University Place reviews proposed 2026 property tax levy; public hearing set for Nov. 17

The University Place City Council received a staff briefing Nov. 3 on the draft 2026 property tax levy and directed staff to return with a formal ordinance and public hearing on Nov. 17.

Finance Director Leslie Blaisdell said the county’s preliminary certified assessed values show a citywide increase of 4.27%. She said implementing the voter‑approved 1% statutory increase would add about $60,220.63 to the city’s levy; administrative refunds were estimated at roughly $14,000 and additional new construction about $30,000. "To implement the voter approved 1% statutory increase, it's necessary to adopt an ordinance," Blaisdell told the council. She said the estimated levy revenue for public safety under those assumptions is $7,152,170.70 and that the estimated levy rate would be 0.65219 per $1,000 for taxpayers with an exemption and 0.95341 per $1,000 for other taxpayers.

Blaisdell also noted the figures are preliminary and can shift if assessed values are appealed at year end. She told the council the city must certify its levy back to the county before Thanksgiving. "We will get final values and final numbers at the end of the year as there can be appeals," she said.

Council members pressed staff for clarity on how much of a homeowner’s tax bill goes to the city. Blaisdell said roughly 9% of a typical property‑tax payment comes to the city and provided an example: for a home valued at $525,000 the city's share would be about $499 of the total bill. Council members also emphasized that the city dedicates its property‑tax levy revenue to public safety and that the 1% statutory increase is intended to help offset inflationary costs; staff said August CPI‑U for the Seattle‑Tacoma‑Bellevue area was expected to be 2.8% for 2026 indexing.

Next steps: the council scheduled a public hearing and formal consideration on Nov. 17 and directed staff to prepare the ordinance and certification materials for the county by the Thanksgiving deadline.