SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Hundreds gathered in the Jackson Board Room of the Snohomish County Campus’ Robert Drewel Building Tuesday morning, November 13, to speak out against a proposed general property tax levy increase of 8% drafted in County Executive Dave Somers’ proposed $3.07 billion biennial budget.
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.
Weeks before the public hearing County Council Vice President Nate Nehring proposed a budget amendment to the property tax increase while proposing to make 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.”
Councilmember Nehring’s amendment removed budget increases over the previously budgeted levels and discretionary spending not connected to essential county government functions.
During the general election on November 5 Snohomish County residents resoundingly voted down a county-wide 0.2% sales tax increase to pay for public safety – by almost 14 points. Council Vice President Nehring said Tuesday it would be unfair for council to discuss raising property taxes just weeks after the public, who values public safety, clearly showcased that they are simply overburdened financially and now is not the time to ask them to pay more. He continued that placing the property tax increase on a ballot for voters to decide could be an option to explore.
Councilman Strom Peterson noted he speculates taxpayers may be frustrated with “regressive taxes” seeing as they supported three, out of four, ballot measures on November 5 which could be considered tax measures, including capital gains. He suggested the council look at progressive revenue streams to meet the needs of the county while stating that asking taxpayers to pay a modest $10 a year is reasonable and helps pay for important county investments such as staffing a Victim’s Advocate for those who have been victims of a crime.
Council President Jared Mead agreed with Vice President Nehring stating that a 8% increase in property tax is “unreasonable and irresponsible,” especially before looking at the budget to see where cuts can be made before asking the taxpayers to pay more. However, he added, that raising taxes 0% while in a deficit would also be “unreasonable and irresponsible.”
Councilwoman Meghan Dunn said the property tax increase is critical to follow through with promises the county has already made, as far as staff wages and services go, noting that the majority of the county’s budget cycles back to the public.
However, Council President Mead rejected Dunn’s narrative agreeing with her that the county’s bank capacity is in the red and tough decisions will need to be made in four to five years from now. He continued to say the county’s proposed property tax increase alone will not solve the issue and there needs to be conservative cuts, legislative backing, and an economic stabilization – all out of the county’s control. Therefore, according to Mead, the decision to raise taxes for the public would simply delay the inevitable. He proposed an amendment to the ordinance, No 24-075, to reduce bank capacity usage as a solution.
Tuesday’s public comment section spanned roughly two-and-a-half hours featuring members of the public all voicing their existing financial tribulations caused by inflation and already unmanageable cost of living expenses.
Resident Susan Tinker shared that she was “shocked” to learn that the county was considering raising property taxes when most people can’t afford to put food on their table due to grocery prices, and Washington State having one of the highest gas taxes in the country.
While it’s true Washington ranks within the top five states for gas price taxes at a rate of about 49.4 cents per gallon, according to Tax Federation, it’s still overshadowed with states such as California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Washington also ranks among the five highest in the country for local and state taxes with Snohomish County, specifically, having the highest sales tax in the state.
“We have some of the highest taxes in the nation and you come to us for more? For our homes?!” Maribelle Williams, a Marysville resident asked the council emotionally. “You’re turning the American Dream into the American nightmare.”
Dave Stuart, local business owner, seconded everything the crowd expressed adding that the tax increase is “not good timing that affects the working-class people as well as the retired people.”
“You’re taxing people out of their homes,” said Stuart.
These concerns were echoed by several others who claimed they are looking to move to Idaho or other states to escape the unaffordable cost of living and homeownership in Western Washington, some who have called Snohomish County home for 50 years or more.
Julie Johnson, Edmonds resident, urged council to trim the budget instead of asking taxpayers to pay more property taxes stating, “I am confident that the county can find ways of cutting costs while still being efficient.”
“Homeownership is expensive hence the need to be respectful and mindful of our taxpayer dollars,” continued Johnson. “Only raise taxes when proven absolutely necessary.”
Joseph Walkman from Lynnwood noted that the consumer price index has surged 45% in the last decade “eroding the purchasing power of every hard-working family.”
“This isn’t just numbers on a chart,” Walkman continued. “It’s parents struggling to put meals on their family’s table, seniors on a fixed income forced to choose between medication and utilities, and young people losing hope of owning a home here because the median income is not keeping up with the cost-of-living index.”
Tim Eyman, anti-tax activist and businessman, reminded council that voters overwhelmingly voted on an initiative that would not allow council to approve more than a 1% increase in taxes without voter approval but there has not been any discussion of asking voters on a proposed 8% increase.
Eyman brought attention to the hundreds of citizens who showed up on a Tuesday morning to voice their opposition to the 8% increase and asked the council to consider how many would turnout on the weekend, or outside of the average work hours.
