Bothell council approves budget amendment to begin Safe Streets and Sidewalks levy work

The Bothell City Council voted 6–0 on March 3 to adopt an ordinance amending the 2025–26 biennium budget to reflect revenue from the recently approved Safe Streets and Sidewalks levy and begin implementing projects this year.

Public Works Director Erin Lenhard told the council the ordinance is needed because the 2026 budget adopted in December did not include the newly available levy revenue. Lenhard said the levy will direct 38% of funding to street operations and maintenance and the remaining 62% to programs and capital projects identified in the city’s comprehensive plan, with a new 26% allocation for multimodal transportation projects.

"This amendment is necessary to both reflect the new revenues from the levy as well as to begin implementation of the programs that we promised to focus on," Lenhard said.

Finance Manager Miles Walker said the ordinance implements about $10 million in 2026 revenue into the street fund, with transfers among the capital improvement fund, arterial street fund and the general fund to support engineering and operations. Walker said the ordinance also updates the authorized positions list to add five full‑time equivalent staffers: two members for a new multimodal and safety operations team, an engineering technician for transportation operations and two senior capital engineers to manage projects.

Council members praised the levy margin and the department’s work. "Sixty‑nine percent of the vote is a great margin," Council Member Britney Miles said, noting sidewalk and neighborhood safety improvements in her own area. Council Member Dodd thanked staff for visible results in neighborhoods.

Council Member Kurd moved to approve the ordinance; Council Member Dodd seconded the motion. The clerk recorded six yes votes; Mayor Mason Thompson was absent and excused. The ordinance passed with no abstentions.

The ordinance covers only the first year of levy implementation; staff said a broader 2027–28 budget package will return to council with more detailed program budgets, schedules and grant‑pursuit plans. Lenhard and Walker said early uses of levy funds will include pavement preservation on local streets, enhanced safe school walk routes with new biking improvements, maintenance of the North Creek trail system, upgrades to city‑owned street lights, and work on 20 mph local speed limits and micro‑mobility feasibility studies.

The council adjourned to an executive session later in the evening to consider real estate matters and took no further action on the levy ordinance at that time.