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After public hearing, Marysville council votes to exceed revenue-neutral rate and adopts 2026 budget
Summary
Following a public hearing with residents urging tax restraint, the Marysville City Council voted to exceed the county-defined revenue-neutral rate and approved the 2026 budget; council discussion said increased revenue will be directed to needs such as code enforcement.
After a public hearing and resident comments, the Marysville City Council voted to adopt a property-tax rate exceeding the county-defined revenue-neutral rate and then approved its 2026 budget.
City staff opened a hearing on the revenue-neutral rate, noting that the county-defined revenue-neutral rate was 62.71 mills and that the city proposed a rate of 68.418 mills, which the city said would generate approximately $2,845,777 in ad valorem taxes at the proposed rate. The council said it had notified the county of its intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate and opened the matter for public comment.
Ellen Barber of Ward 2 addressed the council during the hearing and urged caution about raising taxes. "I don't intend to do that, but I do intend to tell you my situation and my story," she said, listing six reasons she opposed exceeding the neutral rate, including increased school taxes, property taxes, a recent water-rate increase and concerns about fixed-income residents.
During council discussion staff and council members said that any additional funds recovered by exceeding the revenue-neutral rate should be directed toward priorities that the council and community agree need funding, specifically citing code enforcement as a quality-of-life and economic-development priority.
A motion to adopt Resolution 2025-16 to exceed the revenue-neutral rate (62.71) was moved and seconded and the record shows the motion carried. The council then opened and closed a public hearing on the 2026 budget, moved to approve the 2026 budget and approved it by voice vote.
Details - County revenue-neutral rate: 62.71 mills (as cited by staff in the hearing). - Proposed city rate discussed in hearing: 68.418 mills (staff estimate; reported ad valorem amount ~$2,845,777). - Public comment: Ellen Barber (Ward 2) spoke at length opposing further tax increases and cited multiple household impacts. - Council direction: Additional revenue to be dedicated to agreed priorities, with code enforcement mentioned by name. - Outcome: Council adopted Resolution 2025-16 (to exceed the revenue-neutral rate) and approved the 2026 budget; motions moved and seconded and approved in the meeting record.
The council closed the hearings and took the two votes in the same meeting, advancing the budget and tax decisions for implementation in 2026.
