Lynnwood City Council defers action on a new 0.1% Public Safety Sales Tax to 2026

LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council on December 1, unanimously agreed to postpone consideration of a proposed 0.1% public safety sales tax ordinance and remove it from its December 8 agenda to be revisited in early 2026. The council would like to provide Lynnwood Police Chief Cole Langdon enough time to complete a full review of state-mandated […]
Lynnwood council wrestles to approve 2.7% COLA increase for non-union staff

LYNNWOOD—Facing a structural budget deficit that is still short approximately $3.1 million, Lynnwood City Council members are wrestling with whether to grant non-represented (GSO) city employees the same 2.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) the City is being asked to approve for its unionized AFSCME employees. Human Resources Director Annie Vandenkooy urged the City Council on Monday, […]
Merry ‘Tax’-mas: Lynnwood approves millions of dollars in new taxes and fees

LYNNWOOD—New single-family home construction will jump at least $9,652 (minimum of $72,114 for multi-family dwellings) for one-time water and sewer connection fees for a homeowner or developer in Lynnwood, along with a 15% property tax rate increase and a 67% utility tax increase for existing residents following approvals by the Lynnwood City Council at its […]
Lynnwood proposed property tax hike sparks heated council debate

LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council continued its conversation on its Budget, which included 2025 mid-biennial budget amendments and a proposed 2026 property tax levy, in addition to municipal code changes, at its Business Meeting held Monday, November 17. Mid-Biennium Budget Review Amendments The first agenda item was to review mid-biennial budget amendments. As required by state […]
Lynnwood Council greenlights a new $600 million vision for the Lynnwood Event Center

LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council on Monday, October 13, greenlit a series of pivotal motions spearheaded by Councilman David Parshall propelling the Lynnwood Public Facilities District’s (LPFD) ambitious $600 million Master Phasing Plan forward. The Council also approved changes to the Lynnwood Municipal Code. Councilman Patrick Decker did not attend Monday’s council meeting. “The Development Agreement […]
Lynnwood Councilwoman Derica Escamilla denies the evidence, says her dog never ‘bit a human’

LYNNWOOD—During Council Comments at the City Council Meeting on Monday, October 6, 2025, Lynnwood Councilwoman Derica Escamilla denied that her 109-pound, 2-year-old male Dogo Argentino/Boxer mix named Sumo has ever bitten anyone. She also denied that the dog has ever attacked a human. “Just clarify,” Escamilla said, “My dog has not bit a human for […]
Councilwoman’s Dog Sparks Outrage: Deadly Dog Attack, Alleged Cover-Up, and a City’s Failure to Act

LYNNWOOD—Multiple Lynnwood residents shared their concerns with the Lynnwood Times of a dog in their neighborhood that, after multiple attacks, has yet to be classified as a Dangerous Animal. The dog has bitten two people, leaving one unable to work, and has bitten at least three dogs, contributing to the death of one—all in less […]
Lynnwood Council approves retail cannabis within city limits

LYNNWOOD—In a 5-2 vote, the Lynnwood City Council during it Monday, September 22 Business meeting, approve an ordinance permitting retail cannabis businesses in specific zones within city limits. The ordinance establishes regulations for up to four retail cannabis businesses, with priority given to existing title certificate holders issued by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis […]
Lynnwood to hold Public Hearings on retail cannabis and annexation Sept 8

LYNNWOOD—At its upcoming Business Meeting at 6 p.m., September 8, the City of Lynnwood will be holding a Public Hearing on Retail Cannabis to receive public input regarding an ordinance to amend the municipal code that will permit retail cannabis in specific zones and with limitations within the city limits of Lynnwood. A Public Hearing […]
Lynnwood now facing $10.7 million budget shortfall, mayor proposing layoffs

LYNNWOOD—At its Business Meeting on Monday, July 28, the Council adopted revisions to its Council Rules of Procedure, approved an $800,000 settlement with Marshbank Construction, and further discussed the City’s, now $11 million, budget crisis. Revisions to Resolution 2024-08 Council Rules Below is a summary of proposed changes to the Council Rules of Procedure that […]