Will you chip in to support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation today? Yes, I want to support My Edmonds News!
An open letter to Edmonds City Counci Councilmembers:
As you finalize your position on the proposed levy lid lift, I urge you to pause and evaluate this decision through a risk/reward perspective. At this point, what are our true priorities? Are we focused on restoring Edmonds’ financial stability with sound fiscal policies, or are we risking a “no” vote through an overly aggressive and greedy “ask”? Are we about to repeat past mistakes by pursuing aggressive spending without a clear plan or sufficient safeguards?
Just six months ago, you approved a budget based on a $6 million levy lid lift for this fall. Now, that figure has more than doubled to $14.5 million. What changed so dramatically in such a short time? Was there financial mismanagement, or was the initial figure set low to ensure budget approval? Was there a lack of transparency, or does this reveal deeper issues with budgeting and forecasting?
While passing a $14.5 million levy would provide significant resources for both essential needs and many discretionary projects, this must be matched by strong financial controls and responsible oversight. Have we put the necessary policies in place to prevent a return to unchecked spending?
The risk of a ‘”no” vote is more serious. The resolution you recently adopted spells out deep cuts that could impact core services if the levy fails—a sobering reality. And a “no” vote is highly likely as this levy would make Edmonds’ property taxes about 50% higher than neighboring cities, a tough sell given that 75% of households earn less than the city’s average income. Many may simply vote with their wallets when faced with a 126% increase in the city levy rate.
Ultimately, the question is whether this path reflects responsible governance or an unsustainable appetite for new revenue without a plan. You’ve entered the realm of gambling, and this decision is too important to gamble with. I urge you to carefully weigh both the risks and rewards, and to consider less risky alternatives that have a better chance of gaining voter approval.
Jim Ogonowski lives in Edmonds
Very well said, Jim. It will be difficult to get the buy in needed from the citizens of Edmonds without a much more thorough explanation behind such an increase from $6 mil to $14.5 mil. Thank you for providing this information.
Jim, Very well stated . The let’s go for more, attitude of the City shows nothing with them has changed and it confirms what their future actions will be. I hope the residents are paying attention. Unsustainable appetite with no control hits the nail on the head and once that door is opened we as citizens are headed for financial disaster because they will never go for control, just max increases at every opportunity. I think they have already made this very clear. I for one would NEVER vote for this proposed levy, it’s ridiculous and out of control greed, not purpose.
Thank you Jim for your well thought out and documented article. A 126% increase in the city levy on top of 90% increase in RFA tax(with no increase in service) due to poor negotiations with the RFA, will be unaffordable by many.
This tax increase coming on top of an increase in many State taxes and fees(including 6cents per gallon starting in July), as well as increases in county taxes will a huge burden on ALL of our citizens.
It amazes me that the same politicians who claim that housing is too expensive, and we don’t have enough of it, are raising the cost of housing.
I’ve learned how this City thinks over the past 12 yrs ! In billing a number of us in Esperance for storm water they stick to per Taraday, the “Mailed” wording on the Ordinance annual increase’s, but not the “annual rate” part. So we pay the “annual” increase for 6 months of that year, then we pay the next 6 months at the higher rate of following year ( because it increases every year!) and because of date they “mail” it. Purposely two months into following year rather than in year of billing dates, because that way they collect extra. They know it is wrong and they don’t care they like it. So, we get overcharged and they get extra money. This is the mentality we are dealing with, remember that with this levy. So “mailing date” works for their purpose but “annual” doesn’t so they just ignore that part of Ordinance. And it’s not illegal they have no regulations or laws in this City to prevent it. It’s a play on words with ordinance using “mailed” instead of effective date. But like i said the “annual” rate for us is NOT annual it’s 6 months, and the City gains. Keep that in mind with regard to their Levy.
When I saw that RFA monstrosity pass based on fear tactics and illegal actions by a sitting Mayor and Council, I knew it was time to just, “get out of Dodge(Edmonds). The sad thing about all of our politics at virtually all levels of government is that fear mongering, lack of transparency and just straight out dishonesty work and Edmonds has been a prime example of that for many, many years now. The “affordable” housing mantra from the ultra- Left and their draconian local zoning take over has driven up the value of property in Edmonds, not lowered it. Our home sold for way more than it would have prior to passage of those laws, partly because there was still some open space and on site parking and not just a giant house taking up the whole parcel I suspect. It was a great place to live for us, but almost every decision coming out of our city government made it just a little more expensive and a little less desirable place to keep living. We realized that if RFA passed after massive push back, the G.F. levy would be bigger than first advertised and will probably pass based on fear of the alternative. I think we made the right move.