Some residents living on a fixed income, such as combat veterans, disabled people, and seniors, came forward to voice that their property taxes have already been raised about 33% since moving in, and with raising costs in other fields the 8% increase will force them to have to sell their houses and move elsewhere more affordable.
Others reminded the council that this country was founded against “taxation without representation.”
The decision to vote on the ordinance was continued until the council’s meeting on November 23.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
22 Responses
Shouldn’t the increase in population in Lynnwood give more money to the city for taxes? I mean look at all the apartments they’ve put up, 8% on home owners would devastate my mom whose lived there for over 30 years. There’s no respect for regular middle class and below people if this is their solution.
More people paying taxes also means more expenses for the county. Tax revenues, like incomes, haven’t kept up with higher costs, so to provide the same level of service, more will be needed.
An increase in property taxes can be challenging for those with limited income. On the other hand, that means they likely own or have significant equity in a home. Your mother may have lived in a home for 30 years, and when she bought it it was $200k and now it’s $1.4m. If a – what, $50 to $100 a month expense would be devastating, maybe it’s time to look at relocating to somewhere less expensive. Being house rich and cash poor is not a fun experience.
I don’t say this to be disrespectful, but to show why this outcome wouldn’t really bother politicians. If the home sells, there is an excise fee, and then it will sell to someone who has the funds/income to pay a mortgage and the property taxes. From the fiscal side, having an owner who is earning more is going to do more for the economy than the person on a fixed income who has been there 30 years.
And there’s nothing inherently wrong with relocating or downsizing like this. Even though getting into a new place isn’t a fun process, the quality of life can be so much better in low cost areas.
You are completely out of touch. If they want more revenue, apply an increased sales tax. Not to property taxes which does not account for all the hundreds of thousands of people renting and thus not paying property taxes.
Property taxes are applied to apartment building owners who then pass them on to renters. Everyone has a higher cost of housing. Is this helping “affordable housing”?
You’re insane. Many people who are renting are getting crazy high rent increases to pay for those property taxes in the first place!! It all rolls downhill. And now the average young person can’t even afford to buy a house. It’s a sad thing that I’m in nursing school, and when I get a job in the field in this area, as a single mother of 3 I’ll still be at poverty level. Something is seriously wrong in this area with housing costs. It’s just absolutely ridiculous.
I completely understand what you’re saying, but it’s not just that cost its also everything else we are having to pay more money for now with inflation and the excessive gas prices. Is it really our only option when the county needs more money to out tax people from their homes? We have a housing crisis for a reason and it’s not like I even live in that great an area either so when will the line be drawn? When only the super rich can afford to live in their houses while the poor are told “aw you can’t afford a little tax increase, time for you to move”?
I’m not a politician or know too much about government, but I do know that something isn’t right here or at least there must be a better way of handling it while also showing the people of lynnwood they hear our struggles and are willing to help, not just kick people out of their homes.
Your attitude really makes me angry. People who have worked all their lives to have a home should now give it up and downsize because it’s more convenient for the government? They should be the ones to have to burden the cost of running everything? How about the government trying to balance their budgets? How about reducing inflation? They mandated all the new expansion of residential population. They should have had a plan for the added expense for the infrastructure. You say they should sell to people who can afford it. Have you looked at the housing market? The only people affording it are corporations. They are buying up properties and making them rentals. Have you heard that it’s there plan to make sure no one owns their home. This isn’t a conspiracy. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen. People deserve to live in a home they have lived in and worked for. Taxing people 8% without any approval is not right
50-100. Math is really hard for you I guess. Better rework the numbers
Instead of raising property taxes they should be putting bitcoin on their balance sheet and fund their expenses from the gains.
Cut spending no more property taxes can not afford existing property taxes
Maybe it’s time to look into relocating to a lower cost of living area, if you can’t afford the property taxes. There’s nothing wrong with that.
You must be right. I mean, many in Washington think this area is just for the rich. While we’re at it let’s kick out all the single parents, immigrants, low income, disabled, and restricted income folks while we’re at it! -satire-
The only thing keeping me in this State is that I have property on both sides of the State and my family is buried here. In my opinion the taxes are out of control in Washington State. We make good wages here but it is NOT keeping up with the cost of living here. It is truly sad that the voters voted to keep those taxes in place on the recent initiative votes. Washington seems to want to follow California’s failing example. California is going bankrupt because of their taxes on Business and citizens and their decision to force electric vehicles on the trucking industry and their businesses and citizens.
It sounds like the issue is more that your wages aren’t keeping up with the general costs of living here. Property taxes would be only a small part of that total cost. And yes, things are getting more expensive, but that is also true for the county. If the costs of labor and goods are increasing, it’s reasonable that the county will need more funds to provide the same level of service. If we don’t want to pay more, what specifically should be cut?
