Public Safety and General Government Services 2024 Ballot Measure
At their June 11, 2024 meeting, Edgewood City Council passed Resolution No. 24-0721 to allow a submittal of a proposition to be placed on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot. This proposition provides for stable funding for law enforcement and other essential city services. This proposition increases the city’s regular property tax rate by $.58 to a total authorized rate of $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed value collected in 2025. This levy would be used for subsequent levy limits. Taxpayers qualifying for an exemption under RCW 84.36.381 are exempt from the increase.
About Proposition 1: Property Tax Levy Lid Lift Increase for Public Safety and General Government Services
The City of Edgewood is currently taxing well below its maximum allowable rate of $1.60 per
$1,000 of assessed value and is seeking voter approval to increase the levy to $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed value. This additional funding will be used to retain law enforcement staffing levels and to maintain other essential city services.
A levy lid lift allows the City to increase the property tax levy rate more than the current 1% annual limit. With inflation running much higher than 1% annually, the city cannot maintain existing service levels for police or keep up with rising labor and materials costs for other essential city services.
This proposition increases the City’s levy rate by approximately $.58 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2025 and would be used to calculate the statutory limitation for future levy increases. For the median Edgewood home value of $625,000 this levy would add about $30 in property taxes per month. Low-income seniors and low-income disabled homeowners may qualify for an exemption from this increase.