Edmonds councilmembers on June 24 narrowed a levy proposal and approved an amendment setting a first‑year levy lid lift amount of $14,500,000 before directing the city attorney to refine ballot language and phasing for a follow‑up public hearing.

How the council reached the number: Council President Tibbitt proposed reducing the mayor’s earlier $19.4 million proposal by an identified $5 million in non‑property tax revenues, offering $14.5 million as a compromise figure. "The levy amount that I would like to propose is $14,500,000 for the levy amount," Tibbitt said when offering the amendment.

Key votes and amendments: The council voted 5 to 2 to adopt the $14.5 million amendment (Councilmembers Ek, Tibbitt, Olsen, Payne and Nand voted in favor; Councilmembers Chen and Dodge opposed). After further motions and discussion about phasing, the council considered making the levy a permanent multiyear lid lift phased over six years; legal staff explained that the draft resolution already described a multiyear permanent levy and that council must state the first‑year amount. Councilmember Nand sought to phase implementation over six years; councilmembers discussed the mechanics and whether to set a specific year‑by‑year schedule.

Purpose language and next steps: City Attorney and staff recommended clearer language that would tell voters how the money would be used; council debated whether the resolution should explicitly say one‑time dollars could be used to replenish reserves or repay loans. A separate amendment to remove language about replenishing reserves failed 4‑3; a later motion to remove four Whereas clauses about one‑time funds passed 5‑1 with one abstention. Ultimately the council voted 6‑1 to direct the city attorney to revise the resolution with a clarified purpose statement and to return the revised resolution for the public hearing packet. Council also discussed phasing mechanics and the need to work with the county assessor and add a cushion for exemptions.

Why it matters: Council members repeatedly said the levy lift is intended to restore city services and staffing cut during past budgets and to provide sustainable funding for day‑to‑day operations. Debate focused on balancing service needs, tax impact on households, timing and the council’s preference to pursue some non‑property revenue options simultaneously.

Outcome and follow up: The council’s immediate, binding decision was the 5‑2 adoption of a $14,500,000 first‑year levy amount; the council then directed the city attorney to revise the proposed resolution language and return with a packet for the public hearing. Staff will calculate a ballot rate that accounts for exemptions and provide a draft purpose statement for the July hearing schedule.

Ending: The council set a concrete levy figure but left purpose wording and the precise phasing schedule to be clarified before public hearings and final adoption.