July 27, 2025 12:42 am

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Lynnwood establishes boundary area for Tax Increment Finance Program

LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council unanimously approved the boundary area for its Tax Increment Finance Program – a bold economic development program that hopes to fund three major capital projects generating at least $103 million in additional tax revenues, according to the City.

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Tax Increment Area boundary covers approximately 67.9 total acres and 53.8 parcel acres in City Center. Source: City of Lynnwood

The Tax Increment Fund will operate within a designated Tax Increment Area (TIA) in accordance with RCW 39.114 to fund public improvements to support growth and development.

The program will contribute to the funding of three major capital projects: the 1.6-acre Town Square Park, the 42nd Street Phase I Plan, and the 194th Street and 38th Avenue Ring Road improvements.

The Tax Increment Fund system has been used in other regions of Washington state.

“I know the word tax can be scary for some people, but this is something I have been seeking since joining council – a way to fund capital projects without actually costing the people of Lynnwood a lot of money and new taxes,” said Councilman David Parshall. “This is an investment. We are making an investment in our infrastructure so that we can bring future tax revenue and increase tax revenue to the City of Lynnwood.”

The city’s Finance Department estimates it will increase tax revenue by $4 million, which will be $4 million less that taxpayers will have to pay, added Parshall.

With the Lynnwood Link Light Rail Extension that opened in 2024, the City of Lynnwood expects to see transit-oriented development through the building of a new downtown neighborhood in Lynnwood’s City Center. The City Center infrastructure is being upgraded with utility and street improvements to enable new urban growth.

The TIA covers approximately 67.9 total acres and 53.8 parcel acres in Lynnwood City Center. The TIA includes both The Lynnwood Events Center District and Northline Village developments plus other potential development parcels along 198th St SW between 44th Ave W and 40th Ave. W. and 196th St SW and Alderwood Mall Blvd.

The proposed Tax Increment Fund program is projected to contribute approximately $24 million in bond capacity (or an estimated $37.2 million total debt service) toward the total cost of $66 million towards the three major capital projects.

The moderate scenario economic impact of the TIA over its 25-year development is estimated to be 7,900 construction jobs, approximately 1,200 retail sustaining jobs, between 1,775 to 3,200 new residential units, and at least $103 million in additional tax revenues.

Continuing the WAORCA Diversion program

The council then discussed continuing its WAORCA Diversion program using Opioid Settlement Dollars.

The WAORCA was to be funded for 2025 by State Department of Commerce grants, but those funds are set to end on June 15. The City of Lynnwood currently has $1,149,940 in unused opioid settlement funds (the result of a State Attorney General-backed lawsuit against big pharmaceutical companies).

The WAORCA Diversion program is intended to crack down on retail theft by offering a diversion to people who commit crimes of retail theft. In short, qualified individuals found guilty of crimes associated with retail theft, in Lynnwood Municipal Court, will be offered the opportunity to enter the diversion program to reduce recidivism. The program will focus on seeking treatment for substance abuse disorders

Council made no action on this decision Tuesday.

Martin Munyoko appointed to Human Services Commission

The City Council also agreed to appoint Martin Munyoko to serve on the Human Services Commission Board.

Munyoko submitted his application on April 2, 2025 and was interviewed by Human Services Coordinator Kyle Ward on April 4, 2025. He was then interviewed by Mayor Frizzell on April 18, 2025.

“I believe his experience is amazing and his passion for his work and his city is wonderful,” said Mayor Frizzell based on that interview.

Though Munyoko currently lives in unincorporated Lynnwood, the Commission allows for two non-resident seats (as stated in the Lynnwood Municipal Code 2.47.040). Munyoko is also ineligible to be a registered voter but the LMC further allows for one non-voting member, with Mayor approval (LMC 2.24.030).

For years Munyoko has been imbedded in his community through his volunteerism, as a Washington resident of 10-years, and a Lynnwood resident for four. He told council that he is getting to the age where he wants to begin giving back to his community.

Councilwoman Derica Escamilla moved to appoint Munyoko to the Commission which was seconded by Councilman Joshua Binda. The motion was unanimously approved.

Rebecca Thornton appointed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission

The council then appointed Rebecca Thornton to fill a vacancy on the city’s DEI commission.

Rebeca “Becky” Thornton submitted her application on April 28, 2025 and was interviewed by Equity and Social Justice Advisor Doug Raiford on April 29, 2025. She was interviewed by Mayor Frizzell on April 30, 2025. Rebecca lives within city limits and is a registered voter.

Thornton said Tuesday that she was attracted to the position because “Lynnwood has a growth mindset.”

Councilman Roberty Leutwyler moved to approve Thornton for the position, which was seconded by Councilman Binda. The motion was unanimously approved.

Proclamation recognizing Pride month

Prior to the agenda items discussed above, the Lynnwood City Council signed a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month 2025. The month of June was first recognized as Pride Month in 1969 when on June 28 the Stonewall riots in New York City sparked the civil rights movement for the LGBTQ+ community.

Since then, Pride celebrations, honoring the fight for equality and celebrating the distances come, have been observed in cities all over the country.

Pride didn’t start with the Stonewall Rebellion, below were other monumental events that contributed to gay liberation over the decades:

  • The founding of the Society for Human Rights by Henry Gerber in Chicago in the 1920s.
  • In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association no longer classifying homosexuality as a mental illness.
  • In 2001, Washington state began providing benefits to same-sex partners of state employees.
  • In 2007, Washington state recognized state-registered domestic partnerships.
  • Signed into law by President Barack Obama on October 28, 2009, the Mathew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act  classified intentional targeting of gay and marginalized peoples for crime as a hate crime.
  • In July of 2011, President Barack Obama’s repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy” allowing gays to serve in the military went into effect.
  • February 13, 2012, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire signing into law full marriage rights for gays and lesbians. In November 2012, Washington voters approved the law in Referendum 74, by a vote of 54% to 46%, after it was contested. Same-sex marriages have been recognized in Washington state since that law took effect on December 6, 2012.
  • Between 2013 and 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, stating that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry.
  • On August 1, 2016, Seattle voted to ban conversion therapy on minors.
  • On June 7, 2018, Governor Jay Inslee signed SB-5722, banning the practice of conversion therapy in Washington state. The bill was sponsored by Senator Marko Liias (D-Edmonds).
  • In April 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill establishing the Washington state LGBTQ commission.
  • In March 2024, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed SB-5462 into law “mandating gay history and other similar related content curriculums” to be taught by teachers within all state-based schools, colleges and classrooms.

Recognizing June as Pride Month 2025 is consistent with the city’s commitment to being a safe, welcoming, and equitable place for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, country of origin, or any other identity, the proclamation reads. 

Consent agenda

During council’s consent agenda it obtained temporary rights from TW Alderwood, LLC for approximately 19,700 square feet of land to allow the city to construct walls and roadway/driveway reprofiling related to the Poplar Way Bridge project construction.

Council also authorized the Mayor to sign a contract amendment with Feldman & Lee, P.S. for Indigent Defense Services, which will expire on December 31, 2025.

Separate to the consent agenda, and not included in the aforementioned business items, is a presentation council received on its current housing climate – presented by Chris Collier with Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO). To read that presentation in its entirety click here.

Kienan Briscoe
Author: Kienan Briscoe

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