Whether the Edmonds City Council should change the amount levied for the general property tax in 2026 if the City of Edmonds joins the Regional Fire Authority (RFA) is the topic of a public hearing during the Tuesday, Sept. 10 council meeting.
The current contract with South County Fire for fire and emergency medical services (EMS) will end Dec. 31, 2025. The city council has been considering options for future fire and EMS services, including Edmonds’ starting its own fire department, contracting with a fire service provider or joining the South County Regional Fire Authority via annexation.
Annexation changes the way fire and EMS are funded. If approved by voters, city property owners would pay the RFA directly for these services. The city would no longer fund fire and EMS out of its general fund.
If annexation is approved, what will Edmonds do with the money it has been spending on fire and EMS? Will Edmonds reallocate those dollars to other city programs and needs? Or will the city reduce its general property tax levy?
Also on the council agenda:
– Construction contract award for the Main Street Overlay Project
– Presentation of Highway 99 Stages 3 and 4 overhead utility line conversion
There will also be a proclamation of Puget Sound Starts Here Month.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the council chambers, Public Safety Complex, 250 5th Ave. N. The meeting will also be streamed live on the Council Meeting webpage, Comcast channel 21, and Ziply channel 39.
You can see the entire 7 p.m. meeting agenda here.
Prior to that 7 p.m. meeting, the council will hold a 5 p.m. special meeting Tuesday to discuss the Transportation Plan update of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan and to interview two candidates for appointment to the Edmonds Planning Board.
That meeting will be in the Edmonds City Hall third-floor Brackett Room, 121 5th Ave. N., Edmonds. You can see the complete agenda for the 5 p.m. meeting here.
You can also view either or both meetings remotely at https://zoom.us/j/95798484261. Or connect by phone at +1 253 215 8782. The Webinar ID is 957 9848 4261.
The City Council should make it clear to the public on exactly what they’re expecting to get out of the public hearing on property tax implications. I’m not sure that there is anyone in Edmonds that would like to pay more property taxes – many are fed-up with the taxes we have already. And many more citizens who actually track City operations (i.e., the “informed” citizens) are upset that the City is in this situation due to the past Administration’s Program Director’s who didn’t even wince when they overspent their budget or found good excuses to spend more than they should have.
So….. Is the purpose of this public hearing to:
1) Have the Council hear something “jaw-dropping” that they haven’t heard already?
2) Allow the City to “Check-the-Box” so they can say they had a Public Hearing (without any discussion of what was actually said by the public)? [the public knows that some Council members already have their mind made-up on this issue and anything said by the public will not change their upcoming vote]
3) Tally how many citizens are for or against a budget ‘credit’ to any new fire or EMT costs to citizens?
[this “tally” would be better served with an online survey so that public hearing participation is not affected by “informed” citizens watching the presidential debate]
Well said, Joe. I contacted CM’s & Mayor directly, was happy to get responses (they seem willing to listen). Suggest everyone, respectfully contact them too or speak up during the meeting.
This has all become really simple for me. I’m going to openly oppose any new local taxes at all on all us middle class folks who are already being asked to pay most of the bills at all levels of government. Fortunately the city has to come to the citizens to get approval on Fire Service and there will be plenty of public debate when that ballot event occurs down the road and the real numbers get publicized. I predict the city will try to sell the higher taxation based on fear tactics (think the Connector) rather than admitting any bad past management or putting major wants ahead of major needs for the past 20 plus years or so. There is lots of Kabuki Theater and past masters trying to control future events to complement their past going on in our current city government. It’s time to just say no more foolishness and demand the practice of self control and proper prioritization in use of our City tax dollars. CM President Olson and Mayor Rosen have talked a good game in terms of “righting the ship” and I think they mean very well but they need to figure out where the rubber meets the road so to speak and function all in the present; forgetting the past.
Unfortunately bad timing, 2 major debates. Curious how many residents were all to participate.
The public hearing tonight was a failure. Council chamber was virtually empty. Only one person spoke, then the mayor had to close the hearing.
What Edmonds city taxpayers need to do is form some sort of TEA Party type coalition, making it clear that we are tired of being blackmailed by groups like RFA, scared to death about “what if’s” like the Connector, sold a bill of goods on Waste Treatment technology, and constantly being milked for useless causes like Landmark. and the Missing Link with illegal offers to buy stuff behind our CC’s back and an attorney acting as an 8th. City Council person to defeat good legislation with lawsuit scare tactics. It is beyond belief what we have been putting up here even long before Nelson’s mismanagement. I’m not voting for anymore taxation on myself because these people simply do not know how to take money seriously and always do first things first for the least amount of cost they can. No RFA and NO Bailout money period! Figure out what we have coming in and live on that. If we need to charge for medical calls do it. If we need to charge for access to city parks do it (the State does). If County can provide Police Service at 30 to 50% less, do it. Charge a fee to use the Dive Park. That’s how normal people live, making choices based on what they can afford.