Shoreline council opens hearings on 2026 property tax levy and mid‑biennial budget; staff flags rising police costs

Shoreline officials opened two public hearings Monday to review the proposed 2026 property tax levy and a mid‑biennial budget amendment that includes fee schedule changes, capital updates and one‑time spending requests.

Administrative Services Director Joe Brandstetter introduced Budget and Tax Manager Christie Hopkins, who told the council the third‑quarter snapshot shows general‑fund revenues at about 64% of budget and expenditures at about 60% through September. Hopkins said property‑tax collections run at roughly 54% of the allowable levy at this point in the year and that sales tax receipts are down about 5.3% from last year, driven largely by a roughly 19% decline in construction sales tax.

Hopkins said the proposed 2026 levy uses the voter‑approved levy lift and the June‑to‑June CPI of 2.683%, plus revenue from new construction and refunds. Staff estimated 2026 property‑tax receipts at about $25.8 million and an estimated city levy rate of $1.49; she also noted a voter‑approved parks…