2027-28 Bothell budget discussion with possible new sales taxes was on Sept. 8 agenda

What the records say

The September 8, 2026, Bothell City Council agenda included a city manager report with two items: a discussion of the 2027-2028 budget transmittal and timeline, with an attached introduction message from the city manager, and an economic vitality update ¹. The staff briefing states the city manager was transmitting the Proposed 2027-28 Biennial Budget and the 2027-2033 Capital Facilities Plan to the Council, with highlights including preserving existing services, funding Council priorities, customer service investments, minimizing taxpayer impact through a statutorily limited 1% property tax levy increase, and consideration of two sales tax options: a 0.1% Criminal Justice Sales Tax and a 0.01% Human Services Sales Tax ¹. The briefing also says the budget introduction was moved up several weeks from prior years, with potential adoption before the end of November ¹.

• The Sept. 8 agenda's city manager report included a 2027-2028 budget transmittal and timeline discussion, with a city manager budget introduction message attached as a staff briefing.
• The briefing says the proposed budget considers a statutorily limited 1% property tax levy increase and two sales tax options: a 0.1% Criminal Justice Sales Tax and a 0.01% Human Services Sales Tax.
• The briefing's budget calendar lists a Sept. 15 study session introducing the proposed budget, additional study sessions in October, public hearings, and ordinances on the levy and both sales taxes, with potential adoption before the end of November.
• The agenda also listed an economic vitality update under the city manager report.

Why it matters

The proposed budget under discussion could add two new sales taxes and a 1% property tax levy increase, which would affect what Bothell residents and shoppers pay. The briefing lays out a budget calendar with study sessions, public hearings, and possible adoption before the end of November, giving residents multiple upcoming chances to follow or weigh in. The available records are pre-meeting materials and do not establish what happened at the Sept. 8 meeting.

What changed / what's next

• The Sept. 8 meeting agenda added a proposed 2027-28 budget transmittal and timeline discussion and an economic vitality update to the city manager's report section ¹.
• The briefing names the two sales tax options and rates but does not include projected revenue amounts or a final decision; the taxes were listed for consideration, not adoption ¹.
• Because only pre-meeting records were provided, the available records do not establish the meeting's outcome ¹.