lift does not pass.
Mayor Rosen and department directors briefed the council on three scenarios discussed at a recent budget retreat: (1) the budget as drafted with a $6 million levy-lid lift, (2) a reduced but sustainable service level, and (3) a worst-case scenario if a levy does not pass. No formal council action was taken; the session was informational.
The presentation showed the 2026 general fund budget figure the staff used for planning (approximately $53 million) and called out that council had earlier asked staff to identify an additional $2 million in reductions for 2026 on top of levy assumptions, producing about $8 million in total identified reductions for planning purposes. The intent is to present specific department-level consequences next, and the administration said it could also prepare a resolution that would make clear to voters which services would be cut if a levy failed.
Directors and staff noted categories preliminarily targeted for reduction in the worst-case scenario: human services and cultural services programs, certain professional and intergovernmental services, and line items tied to the city's prior fire arrangements that would shift to South County Fire or a regional fire authority (RFA). Todd (staff member) summarized likely impacts on the arts and cultural programs, including loss of staff support for the Edmonds Arts Commission, risks to the city's public art collection and Creative District activities, and the need for an alternate lodging-tax or grant administration plan if staff capacity is cut.
Council members repeatedly emphasized that cuts would have long-term consequences for economic development and the city's tax base. Several asked the administration to clearly label "must-pay" obligations (contracted or legally required expenditures) versus discretionary items when staff returns with department-level detail.
Mayor Rosen and staff said directors would be available at a future Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss specific programmatic impacts and public engagement plans. The council did not take votes on scenario changes during the May 13 session.