The pork or fluff in the budget should be cut, that’s what. I don’t get extras, and the county shouldn’t until we’re not in the red. Things can be tabled or paused until we’re in a better place to afford them, even if it means we have to wait for gratification.
Your viewpoint is one or the other without looking at the budget line by line to figure out needs versus wants, what is truly 100% necessary versus what is not.
A sense of understanding and perspective taking if you were in some people’s shoes that may be displaced with their loyalty and funding for so many years is worth noting as things can become uncomfortable for anyone at any time, no one is exempt, so it is important to think about what if it were you experiencing what some are.
I assure you there is plenty of fluff to be cut if we look hard enough. Maybe we have to stretch tech a bit and use systems longer and not replace as frequently. Maybe we don’t have as much print materials going out or beautification, but instead keep focused on sanitation in lieu of beautification. Maybe we don’t decorate and spend for the holidays as it costs for a few years until we are in the black and can afford the extras.
Really? To ask what can be cut? It’s pretty easy if we’re given all the details transparently.
There are funds available, use them and quit taxing the middle class. Thousands have moved to Snohomish county the past ten years, it’s thereby collecting millions more in taxes. School districts are hurting and with increased property and gas tax don’t ever expect another levy to pass. And if this passes we certainly need to look at who we voted in to do this to residents.
Based on this article, the 8% increase is being sought because in prior years, the 1% increase wasn’t enacted. It sounds like the county was fiscally responsible and didn’t increase the rates in past years. It’s great that it was lower for those years, but now that the money is needed, people feel more sticker shock.
Would there be as many complaints if every year they went up 1%? Probably not. But people would have been paying higher rates all along.
As much as an 8% increase over the next 2 years hurts, if there is too much push back it will ensure that the county raises the 1% every year, whether it’s needed or not, because they don’t want the blowback from trying to raise them more when needed. Don’t punish them now for raising money to deal with the fiscal challenges, because it will incentivize them to raise the rate every year, costing more overall.
Awful idea, Sounds like we need our own Department of Government spending.
We are well beyond the threshold that taxpayers are willing to withstand. Here’s why (I am not alone):
While driving, I navigate potholes (2 tires broke from these already – one on I5 and one on I405 but no compensation from the city or state after spending hours calling countless local and state departments, giving me the run-around ). I have literally watched other drivers drive over them and blow out their tires as well.
While I sit in traffic, which is worse than ever, I get pissed off almost every day thinking the new light rail and goodtogo lanes that I cannot even use, yet was forced to dump $7000 in RTA taxes in for my wife and son, on my vehicle, the $7700 a year in property taxes for a poorly built house on a lot so small I can almost reach out and touch my neighbors house, getting scammed on OfferUp (buying used to avoid paying our brutal 10.3% local sales tax) report it to the police and give the officer everything he needs to make an arrest yet he does nothing.
Someone steals from my car, I call the police, and the cop reluctantly takes the report and does nothing.
Meanwhile, my nerves at shot, worrying that some damn camera will catch me turning on a red light because I will forget to a complete stop.
So, why should I give any more money out? Clearly a huge amount just goes to waste.
We allowed people to take over an entire block in Seattle, thieves constantly steal from everyone all over the place in broad daylight, without repercussions, stores are shutting down… I could go on and on.
You said it best! My park truck was involved in a hit and run. I talked to everyone in the area nobody saw anything it was on super bowl Sunday however a napkin anonymously showed up on my doorstep with a license plate and said we witnessed it but we don’t want to be involved I gave this to the police and still nothing I actually even found the vehicle that hit my truck because it was red and I held up a piece of their car right next to the damage on their car and the police still did nothing. I’ve lived in Snohomish county for over 40 years but I will not shop or visit any businesses in Lynnwood because of those cameras it’s insane if you want to buy somebody for not making a full stop on a red light then get in your damn police car and catch ’em I’ve sat on many boards federal and state and there is so much waste with salaries for the higher-ups I used to be one of them and it’s ridiculous trim the fat as they say s*it runs downhill
I agree property taxes should not be increased but I don’t understand why the 4 initiatives were not voted yes to stop state wide taxes we are burdened with. The voters don’t seem to connect who this state elects to our higher taxes.
There is a rapid and continuous growth in the housing industry, both houses and lage apartment complexes in Snohomish County. Several Comercial properties are being developed or restructured for new businesses. This growth will directly increase property tax collected and bring an increase in sales by new occupants in Snohomish County. Before considering an increase in our local property and sales tax, Snohomish County administration must publish and present to taxpayers the amount of additional tax windfall revenues they will be collecting in the 2 and 5 years, before asking for an increase.