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Key takeaways
- Council approves 1% increase in 2026 property taxes.
- Residents express support for tall trees as critical areas ordinance update wraps up.
- Residents again call for change to the North Bowl rezone.
- Public works and parks and recreation staff share details of long-range plans.
- Councilmembers and public express frustration over budget issues.
The Edmonds City Council chambers drew both an in-person and virtual crowd Tuesday night as residents lined up to speak during five public hearings. Commenters expressed full-throated frustration over the City’s budget situation and proposed tax increases after the Nov. 4 defeat of Proposition 1, the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift.
“I am astounded that after 59% of voters rejected a tax increase the Council is now considering multiple tax increases,” resident Ann Christiansen said, referring to public hearings on revenue-generating proposals related to utility licenses, the city’s Transportation Benefit District and property taxes. “I am astounded that the [proposed] tax increase was announced less than 24 hours ago but billed as community involvement and transparency.”
“Additional taxation on the citizens right now is going to be the ruination of many people… You need to cut everything that needs to be cut,” resident Debbie Humann said.
“A lot of us are fed up,” resident Mary Jane Goss said. “This [new taxes] is something that should not be included. If you do a good job this year, then maybe residents will give you a bit of grace next year.”
Resident and former council candidate Joseph Ademofe had a different take. He wanted to see a better Edmonds. “Sit down and think about it. Have some pride,” he said, looking at those in the room. “Where do you think the money will come from?”
Councilmembers listened and later shared their own experiences and frustration from the past year. They spoke of the challenges of balancing City needs and requirements and constituent pain and fear.
Councilmember Chris Eck addressed some of the concerns head-on. “I would like to talk to you for a moment. Everybody is listening,” she said. “I disagree with the accusation of lack of transparency. Through this whole process, we followed our requirements to make sure public meetings are posted. You are all invited, documents are available to you all. I realize these are such difficult conversations… I appreciate all the feedback we’ve had over the last year.”
Councilmembers then discussed the 1% property tax increase.
“I wish it were different,” Councilmember Susan Paine said, referencing the 1% property tax cap that limits how much money a city can take in from property tax. “What if a business was limited to being able to increase their revenues by only 1% each year? They would be out of business fairly quickly.”
Councilmember Will Chen said that “inflation is a reality we cannot avoid.”
Councilmember Neil Tibbott echoed Chen. “Taking a look and comprehending the impact of inflation… including a roughly 30% inflation rate over the last four years. It’s been devastating.”
Councilmember Jenna Nand said the choice to add taxes isn’t easy. “It pains me to vote for another regressive tax. I want police. I want this to be a safe and clean community.” She went on to talk about the issue of billionaires not paying their fair share of taxes and putting the burden on the less wealthy.
The Council voted 7-0 to accept the 1% property tax increase allowable under current law. With that increase, the City will get $115,000. That increase is spread across all property owners. As an example, the owner of an $800,000 house will pay $5.75 more in property taxes in 2026.
The Council is looking at other revenue-generation ideas. “We have a list of 100 ideas,” said Mayor Mike Rosen.
Tuesday night, though, councilmembers reviewed a possible increase in utility taxes, which include water, sewer, stormwater and solid waste. City Attorney Jeff Taraday reported that each tax could be increased up to 10% without voter approval.
Residents were frustrated about that too.
“My water and sewer bill, the last one, was $500, said Gwen, a senior citizen. “If you add utility tax without approval, it will put me over the edge.”
Also under consideration is a local business and occupation tax. Salish Sea Brewing owner and Edmonds Councilmember-elect Erika Barnett echoed several in chambers who said small businesses are struggling and can’t afford it.
“Nobody is really making a profit right now,” Barnett said. “Please truly consider not doing a B&O tax. It will change the landscape of our community. .. Take a pause.” She went on to encourage the Council to tap into the community. “We need to tap that resource. Truly roll up our sleeves and figure it out together.”
The Council took no action on a possible utility or B&O tax increase.
North Bowl Hub Rezone
As part of the housing requirement to create neighborhood hubs and centers, the North Bowl Hub will be rezoned to allow for multifamily homes. Recent proposals have carved out exceptions. At the Tuesday public hearing, several residents wanted to add six properties south of Puget Drive to those exceptions based on traffic safety and congestion concerns.
The six parcels under discussion are shaded at the lower right of the map shown above.
The Council will vote on the rezone Dec. 9.
Draft Critical Areas Ordinance Periodic Update
The draft critical areas ordinance update (CAO), a years-long undertaking, is close to complete. During the public hearing, resident after resident heaped praise on Senior Planner Brad Shipley for his commitment, openness and engagement with local community experts.
“Prior to [Shipley’s reorganization], it was a bit of a mess and relied too much on institutional knowledge,” Town of Woodway Councilmember John Brock said. “We are confident that this update and code reorganization will go a long way to clarifying the permitting process.”
