City hosts first of three town halls on Edmonds levy lid lift proposal

The City of Edmonds conducted its first town hall meeting to discuss a proposed $14. 5 million levy lid lift that will appear on the November ballot, drawing about 40 residents. Mayor Rosen opened the meeting by inviting questions and highlighting the need for informed voting. He specified that the session was focused on the levy and not the existing budget, which he will address in a subsequent presentation. City Council President Tibbott provided insights into how Edmonds finances its government, noting that property tax, sales tax, and utility fees are the primary revenue sources.

He explained that state law limits property tax increases to 1% annually, necessitating voter approval for additional funding. The proposed levy aims to address funding gaps in critical services like police and parks. If voters approve the measure, it will yield an initial revenue increase in 2026, followed by inflation-linked adjustments for the next five years. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for residents to influence city funding priorities.