(The Center Square) – The Snohomish County Council approved a property tax increase of 4% over the next two years as opposed to an 8% increase proposed by the county executive.
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers’ proposed 2025-2026 biennial budget totals $3 billion and included a property tax hike of 8% to the county’s general property tax levy over the next two years.
The increase was proposed in order to help the county avoid cuts to positions. For instance, The Center Square previously reported that the rejection of the 8% increase would result in an inability to fill some 16 to 18 sheriff deputy positions that are currently vacant.
However, county councilmembers opposed the increase and proposed amendments to remove the 8% increase altogether or cut the 8% property tax increase in half.
The latter amendment, sponsored by Snohomish County Council Chair Jared Mead, was initially rejected by the council, but was later approved in the same meeting on Monday after a move to reconsider.
The proposed 8% increase would have translated into an approximately $24 increase per year for a $650,000 home. The amended bill will instead result in a $12 increase in property taxes per year for that homeowner in the county.
Mead noted comments from residents opposed to the tax increase who say they are already cost burdened.
“It’s not our duty to then tack another $25 on top of [residents’ financial burdens],” Mead said in the Snohomish County Council meeting on Monday.
The council chair added that the county will continue to face challenging budget decisions in the future, which means significant decisions are becoming more likely.
“I think this is just kicking the can down the road if we take the full bank capacity [and] put the full burden on the taxpayers – the burden should be on the council and the executive’s office to start making some significant changes,” Mead said. “Otherwise we’re doomed either way.”
Fellow Snohomish County Councilmember Nate Nehring was opposed to any property tax increase, adding that he does not believe the county should raise taxes “before we’ve looked at cutting spending.”
“I’m not opposed to a potential tax increase in the future, but I think we need to be able to look citizens in the eye and say ‘we have gone through the entire budget with a fine-tooth comb and cut all waste from county government,” Nehring said.
Earlier this month, the council was presented with an audit of the executive’s office that found redundancies, inefficiencies, and overlapping functions within the department.
The amended council bill was approved by a 3-2 vote. The 2025-2026 budget was also passed by the county by a 3-2 vote on Monday. The legislation and budget now go to Somers for his signature.
