LYNNWOOD—At its final 2025 meeting for the year on December 8, attended by over 120 people, Lynnwood City Council swore in Mayor-elect George Hurst and new councilmembers, honored outgoing leaders, then approved (4-3) a 14.7% permit/fee hike and 33% business license increase; unanimously passed 2.7% COLA for city employees; authorized drafting a voter-free 0.1% public safety sales tax; and enacted “Brandy’s Law” tightening dangerous animal control codes.
At its previous Business Meeting on Monday, November 24th, the council approved millions of dollars in new taxes in fees to help close the City’s $10.7 million budget deficit.
To view the entire agenda, click here.
Permit & Fee Increases
The Council approved with a vote of 4-3, a 14.7% across-the-board increase for all permits and fees administered by Business Development Services (DBS). The proposal is projected to generate up to $2 million in new revenue. DBS estimates Lynnwood’s 2026 major project pipeline at $188–$307 million in permit valuation.
All Fees and Charges impacted: Unified Development Code; Fire Permits, Inspections, and Service Fees; Streets and Sidewalks; Water; Sewer; One- and Two-Family Dwelling Plumbing and Mechanical Fees; Building, Single-Family, Electrical and Grading Fees; Commercial and Multifamily Plumbing and Mechanical Fee; and Environmental Fees.
Councilmembers Joshua Binda, Robert Leutwyler, Nick Coelho, and David Parshall voted to approve the measure; Councilmembers George Hurst, Derica Escamilla, and Patrick Decker dissented.
Business License Fees
The Council approved a 33% increase across all business license fees, that is expected to bring in $556,850 in 2026 revenue.
Councilmembers Joshua Binda, Robert Leutwyler, Nick Coelho, and David Parshall voted to approve the measure; Councilmembers George Hurst, Derica Escamilla, and Patrick Decker dissented.
2026 Salary Schedule Ordinance
The Council unanimously approved the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ (AFSCME) agreement and GSO salary schedules, which include a cost-of-living adjustment increase of 2.7%.
Human Resources Director Annie Vandenkooy urged the City Council on Monday, December 1, to approve a 2.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the city’s 99 GSO employees in 2026, that was also budgeted in the adopted 2025-26 biennial budget. The 2.7% figure matches the 2026 COLA in the tentative AFSCME agreement, while police guilds are scheduled for a 4% increase and Teamsters 2.34%.
Historical data obtained by the Lynnwood Times over the past four years—2022 through 2025—show City of Lynnwood’s GSO employees have received a total COLA increase of 21.04%, or an average annual increase of 5.26%, which is in line with the CPI-W over the last four years. The CPI-W for years 2022 through 2025 equated to 20.3%, or an average annual increase of 5.075%.
However, the average annual increase of 5.26% for City of Lynnwood’s GSO employees over the last four years excludes Salary Grades 626 and 627—Director Level Positions who are the highest paid GSO employees with starting salaries between $75.50 and $83.80 per hour in 2025.
At its December 12, 2022, meeting, the City Council approved the 2023 Salary Schedule to include an 8% increase for GSO employees with an amendment limiting 626 and 627 Salary Grades to 4%.
The 626 and 627 Salary Grades over the last four years have received a total COLA increase of 17.04%, or an average annual increase of 4.26%, which is 85% of CPI-W (approximately 16% annually below CPI-W).
Director Vandenkooy shared with councilmembers that the voluntary turnover/attrition rates for the City over the last 5 years is 12.5% and 80 employees are on active remote/hybrid work agreements.
Wages and benefits currently consume approximately 70% of General Fund expenditures with GSO and AFSCME employees together representing two-thirds of payroll obligations.
Public Safety Sales Tax Measure
The Council approved with a vote of 5-2, a resolution to authorize Mayor Christine Frizzell to prepare an ordinance for consideration of a proposed 0.1% Public Safety Sales Tax. Councilmembers Patrick Decker, Robert Leutwyler, Nick Coelho, George Hurst, and David Parshall voted to approve the measure; dissenting were Derica Escamilla and Josh Binda.
Introduced by Council President Nick Coelho and supported by Councilman Robert Luetwyler, the ordinance would impose a councilmanic—no voter approval required—0.1% sales and use tax dedicated to public safety and criminal justice purposes. If enacted by the council and pre-conditions approved by the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC), the tax would raise Lynnwood’s sales tax rate from 10.6% to 10.7%—the highest in Washington state.
