What is Prop. 1?
Prop 1. is a permanent tax increase. If passed, Edmonds will become one of the highest property tax jurisdictions in Snohomish County. These increases affect homeowners AND renters- when property taxes go up, so do rents. Gas has gone up, food has gone up, new tariffs are boosting prices and we're getting squeezed. This tax measure will worsen the housing affordability problem in our town.
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The Administration claims that police, parks, and roads depend on this levy to deliver the basic level of service — a dramatic statement unsupported by facts. The City Council sets the budget, and a majority of council members have stated their support to maintain basic services - no more layoffs. Some general fund expenditures or capital projects are framed as urgent shortfalls (such as the Frances Anderson Center downtown) which is upsetting to hear. The City actually has a favorable budget variance so far this year in the general fund. They are not spending the full budget amount that the council approved. (See the most recent financial report here: https://www.edmondswa.gov/government/departments/finance/financial_reports
The updated capital facilities plan will take care of our beloved Rec Center - The Frances Anderson Center (project PWF-05)
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How did we get here?
In 2022, the Edmonds City Council started deficit spending in the hope that revenue increases would soon follow. They continue that deficit spending today, but the revenue increases never happened. That's why they want to play catch-up and are asking the voters for a HUGE tax increase now. The administration has a plan to grow the size of government 40% in 2026 - that’s not acceptable. The city government in Edmonds does not need that much money. Government taxes will add to the financial stress the seniors on fixed incomes feel. The rent increases are inevitable as landlords pass their higher taxes on to their renters.
In 2024, the mayor appointed an independent group of finance professionals to a Blue Ribbon Panel to explain how we got here and to recommend the path to achieving fiscal resiliency for the City. A key part of their advice was to establish a citizen-based finance committee to advise the City Council. That never happened, and other advice of the Blue Ribbon Panel was not followed.
In 2025, basic services were cut, like lawn mowing and restroom maintenance. The City had to lay off some personnel in 2025, and mandate a few unpaid furlough days to un-bargained for employees to balance the budget in 2025. They also borrowed $6M from themselves - the general fund borrowed money from the utility funds. Essential seasonal jobs for lawn mowing go unfilled. The lowest paid City workers were the ones laid off, and the Mayor promoted a Director to the newly created City administrator position and gave them a raise. Why is management getting paid more while the parking enforcement officer gets laid off?
What can you do?
Vote NO on the levy : Ask for innovative economic development that increases city revenues, management by metrics, and sustainable revenue streams. We'll get through this tough stretch together, and keep Edmonds everyone's home town.