Snohomish Council Cuts Tax Hike, Approves $3.37 Billion Budget
A 3-2 vote lowered property tax increases but left officials warning of a difficult fiscal path ahead.
By Fernando Rojas ·
The Snohomish County Council voted 3-2 on Tuesday to approve a $3.37 billion budget for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, a figure that is 4.6% higher than the previous biennial budget. The measure passed after a six-hour session in which members rejected most of the revenue increases recommended by County Executive Dave Somers. Council members Megan Dunn, Jared Mead, and Strom Peterson supported the final package, while Sam Low and Nate Nehring dissented.
The primary conflict centered on property tax rates. Somers had proposed a 6% increase over the two-year period to address a projected $56 million deficit. The council instead approved a 1% annual increase, refusing to use the 4.3% of banked capacity available under state law. This decision meant the county would forgo additional revenue that could have been applied to general fund operations.
Chief Budget Officer Kara Main-Hester described the outcome as a challenging situation for the county. She noted that operating costs have risen sharply while revenue growth remains restricted by law. The council also approved new levy rates for veterans relief and developmental disabilities and mental health services. These state-mandated increases equate to an additional $26.90 annually on a median-priced home valued at $741,000.
In a separate 3-2 vote, the council removed $8.7 million in dedicated general fund money that would have covered these new levy obligations. Mead argued that keeping the levies in the general fund would create an irresponsible long-term financial burden. Low and Nehring argued the council could have cut spending elsewhere to cover the new costs without shifting the liability.
The approved budget includes a 1% increase to the roads levy and a 1% increase to the conservation futures levy, generating over $930,000 in additional revenue in 2027. Surface water management fees also rose. A single-family home fee will jump from $122 to $179 per year, an increase of $57. These fees were approved by Dunn, Mead, and Peterson, with Low and Nehring voting against.
The council also trimmed Somers’ proposed increases for the Office of Public Defense’s conflict panel and expert witness budgets by roughly $2 million per year. Mead cited a 30% historical increase in these costs as a reason to limit future growth. Additionally, the body unanimously approved a reduction in jail booking fees for non-felony charges, lowering the 2027 rate from $353 to $272. The fee will rise to approximately $325 in 2028.
Each council member retains a $140,000 annual allotment of real estate excise tax money for capital projects, parks, or roads. This totals $700,000 per year. Mead proposed directing his entire share to the roads fund to help close a public works deficit, but no other member joined him in that allocation. The budget document is now with Somers’ office, which has until a few days to review the amendments before deciding whether to sign or veto the measure.