The authority stems from House Bill 2015 (RCW 82.14.345), that took effective July 27, 2025, allowing cities to impose a 0.1% public safety sales tax without a public vote only if the municipality meet the same stringent eligibility requirements required for a separate $100 million state grant program administered by CJTC. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to collect the sales tax, even if the city never applies for the grant funds.
Key eligibility requirements for both the public safety sales tax and grant include:
- Adoption of policies aligned with Attorney General guidance on citizenship status, duty to intervene, de-escalation, use of force, and police dogs
- Full participation in specified CJTC trainings (behavioral health, first aid, crisis intervention—at least 25% of officers—and gender-based violence—100% completion by required officers)
- Policies for court-ordered firearm relinquishment and volunteer supervision restrictions
- A CJTC-certified police chief with no disqualifying convictions
- Future compliance with statewide use-of-force data reporting
The $100 million grant program which expires June 30, 2028, is restricted to:
- Hiring and retaining new (non-lateral) officers and co-responders
- Training and certain broader public safety initiatives
- Maximum state contribution of 75% of salary + benefits, capped at $125,000 per position over three years (not annually).
The Department of Revenue (DOR) has a 75-day notification lead time to implement a new sales tax. CJTC has 45 days to review the documents and notify a city of any outstanding deficiencies. The city will then have 180 days to respond and correct any deficiencies.
Taking these timeframes into account, the earliest a sales tax would take effect in Lynnwood would by July 1, 2026, assuming it is approved by the council and sales tax conditions are confirmed by the CJTC no later than April 1, 2026. The January 1, 2026, tax update was due by October 17, 2025, and the deadline for the April 1, 2026, tax update is January 16, 2026.
If Lynnwood enacts a councilmanic 0.1% sales tax but fails to meet the qualifications by CJTC and still collects the tax revenues, the Washington state treasurer is required by law to withhold $100,000 of revenue collections each month until Lynnwood comes into compliance, as verified by CJTC.
Brandy’s Law: Overhaul of Lynnwood’s Animal Control Code
Championed by Lynnwood City Council President Nick Coelho and councilman Patrick Decker, the Lynnwood Police Department and City Council clarified “dangerous animal” definitions, expanding to include attacks on domestic animals, requiring vet documentation for euthanasia, mandating secure fencing/restraint for potentially dangerous dogs (misdemeanor violation), redefining severe injury, and clarifying cats are exempt from at-large prohibitions.
A “Dangerous animal” according to the revised Lynnwood Municipal Code is now defined as an animal that according to the records of the appropriate authority has (bold italicize text represents addition to existing law):
- Inflicted severe injury on a human being without provocation on public or private property; or
- Killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner’s property; or inflicts injuries requiring euthanasia of a domestic animal while off the owner’s property. If the animal is euthanized, documentation must be provided that confirms this decision was supported by a licensed, practicing veterinarian.
- Been previously found to be potentially dangerous because of injury inflicted on a human or domestic animal, the owner having received notice of such, and the animal again aggressively bites, attacks or endangers the safety of humans or domestic animals after such notice has been provided under this section.
A “Severe injury” now means any physical injury that results in broken bones or lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery.
A new restriction placed against an animal deemed a “Potentially Dangerous Animal” now states: “it is unlawful for an owner of a potentially dangerous dog to permit the dog to be allowed or permitted to run free and physically unrestrained or off leash or not otherwise under physical restraint, unless within a fenced yard or similar restraint reasonably designed to prevent the dog from running free and physically unrestrained. The top of such fence shall be at least six feet in height as measured from the ground level, unless there is a secured top – full enclosure – to the fenced-in area, and that such fence or enclosure area shall comply with all applicable city codes. For purposes of this section, a dog solely under voice and/or signal control shall be considered to be “physically unrestrained.” Violation of this subsection shall constitute a misdemeanor, and may be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment in jail not to exceed 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment.”
The City of Bothell’s municipal code served as benchmark legislation used to revise Lynnwood’s Animal Control Code.
Swearing-in Ceremonies
Mayor-elect George Hurst and Councilmembers Derica Escamilla, Robert Leutwyler, Isabel Mata, and Bryce Owings took the Oath of Office to commence elected office on January 1, 2026.