There seems to be little care or consideration for the middle class, low-income, or fixed-income residents from either the City or KEV. I can assure you that all of us want a thriving Edmonds. In fact, many of the residents calling for fiscal responsibility are the same ones volunteering in our parks.
I’m now left wondering—were our parks ever truly in danger of being sold, or was it simply a tactic to generate support for the large levy lift?
My hope is that we can unite as a community and develop alternatives to a significant property tax increase.
– Jim, thank you for another great LTE.
Jim-
Excellent article. It exposes the Mayor’s and Council’s failures to deliver on accountability, fiscal control, transparency, common sense, and putting the taxpayer first. Sadly, taxpayers have been treated with disrespect and are expected to pay double and triple taxes for no increase in services just to allow the City to continue its excessive spending and inept, mismanaged practices. It shows how the KeepEdmondsVibrant group is nothing more than a mouthpiece for the Council. Taxpayers beware! It’s important to note that Edmonds could be saving $5-$7 million PER YEAR in police costs by going to a more efficient (and equally effective) County Sheriff model like Shoreline. Shoreline’s County contract costs residents 35-40% less per YEAR and offers Shoreline logos on uniforms and police cars; a range of investigative, canine, and SWAT services; more career opportunities for police officers; and city control of the budget. Combine this savings with the $8 million+ that the Council has not collected from the RFA for past hospital/GEMT transport fees and the $7 million that City does not pay the RFA for 2025 post-annexation services, and there’s an additional $22 million available for the 2026 budget. Make you voice heard. Demand that the Council delay a tax levy increase until spending is brought under control.
Speak publicly at July 1 Council meeting.
Email the Council: Council@edmondswa.gov
Sign Petition: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-45-million-in-new-taxes
Looks like a triple to me, highest amongst our peers. For what I ask? I would rather have the Deadmonds of old. No waiting at restaurants no problem finding free parking a sewer system that worked. We got a nice place, how do we keep it ? The keep Edmonds vibrant group looks to the outside for things that make Edmonds less desirable to the people that live here. For sure there needs to be some balance of interest. But if I am going to have to pay triple in just a year then I want special consideration whatever that means. But it seems with the direction we are going I will pay the greatest price and those outside will benefit from my support due to government wants, not citizen needs. Are we a bedroom community that covers the basics or a tourist destination that is supported by its visitors, this says we are a tourist destination supported by the people that live here not the people coming here.
What’s so sad is the Edmonds mayor, city council, finance department, and treasurer, have never told the citizens what really put us into this financial mess. When Rosen became Mayor, he was asked by many people, including myself, how this happened. He said it didn’t matter, this is where we are at, and we must move forward. Well, I disagree. If you don’t know how the city got into this financial mess, and how the system of checks and balances failed, how can you avoid making the same mistakes? Personally, I want some guarantees that if this Levy passes, our $14.5 million dollars won’t be squandered away. How are they going to manage it differently? The citizens are entitled to these answers before we vote yes on this very expensive proposal.
Your Mayor billed himself as some sort of management whiz, backed by some of the very same people who caused most of your financial problems in the first place, and the majority of you took their bait hook line and sinker. It doesn’t matter how you got here because they don’t want you to know why and how you got here. It turns out the “secret (management) sauce” is just a huge property tax hike to solve all your problems. Sort of just like the beautiful simplicity of the RFA takeover of fire and ems they sold you. Now that is some real astute planning and special management strategy isn’t it? “Fool me once same on you; fool me twice shame on me” – applies in this situation. Vote wisely.
This levy will not only effect homeowners like me who are tapped out with all the tax increases in our area, but renters as well. Owners will have no choice, but to increase rents even further. I bought into Edmonds in my mid 20s and there is no way my young adult kids can afford to live in Edmonds like I was able too. On another note, I’m not sure if the signs put up by the city of Edmonds parks department talking about their budget cutbacks are a way of guilting us into voting for more taxes or if there is another intended reason.