Bothell's 2026 community budget survey found roads, safety services, and parks top resident priorities

What the records say

Materials for the April 21, 2026 Bothell City Council meeting include a staff briefing, 'Community Budget Survey Initial Results,' presented under the City Manager Report & Presentations (item 7.a.1) ¹. The briefing states the city contracted with research firm PRR to conduct a statistically valid biennial budget survey, open February 9 to March 1, 2026, via an online public link and postcard mailings to 8,000 households, offered in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese; it received 588 valid responses ¹. Key findings reported in the briefing: 82% say Bothell is a good or excellent place to live, 92% feel safe, 86% feel welcomed and like they belong, and 62% agree Bothell is headed in the right direction ¹. Top-ranked investment priorities were maintaining roads, traffic lights, and signs; connecting the city with sidewalks, transit, trails, and roads; fire, EMS, and crisis response; city parks, trails, and open areas; and water, sewer, and garbage services ¹. On services, 74% rated quality as good or excellent, 60% felt they have opportunities to offer input, and 59% agreed they are getting their money's worth for tax dollars ¹. The biggest issues respondents identified were balancing growth with infrastructure demand, affordability (especially housing), and defining and maintaining Bothell's character ¹. The briefing states no Council action is requested at this time ¹. Because this is pre-meeting material, the supplied records do not establish what occurred at the April 21 meeting ¹.

• The survey ran February 9 to March 1, 2026, using an online public link plus a statistically valid sample drawn from two rounds of postcards mailed to 8,000 households; it was offered in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese and drew 588 valid responses ¹.
• Reported findings include 82% rating Bothell a good or excellent place to live, 92% feeling safe, 62% saying the city is headed in the right direction, and 74% rating service quality good or excellent ¹.
• Top investment priorities were maintaining roads, traffic lights, and signs; connecting the city with sidewalks, transit, trails, and roads; fire, EMS, and crisis response; parks, trails, and open areas; and water, sewer, and garbage services ¹.
• The biggest issues respondents identified were balancing growth with infrastructure demand, affordability (especially housing), and maintaining Bothell's character ¹.
• The briefing states no Council action is requested at this time; the supplied records do not establish the April 21 meeting's outcome ¹.

Why it matters

The survey is designed to let residents rank priorities for the upcoming city budget and rate city services, and the briefing says results will help decision makers understand community needs ¹. Analysis: The findings give Bothell households a direct view of what neighbors told the city matters most — roads and connections, emergency services, parks, and utilities — before budget decisions are made. The record shows the item was a briefing with no action requested, so no budget decision flowed from it in this packet ¹.

What changed / what's next

• Ahead of the April 21, 2026 meeting, city staff published initial results of the 2026 biennial community budget survey, showing 588 responses with infrastructure, emergency services, parks, and utilities as top priorities ¹.
• How the survey findings feed into the city's upcoming budget process; the briefing requests no Council action, and the supplied records do not show any decisions tied to the item ¹.
• Whether the city publishes the full final survey report or follows up with additional engagement before budget decisions ¹.
• The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.