Everett opens public hearings on 2026 budget and property tax levies; staff projects 1% levy growth
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Summary
Finance staff presented the proposed 2026 operating budget and the regular and EMS property‑tax levy ordinances (each including a 1% levy increase), described revenue allocation across jurisdictions, and opened public hearings that remain open to Nov. 19.
City finance staff presented the proposed 2026 operating budget and the city’s property‑tax levy ordinances for general government and emergency medical services (EMS). The presentations described the citywide revenue and expenditure picture, how property‑tax dollars are distributed among jurisdictions, and the staff assumptions used for the six‑year forecast.
Key figures in the presentation: The proposed 2026 regular levy amount shown to council was approximately $42.4 million and the EMS levy approximately $10.4 million, plus additional amounts for new construction, annexations, state‑assessed utilities and refund levies. Staff noted the long‑running effect of Washington’s 1% property‑tax limit: they illustrated that the purchasing power of a dollar of property tax set in 2001 has declined substantially (about to 52¢ in real terms by 2025 when adjusted for CPI). Finance staff used the average assessed value for an Everett home ($537,200 in 2025 per the Snohomish County assessor) and an average assessed increase of 4.96% to show that, despite assessed‑value growth, the combined levy rate would drop from $1.88 to $1.83 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2026; on a typical homeowner the combined regular+EMS levy payment would rise by about $24.20 (roughly 2.4%).
Scope and timing: Council opened public hearings on both the regular and EMS levy ordinances and on the 2026 appropriation ordinance; hearings remain open until the council’s Nov. 19 meeting when third readings and final votes are scheduled. Staff emphasized that non‑general‑government funds (utilities, transit, etc.) are supported largely by fees and rates and cannot be used to subsidize general government operations.
Budget priorities and highlights: Finance presented five priorities guiding the proposed budget (housing/transportation/infrastructure; safe community; responsive/responsible government; economic/workforce/cultural vitality; engaged and informed community). The proposed citywide appropriation shown was $943,826,973; proposed total citywide revenues were described as approximately $574 million and total expenditures about $612.7 million for the period covered by the presentation (note: non‑general‑government funds and planned bond proceeds were explained in the slides). Staff outlined department‑level changes, a proposed water/sewer bond issue tied to major utility capital projects (a $95 million planned transfer to utilities construction tied to a 2026 revenue bond), and personnel adjustments across several departments.
What’s next: Council left public hearings open to Nov. 19. Staff offered to provide follow‑up details at council request (examples raised by councilors included historical jail fee trends, red‑light/photo‑enforcement revenue neutrality and timeline for final adoption). The budget process will continue with two additional public hearings (Nov. 12 and Nov. 19) and anticipated final action at the Nov. 19 meeting.