“I want to thank the city for ongoing collaboration around protecting Edmonds’ drinking water resources,” said Bob Danson, Olympic View Water and Sewer District general manager.
Shipley said the update will make it easier for residents and developers to get the right information in a timely manner, which improves efficiencies for the entire process.
One issue still unresolved is whether retaining tall trees on slopes greater than 25% will be in the CAO. Shipley has said it will be part of the updated land use maps.
“Trees need the strongest protection of the CAO that is not available in the tree code,” said Arlene Williams, who wants to see the requirement in both the tree code and the CAO.
Ordinance adoption is scheduled for Dec. 9
Parks and Recreation and Public Works CIP/CFP: 2026-2031
Staff presented their 2026-2021 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) and Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CFP is a planning tool related to growth while the CIP focuses on maintenance of existing facilities.
Parks and Recreation staff laid out its six-year work plan with a theme of recovery, responsibility, renewal. Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Shannon Burley said COVID was hard on parks — they were used a lot and not maintained as they should be.
Additionally, the parks department added Civic Park and the Edmonds Waterfront Center to its portfolio. Burley said the department’s focus is on deferred maintenance and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
Deputy Public Works Director and City Engineer Mike De Lilla presented a detailed list of upcoming projects and where they stand. They include pavement preservation, street overlays, and pedestrian and intersection improvements along with storm maintenance projects, reservoir upgrades and water and sewer replacements.
There were no comments at the public hearing for these plans. Approval is set for Dec. 9.
Co-living Housing Code Update
Co-living housing is a new idea to increase the amount and variety of affordable housing in expensive communities like Edmonds. The co-living housing concept provides a bedroom and bathroom in a single unit with shared kitchens and common rooms. The concept is required for all cities through HB 1998. Updated code must be adopted before Dec. 31.
The Edmonds Planning Board supported the concept. The ordinance removes the term “Boarding house” from the code and prevents short-term rentals like AirBNB or a hostel. Councilmember Nand the hostel concept is popular with Gen Z that lives with a significant affordability issue.
By a vote of 7-0, the Council approved co-living housing in multi-family density areas with a minimum density of six. That means co-living housing can only be built in areas where six multi-family housing units are allowed and nothing less. Mixed-use areas are also included. Co-living will not include short-term rentals.
Finance update
Mayor Mike Rosen set the stage for the City’s finances going into 2026. “There is a sense of urgency,” Rosen said.
Councilmember Niel Tibbott was more specific. “If no action is taken [on new revenue sources] …. we will have a cash flow problem by March… an ending fund balance of $300,000.”
City monthly expenses are $5 million. Under state law, all revenue discussions have to be settled before the end of the year for the 2026 budget.
“Part of the reason it [City service cuts] hasn’t been so extreme for the community is because there was $6 million borrowed and used in 2025 to support City services,” Councilmember Vivian Olson said. “Next year, we won’t have that $6 million and we are also paying back $3 million.”
Rosen also reported that sales tax revenue, sliding in recent months, has leveled off.
Other items
Councilmembers approved Vivian Liao as their new student council representative for the remainder of the 2025- 2026 school year. Councilmembers praised her for her knowledge of government and her passion and commitment to the City of Edmonds.
“I’m really excited to have a student rep back on the dais again,” Paine said.
Lastly…
Councilmember Jenna Nand shared personal news Tuesday night. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo surgery in January. She said she caught it early thanks to an annual mammogram and reminded residents to stick to the preventive care regimen. Her fellow councilmembers expressed sympathy and concern, saying she is a strong person and they had faith she will get through it.
“As a four-year cancer survivor, I hope my story gives you a little bit of hope,” Eck said.
First – I send my prayers and wish CM Nand strength to get through this health challenge.
Re council business, I am astonished that after citizen after citizen, addressed the mayor and members to not raise taxes at this time, they still voted to raise taxes – because they could. Even CM Dotsch and Chen joined the yes vote – which is a shame, not holding to any principles. The majority of the community had just voted against increased taxes a couple of weeks ago. The vote and voice of the people you represent is completely clear without any ambiguity of what the majority want yet you go and vote for a tax increase. The first action at the so-called day-long finance workshop was council president asking council members “so, what level of levy are you comfortable with?” This was only a few days after the NO vote. How can you repeatedly disregard the people’s voice? Are ANY of you council members truly representing us and our wishes?
Residents gather in empty council chambers to talk to the walls
The Lakota tribes had a phrase which seems appropriate; they said of some people “He has no ears”.
Thank you for your prayers, Jack!
As was correctly stated by at least one council member, a 1% increase in property tax is inadequate. But 2026 is not a typical year because the taxpayers, and not the city, will be directly picking up the expense for fire services. It should also be noted that the city picks up the property taxes for new construction which routinely adds about another 1% each year.
