Public feedback sought in mitigating Sound Transit $34.5 billion shortfall
SEATTLE—Sound Transit faces rapidly escalating costs in nearly every area of its work, and as part of its Enterprise Initiative to develop a comprehensive process to address this long-term financial challenge, the agency wants to public feedback to evaluate different approaches to updating the ST3 System Plan with a 5-minute survey. The agency currently estimates […]
John Braun commentary: Olympia’s concern for affordability continues to be one-sided
Republicans still seem to be alone at the state Capitol when it comes to knowing what “affordability” truly means. The proof is in the nearly 70 bills proposed or reintroduced by majority Democrats over the past several weeks that would make living in our state even more expensive. This long list of legislation would increase […]
Who Really Gets Your Property Taxes in Snohomish County? The Surprising Breakdown Most Homeowners Don’t Know
Each fall, as local governments consider their budgets for the coming year, the issue of property taxes comes front and center in council chambers across the County. Our property tax system is complicated, but the impact of property taxes on residents and business owners is clear. In this month’s column, I will share information about […]
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 […]
Sound Transit board approves property tax increase, cost overruns up to $34.5 billion
[The Center Square]—Residents in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties will pay more in property taxes next year, as the Sound Transit Board of Directors has approved a 1% property tax increase as the agency faces an estimated more than $30 billion in cost overruns on its Sound Transit 3 expansion projects. Sound Transit can raise property […]
Lynnwood Times election interview: Candidate Dio Boucsieguez
LYNNWOOD—With just over two weeks left until the November 4 General Elections, the Lynnwood Times invited Lynnwood CC candidate Dio Boucsieguez back for another interview with a new set of questions on his platform and policies. The first time the Lynnwood Times interviewed Boucsieguez was just before the Primaries. The Times also reached out to […]
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 […]
Hurst calls for new Citizen Action Committee, alleges Mayor’s faulty budget plunges Lynnwood into financial crisis
The Lynnwood City Council’s primary responsibility is to protect the economic stability of the City’s government. As the current Chair of the Lynnwood City Council Finance Committee, I am responding to the Mayor’s public comments regarding Lynnwood’s budget deficit in 2025. The Mayor has said,” like many jurisdictions across the Country, Lynnwood is experiencing a […]
House Democrats push 200% increase on property tax cap
OLYMPIA—Democratic state lawmakers are aiming to erase a voter-approved limit on annual property tax hikes as a way, they claim, to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for public schools and local governments. The state House Finance Committee held a hearing Tuesday on House Bill 1334 which would repeal a 1% cap on annual growth for property […]
Hundreds speak out against proposed 8% property tax increase
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 […]
