Community Transit takeover sparks union backlash, Everett faces largest sales tax increase in state history
EVERETT—The City of Everett and Community Transit announced April 22 they are resuming work on an interlocal agreement to annex Everett into Community Transit’s Public Transportation Benefit Area, a move that would dissolve Everett Transit as a separate agency and transfer its services, routes, fleet, facilities and employees to the larger regional provider while doubling […]
Lynnwood City Council passes sales tax increase to 10.7%, now highest in Washington state
LYNNWOOD—The council voted 5-1, at its Monday business meeting, to impose a councilmanic 0.1% public safety sales tax increase without voter approval, to fund criminal justice and safety priorities—Council Vice President Derica Escamilla was the lone dissent. Starting April 1, on April Fool’s Day, Lynnwood’s combined sales tax rate will increase to 10.7%—the highest in Washington state. […]
Lynnwood Council ends 2025 with a bang, now pay more in 2026
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 […]
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 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 […]
