Snoqualmie council rejects motion to place 2027 levy lid lift on the November ballot

The Snoqualmie City Council on Aug. 3 voted against moving Resolution 17-49 — a proposed levy lid lift intended to address a projected 2027 revenue shortfall — to this November's ballot.

Council member Johnson moved to adopt the resolution; the motion was seconded. After more than an hour of public comment and council discussion focused on timeline, data clarity, and alternatives, the chair called the vote and declared, "The nays have it." The transcript records Council member Johnson as voting in favor; the motion failed.

Council members repeatedly raised concerns about the pace of the process and the information provided. Council member Murphy said the city had received multiple, inconsistent figures for the budget gap — including $180,000, $1.5 million and $3.4 million — and that 21 days was not enough time to vet options. Council member Tessman said she had received nearly only opposition in constituent emails and asked for more public engagement and analysis of levy structure alternatives.

During discussion, council members emphasized alternatives if the measure does not proceed. Several asked the administration to present a balanced budget with proposed cuts — "somewhere around $1,500,000 worth of cuts" was raised by Council member Johnson — and to hold additional town halls and post more detailed materials to the city website.

The council did not adopt Resolution 17-49 and provided direction to the mayor's office and department heads to continue collaboration on budget options and community outreach before returning with more detailed proposals and analysis.