Bothell 2025-26 budget hearing was scheduled to weigh 1% property tax increase and utility rates
The Nov. 12, 2024 City Council agenda set a public hearing on the final 2025-2026 biennial budget, including a proposed 1% property tax levy increase and new water, sewer, and stormwater rates.
What the records say
In materials published ahead of the Nov. 12, 2024 special meeting, the Bothell City Council was scheduled to hold a public hearing on adopting the final 2025-2026 biennial budget and related items. The recommended action was to consider adoption of the budget, including a proposed 1% increase in the 2025 property tax levy for both King and Snohomish counties, along with proposed 2025-26 rates for water, sanitary sewer, and storm and surface water utilities 1. A separate hearing was scheduled the same night on a proposed 1% increase to the EMS levy for the Snohomish County portion of Bothell, with the Council sitting as the Bothell Urban EMS District Board 1.
- A public hearing was scheduled to consider adoption of the final 2025-2026 biennial budget and related items, including a proposed 1% increase in the 2025 property tax levy for King and Snohomish counties 1.
- Proposed 2025-26 utility rates covered water, sanitary sewer, and storm and surface water services 1.
- A proposed 2025-2031 Capital Facilities Plan and a proposed 2025 fee schedule were part of the same hearing item 1.
- A separate hearing was scheduled on a proposed 1% increase to the EMS levy for the Snohomish County portion of Bothell for 2025. The packet estimates the 2025 EMS levy rate at $0.255515 per $1,000 of assessed value — just over $255 for a $1 million home — and notes levy ordinances were due to Snohomish County by Nov. 27, 2024 1.
- Public comment was limited to three minutes per person, and speaker request forms were due by 3:00 p.m. the day of the meeting 1.
Why it matters
Property tax and utility rate changes show up directly in household bills. The proposed 1% property tax increase and new water, sewer, and stormwater rates would affect what Bothell residents pay, and the proposed 2025 fee schedule would affect building, permit, and other city charges 1.
What changed / what's next
- A 1% increase in the property tax levy was proposed for 2025 in both King and Snohomish counties 1.
- New 2025-26 utility rates were proposed for water, sanitary sewer, and storm and surface water services 1.
- A 1% EMS levy increase was proposed for the Snohomish County portion of Bothell for 2025 1.
- A proposed 2025-2031 Capital Facilities Plan and a proposed 2025 fee schedule were before the Council 1.
- The available records establish only what was scheduled and proposed; they do not establish the hearing's outcome or final adoption.
- The hearing record lists proposed rate and levy changes, but the specific rate amounts in the attached ordinances were not established in the supplied packet 1.
- The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.