Sunnyside holds public hearing on proposed 2026 property-tax levy; council delays vote

The Sunnyside City Council opened a public hearing Oct. 27 to take public comment on the city's proposed 2026 ad valorem property tax levy. City staff said the proposal requests the allowable 1% increase on the levy and includes a refund of $37,765.15 tied to prior-year collections; the council did not vote and will consider the measure at the second reading.

Why it matters: city staff said the 1% increase would mean approximately $27,188 more in revenue for the city in 2026, split across property taxpayers and other property owners in Sunnyside. Council members and staff discussed how growth, new construction and later-collected taxes factor into the calculation that determines the final allowable increase.

Monica Hofstetter, the finance lead who presented the item, said the 1% figure represents the statutory allowance plus adjustments for new construction and refunds: "The difference is what you project for the increase in construction and, the maximum allowed with the tax base." Deputy Mayor asked how the 1% translates to a homeowner's bill; Hofstetter said it would be a modest cents-per-bill change (for a typical $1,500 tax bill, roughly $10 annually split across two payments).

No members of the public spoke during the hearing after the staff presentation. Several council members asked staff how the city will communicate the change to residents; staff said the hearing had been advertised, information would appear in the newspaper and on the city website, and utility bills or flyers are used historically.

The council closed the hearing and will take final action at a future meeting after the required second reading.