Edmonds council approves $14.5 million levy lid lift for November ballot

The Edmonds City Council voted 5–2 on July 8 to place a $14.5 million levy lid lift on the November 2025 ballot, dedicating the proceeds to police, parks, planning and streets and sidewalks.

Councilmember Dasch moved to approve the resolution; the motion passed after a public discussion that focused on how narrowly the ballot language limits use of proceeds. Councilmember Nand noted the legally operative sections state the funds would be dedicated to the Edmonds Police Department, Edmonds Park and Recreation Department, Planning Department and the streets-and-sidewalks portion of Public Works. "Those are distinct departments within the administration and therefore the funding would only be able to apply towards" those areas, Nand said.

Councilmember Dasch said she would oppose the measure because the proposed $14.5 million amount "does not have the proper metrics associated with it to show the public exactly where that money is going," and cited concerns for residents on fixed incomes. Councilmember Ek and others said the city has not raised city property taxes in many years and that the measure is intended to prevent further cuts to critical services and to address deferred maintenance.

The motion carried 5–2. The council record shows the city estimates the levy would address a $6 million operating shortfall included in the 2026 budget planning and provide additional funding for deferred maintenance and reserve replenishment; specific project-level allocations beyond the four enumerated departmental categories were not specified in the resolution. The ballot language cited by council limits uses to the four categories listed above; councilmembers debated whether that constraint improves transparency or restricts flexibility.

The council also approved a process to form pro and con committees for the ballot measure and announced an application process for committee volunteers to the public.