Kenmore council adopts regular and excess property tax levies; council affirms walkways & waterways bond payments

The Kenmore City Council voted unanimously to adopt two property tax ordinances that set the city's regular levy and the excess levy to cover bond obligations.

Finance Director Melinda Murrell presented the regular levy proposal, describing a proposed levy of $6,365,600 — a 3.91% increase that combines the 1% regular increase, banked capacity, and new construction. Murrell illustrated how property tax distributions work and provided example bills for illustrative home values; she said only a small portion of a homeowner's total tax bill goes to Kenmore's operating account and that the walkways and waterways bond comprises a modest fraction of the total tax burden.

Murrell also discussed the excess levy for walkways and waterways bonds, explaining the outstanding bond principal and the levy rate required to cover principal and interest in 2026. She told the council the city had issued $18,100,000 in bonds and currently had approximately $12,315,000 outstanding; the 2026 payment need was described in the staff presentation and packet.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about the distribution of tax dollars across jurisdictions and observed that the city's share of the tax pie is below prior levels for similar bond measures. After discussion, the council approved the regular property tax levy (Ordinance 25‑0‑6‑3‑6) and then moved to adopt the excess levy (Ordinance 25‑0‑6‑3‑7); both ordinances were adopted by unanimous vote.

The adopted levies will fund the city's general operations and bond obligations according to the schedule described by staff; specific effective dates and rates will be implemented through the city's tax collection process.