Lynnwood raises property, utility taxes amid budget shortfall
LYNNWOOD — The Lynnwood City Council approved a 24% property tax increase and raised some utility taxes to 10% Monday.
The changes come as the city faces a $25 million budget deficit. In July, Mayor Christine Frizzell announced the deficit, which mostly stems from lower-than-expected revenues from sales tax, development and red-light cameras. After a slew of cuts and policy changes, the general fund has an $8 million operating gap for 2026, finance director Michelle Meyer said Monday.
The city could have raised property taxes by $3.85 million — or a 53% increase — without voter approval. Council member and mayor-elect George Hurst proposed the 24% increase, or $1.7 million, which he called a “compromise.”
“The council will not fix this in November,” Hurst said. “I beg you to let a new administration look at this, do what we have to do this year, then the new administration can start looking and see if we can resolve some things besides having tremendous tax and fee increases.”
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/lynnwood-raises-property-utility-taxes-amid-budget-shortfall/