LYNNWOOD—For its Monday, January 12, Business Meeting, the Lynnwood City Council will vote to impose a councilmanic 0.1% public safety sales tax increase without voter approval, to fund criminal justice and safety priorities that, if passed, would elevate Lynnwood’s combined sales tax rate to 10.7%—the highest in Washington state. Full agenda, click here.
The Lynnwood City Council will vote on approving a 0.1% sales tax without voter referendum to fund certain public safety and criminal justice purposes.
The City Council of the City of Lynnwood has identified public safety as a priority and determined it is in the best interest of the public’s health, safety, and welfare for staff to apply to the Criminal Justice Training Commission to pursue collection of this sales tax for public safety.
If approved the City of Lynnwood would have the highest sales tax in Washington state at 10.7% and one of the highest sales taxes in the United States following Gillham, Arkansas at 12.625% and various cities in Oklahoma, Alabama, and Louisiana (11 to 11.5%).
2026 Council Leadership Election and Board/Commission Appointments
Lynnwood City Councilmembers will vote to elect a Council President and Vice President, then the newly elected Council President will assign liaison positions based on earlier discussions at the January 5, 2026, City Council Work Session.
Other City Council Administrative Actions
The Council will adopt a resolution of the City of Lynnwood, establishing a schedule of anticipated City Council meetings for calendar year 2026. Council Members will also schedule their annual summit.
Top 8 Candidates for City Council Position 6
The City Clerk tabulated the rankings by City Councilmembers of all 24 applicants down select the top 8 candidates who will be interviewed on January 20 to fill the vacancy of Position 6 after Councilman Goerge Hurst won his bid for Lynnwood Mayor in November 2025.
Author: Mario Lotmore