George Hurst, is Lynnwood’s new Mayor-elect. He has served as Lynnwood City Council since his election in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019 and 2023. A 32-year Lynnwood resident, he and his wife Pam raised four children who graduated from Lynnwood High School.
Hurst holds a BA in History/Political Science from the University of Washington and an MA in American History from UNC-Chapel Hill.
After 30+ years owning an electrical and commercial lighting business, he earned the Association of Washington Cities Certificate of Municipal Leadership in 2021.
Hurst has served as Council President (2021, 2022, 2024) and led efforts to create the South County Regional Fire Authority and consolidate Snohomish County’s 911 services.
His priorities include public safety, responsible growth management, affordable housing, and addressing homelessness through sound financial stewardship.
Derica Escamilla, appointed to Lynnwood City Council Position 1 in 2024, is a first-generation Mexican-American raised in Southern Texas and a proud Lynnwood resident since 2008. A Texas State University graduate with a degree in Resource and Environmental Studies, she has served on multiple city boards, including Economic Development, South Lynnwood Neighborhood Co-Design, and the Comprehensive Plan Update.
Her priorities include youth resources, mental health, homelessness, affordable housing, gang violence prevention, and infrastructure. She is driven to amplify underrepresented voices and build a stronger, more inclusive Lynnwood.
Robert Leutwyler, appointed to Lynnwood City Council Position 5 in 2025, is a U.S. Army veteran who served as an Infantry Platoon Leader in Afghanistan with the 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, earning the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
A Texas native and proud Pacific Northwest resident since 2011, he became a first-time homeowner in Lynnwood’s Meadowdale neighborhood in 2018. Leutwyler holds an MBA from the University of Washington Foster School of Business and works as a program manager in retirement and financial benefits.
Before his council appointment earlier this year, he had served on the Lynnwood Planning Commission since 2023.
Isabel Mata is a new Lynnwood City Councilwoman for Position 2 in 2025. A freelance writer and mindfulness meditation counselor, Councilwoman-elect Mata is active in the Jewish community, serving on the board of Limmud Seattle and with the Washington State Jewish Historical Society.
Her platform emphasized safety through co-response crisis teams, affordable housing via flexible zoning and city-owned units, support for local businesses over corporate chains, and greater inclusion—including dedicated spaces for queer and diverse religious communities.
She advocates transparent “co-governing” through public forums and regular “Coffee with a Council Member” events to boost civic engagement in the growing city.
Bryce Owings, a lifelong Lynnwood resident, Union Carpenter, husband, and father of three, is the new Lynnwood City Councilman for Position 3 having defeated incumbent Joshua Binda.
His priorities include balanced housing that protects single-family neighborhoods while bringing back condos, attracting homeowners, partnering with organizations like Union Gospel Mission to address homelessness, and boosting local jobs through community-labor agreements.
A graduate of Mountlake Terrace High School with deep roots in Lynnwood’s parks and community, Owings promises transparent, approachable leadership so families can continue calling Lynnwood home.
Community Proclamations
The Council honored outgoing officials Mayor Christine Frizzell, Josh Binda, and Patrick Decker for their service to Lynnwood.
Christine Frizzell served as Mayor of Lynnwood from 2022–2025 after four years on the City Council. A lifelong Lynnwood resident and Meadowdale High graduate, she began her career at the Lynnwood Library, later becoming a self-employed accountant for over 30 years while raising two daughters, mostly as a single mom.
Deeply committed to community service, Mayor Frizzell has volunteered extensively with homelessness initiatives, single-mother mentoring, jail outreach, Lynnwood Rotary, Kids Fire Camp, and multiple nonprofit boards.
During her tenure, she represented Lynnwood on the Community Transit and Sound Transit boards, Economic Alliance Snohomish County, and served as interim South County Fire commissioner. Her leadership emphasized compassionate, community-rooted governance.
Board and Commission Appointments
The Council unanimously approved the following City of Lynnwood appointments:
- Reappoint to Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Member Leilani Wainui Kamala
- Reappoint of Board Members Matthew Cail (Position #2) and Dorina Katro (Position #3) to Planning Commission
- Reappoint Vanessa Villavicencio to the Human Services Commission
Author: Mario Lotmore
