Orting council adopts 2026 property tax levy of $1,473,488.30 after public hearing

The Orting City Council on Oct. 29 adopted a resolution requesting a 2026 property tax levy of $1,473,488.30, the amount staff described as the highest lawful levy under state limits.

At a public hearing, Finance Director Tammy reviewed levy‑lid and statutory rate limits under Washington law (citing the RCW provisions discussed in the presentation) and presented the city’s assessed valuation and how the two legal tests determine the maximum levy a city may request. Tammy said the proposed 2026 levy "complies with both the 1% levy‑lid and statutory rate limits." The presentation listed preliminary assessed valuations and noted the city’s portion of property tax would fall to about $1 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2026.

The council heard one public question about a regional transit charge that appears on local property tax bills and license tabs; Councilmember Moore explained Sound Transit’s Regional Transit Authority assessments and said Orting currently has no seat on the RTA board. During council discussion, Moore questioned why the motion on the floor asked for the higher of two statutory calculations when the presentation described choosing the lesser limit; staff later clarified the calculation method and the specific levy amount.

A motion to approve the resolution requesting the levy of $1,473,488.30 was made and seconded, and the council voted 7–0 to adopt it. The motion record shows the vote tally but did not record individual members as opposition. The record indicates staff will proceed to incorporate the levy into the 2026 budget as presented.

The resolution followed the rules the council announced for the hearing: testimony limited to three minutes per speaker and the council’s consideration of citizen input in its decision‑making.

Next steps: the council will include the approved levy in the 2026 budget process and continue budget hearings and related votes in subsequent meetings.