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City proposes $5.24 million 2026 levy; CFO outlines modest city‑portion increase
Summary
City CFO Cassandra Raymond presented a proposed 2026 ad valorem levy of $5,240,678 and said the city‑portion levy rate would be about $0.91 per $1,000 of assessed value, yielding an average annual increase of $13.26 for a typical single‑family homeowner.
Cassandra Raymond, the city’s chief financial officer, opened the public hearing on the 2026 ad valorem property tax levy (Resolution 1732) and explained the levy process under RCW 84.55.120. Raymond said property tax is the city’s most stable general‑fund revenue and accounts for about 21% of Sumner’s general fund. Using Pierce County’s preliminary assessed valuation, staff presented a proposed levy for tax year 2026 of $5,240,678, which includes the statutorily allowed 1% increase plus additional revenue from new construction, improvements and refunds. Raymond estimated the levy rate at about $0.91 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. For an average single‑family homeowner, she said the city‑portion increase would be about $13.26 annually (about $1.11 per month).
Raymond provided context on assessed‑valuation composition (industrial property accounts for roughly 54% of the city’s assessed valuation; commercial ~17%; residential ~29% split between single‑family and multifamily). The hearing was opened for public comment and later closed; staff will return to council with a final resolution for adoption on Nov. 17 and must certify the levy to Pierce County by Nov. 28.
No significant public opposition to the levy was recorded at the hearing; a public commenter on other agenda items asked that staff provide more granular monthly calculations of how utility debt affects bills (a separate topic).