Politics takes a backseat to health. Wishing you the best, Jenna and glad you caught it early. Having lived through breast cancer with my wife, wife’s sister, and my mother, you start to appreciate life through a different lens. Sending positive vibes to you and your family through your treatment journey and just know you are not alone in your fight.
Thank you for your support, Jeremy! I am so sorry to hear that your family has been affected so severely by breast cancer, as well, but I hope that your wife, sister-in-law, and mother were able to recover fully from this terrible disease.
Best wishes to CM Jenna Nand!
Thank you for your kind wishes, Nick!
Reflective listening is a communication technique that involves restating what someone has said to ensure understanding and validate their feelings. Many council members seem to be completely lacking this crucial listening skill almost entirely, which makes public hearings a facade. Maybe council members should think about why they chose to take a council job in the first place?
Property taxes pay for police, bridge maintenance, roads, public parks, public schools and more.
I don’t like the current Washington State regulations on schools and local governments. They are forced to cut their rates or run special elections. Property tax revenues should at least keep up with inflation without paying for additional ballot measures.
Good luck with the surgery, Council Member Nand!
Thank you for your support, Nick!
I would like to point out that the proposed increase to 20% from 10% to the water, sewer, stormwater and solid waste utility tax is an increase of 100%, not 10% to the tax. A 10% increase in the tax would be 1%.
Thanks, Dale. This issue has been raised with the city repeatedly, yet the narrative remains muddled—at best confusing, at worst deliberately misleading.
Take the claim of $5 million in monthly expenditures. That figure may have applied in 2025, but in 2026 the city no longer carries the $1 million per month payment to South County Fire following annexation. Expenses are therefore significantly lower. What’s more, the city continues to hold an ongoing net savings of roughly $6.5 million from annexation—more than enough to offset the $6 million one-time loan referenced by CM Olson.
These budget discussions are riddled with half-truths that obscure the real financial picture.
Neighbors – no new taxes until the city level sets with Jim & the community on these numbers. Also the Mayor & finance director along with CM’s need to sit down with residents to outline our spending priorities.
Many of us are not interested in spending our money fighting the Rimmer lawsuit. Many of us believe we are spending too much on lawyers, consultants & surveys. Reallocate this money to other city needs.
Thanks!
Where is CM Neill Tibbot getting the ~30% inflation over last 4 year stats? CPI-U (the more aggressive stat; for Seattle) – 2021 – 2024 = ~23%.
19.7 = USA Average.
Current CPI for 2025 ~2.8%
https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/consumerpriceindex_seattle.htm
Do some research, although not definitive. It’s believed ~42% of inflation in last 5 years is the result of government spending. Inflation spiked over this time period, imagine related to COVID spending.
Sorry to hear about CM Nand’s upcoming fight with breast cancer. Wishing her the very best and lots of positive thoughts for a successful outcome – with minimal pain and life disruption. Re CM Eck’s claim that “everybody is listening” is astounding. She believes that following the rules for posting public meetings and providing documents equates to listening and transparency. How absurd. Council lives in a fantasy world thinking they follow good governance principles (fiscal discipline, transparency, performance metrics/results, common sense, and putting the taxpayer first). Not! They blame all the City’s budget woes on the 1% State property tax annual limit – but they fail to point out that the City’s revenues have historically increased well above the inflation rate, and that since 2022 staff wages/benefits have increased close to 40%, and police spending increased 61%. Those numbers are in the 2026 budget – and should be cut. They refuse to answer over 50 taxpayer questions re the 2026 budget. They refuse to do proper due diligence on Jim Ogonowski’s alternative 2026 budget that requires no utility tax increase nor tax levy lift. They refuse to find a way to lower Edmonds’ police costs by 40% to match the Shoreline and Esperance per resident cost of police service. CM Eck calls that ‘listening?’ Join 152 taxpayers who signed this good governance Petition: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/enough-utility-tax-increase-is-last-straw
Thank you for your kind words, Bill!
The City Council has already been presented with an alternative budget—one that does not rely on squeezing an additional $4 million out of residents through higher utility taxes. Instead, it calls on the Council to take a responsible step: transfer the millions currently sitting idle in the Internal Service Fund accounts into the General Fund, where it could immediately begin replenishing reserves and meeting policy requirements.
And yet, the only response we’ve heard is that such a move would be “too big a hassle” and “too disruptive to the system”—the system, in this case, being nothing more than accounting. The implication is clear: it’s easier for the City to raise taxes on its citizens than to make a legislative decision to move money that already exists within its own coffers.
This isn’t about scarcity – we have the money. What we lack is the political will to use it wisely.
Thank you, everyone, I really appreciate your encouragement and support. I’m sorry it took so long to get back to you. I am just over overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love and support from everyone!