EVERETT—Snohomish County Council Vice President Nate Nehring will be proposing a budget amendment to eliminate the 8% general property tax levy increase proposed in County Executive Dave Somers $3.07 billion 2025-26 biennial budget. The amendment eliminates the increase to the general property tax levy and makes corresponding cuts to expenditures in the budget.
“Taxpayers in Snohomish County have been burdened by ever increasing taxes in recent years,” said Council Vice President Nehring. “We can balance our County budget without tax increases while continuing to provide essential services our constituents expect. My amendment does just that by identifying cuts in unnecessary county spending to eliminate the need for a tax increase. Taxpayers have had to tighten the belt with regard to their own personal budgets and government ought to do the same.”
The Executive’s proposed 2025/2026 budget increases the County’s general property tax levy by the state-allowed 1% each year as well as taking banked capacity from previously deferred tax increases for a total increase of 8% over the biennium. Councilmember Nehring’s amendment removed budget increases over the previously budgeted levels and discretionary spending not connected to essential county government functions.
Councilmember Nehring’s amendment will be considered during the Council’s budget deliberations currently scheduled for Wednesday, November 13th at 10:30 AM. For more details about the Council’s meetings, visit the Council’s Meetings & Webcasts page.
For more information or questions, please contact Russell Wiita in Councilmember Nehring’s Office at russell.wiita@snoco.org.
SOURCE: Office of Snohomish County Councilman Nate Nehring
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
7 Responses
Our thanks to Snohomish County Council Vice President Nate Nehring for proposing the elimination of an 8% property tax increase — and for making sure the elimination doesn’t interfere with existing essential services.
These thoughts and ideas Nehringis proposing should be a normal thoughts everyone is thinking about. The burden of taxes on the homeowners of this state has been overwhelming to say the least. Think of ways to save.
Snohomish County has the highest retail tax in the state, and the second highest property tax in the state. King is #1 on that, we aren’t far behind. Does Dave Somers want to be 1st on the highest property taxes? What is the business reason for the 8% increase? One of two things; the county budget is severely mismanaged or Somers is just plain greedy.
Hats off to County Council VP Nate Nehring for proposing a halt to the 8% raise in property taxes. Leaders need to live with the tax revenue already provided. While we are all living with the rapid inflation from the last few years, the county population growth brings in additional taxs.
I am a concerned citizen living in Snohomish County with any increase of property taxes. I am in agreement with Council Vice President Nehring that the proposed increase needs to be repealed. Citizens of Snohomish County do not have additional funds to pay for an increase in property taxes.
I know the county has raised the pay of its employees to keep up with inflation. However, perhaps the county should stop offering huge sums of money to pilfer officers from other jurisdictions. And maybe, just maybe the top executives could get paid a bit less? The county is raking in goodness knows how much from the sale of pot. Then there are the homes that are going up everywhere. We all see it, so we know you are getting more revenue from the homeowners for real estate tax. And it’s not going to stop. The population in this county is continuing to grow. So, where is all the tax money going?
I want to see the breakdown in each category IN DETAIL. The income the county is generating off the backs of homeowners is 100% insane. Unfortunately, the school levy that was voted in for 2023, contained some very confusing language for some (oh the irony) and as such 60% of our taxes go to schools while money was allocated away from EMS/police. Not sure about you, but I am sick of funding schools and paying for renters with kids who do not contribute AT ALL to taxes. I am also incensed that the school budgets contain plenty of frivolous spending. Kids can learn in portables, there is NO NEED for all the remodeling. I also feel that district administrators are overpaid (not teachers). If the classrooms aren’t “satisfactory” for your children, put them in private schools. I read something as well about rehab facilities (hotels being turned into living space) on our tax dollars. If you cannot even police, who is going to ensure that these places don’t turn into drug pits? NOBODY. We will all be paying to house addicts who will simply just go through the motions to avoid more jail time and get out of the court-ordered program to re-offend. Wash/rinse/repeat. Sick of watching this waste.