The Marysville City Council voted unanimously on November 9 to approve the city's 470 million dollar budget for the 2027-2028 fiscal years. The measure passed during the council's regular meeting, marking the end of a lengthy planning process that began in February. While the new budget includes a structural deficit and various rate increases, officials noted that property tax rates will remain unchanged for the upcoming period.
Council member Kelly Richards expressed relief regarding the property tax decision after the vote. She noted that the city has a strong track record of avoiding such increases and was personally surprised that they were not necessary this time. Richards also extended her appreciation to city staff for their efforts in balancing the accounts. This sentiment aligns with the broader view that the administration successfully navigated a complex financial landscape.
Mayor John Nehring described this specific budget cycle as the most difficult since the Great Recession. During a council meeting on October 5, he highlighted the challenges the city faced in maintaining fiscal stability. The general fund spending within the approved plan totals 157.3 million dollars, a figure that covers the majority of the city's personnel costs. Nehring emphasized that the city is now balanced and prepared for the next two years.
The general fund revenue is projected to be approximately 154.1 million dollars, which results in a structural deficit of 3.2 million dollars. City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton explained in an interview on October 23 that the city will cover this shortfall using existing savings. This approach allows the city to maintain operations without immediately raising the property tax, a strategy that has been a priority for local leadership.
Several external factors contributed to the need for revenue adjustments and expense cuts. Mayor Nehring cited inflation, rising fuel prices, and increased county jail fees as significant pressures. Additionally, the city faces unfunded state mandates, such as requirements to lower case workloads for defense attorneys, which necessitated tighter budget management. These issues forced the administration to look for new revenue streams and identify areas for cost reduction.
To manage expenses, the city plans to eliminate five full-time positions and restructure many other roles. Despite these changes, the total number of general fund employees will remain the same under the new budget. This restructuring aims to improve efficiency while maintaining the current workforce size. The city is also implementing a small increase in the sales tax to help offset rising costs in specific sectors.
The sales tax rate in Marysville will rise from 9.4 percent to 9.5 percent. This adjustment is expected to generate 3.3 million dollars in revenue over the two-year period. The funds raised will be directed specifically toward criminal justice purposes, a move permitted by state law. Mayor Nehring noted that public safety represents the largest portion of the unfunded mandates the city is currently addressing.
Marysville is not the only local government making such adjustments. Snohomish County, Edmonds, and Stanwood approved similar criminal justice sales taxes in August, while Lynnwood adopted a tax in January. These coordinated efforts across the region reflect a shared response to increasing demands in public safety and justice services. The new tax in Marysville follows the same legal framework as its neighboring jurisdictions.
In addition to the sales tax, residents should expect higher utility bills starting in 2027. The city will increase rates for water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste services. These increases follow a comprehensive study that officials finalized alongside the budget, according to City Administrator Stapleton. The goal is to ensure that utility rates accurately reflect the true cost of service delivery.
For a typical residential customer, water rates will increase by approximately 35 dollars every two months. The cost per 10,000 gallons will rise from 59.58 dollars to 95.32 dollars. Wastewater rates will see an increase of 23.81 dollars for a typical household, moving from 107 dollars to 130.81 dollars every two months. Stormwater charges will go up by 8.43 dollars, from 29.08 dollars to 37.51 dollars, while solid waste rates will increase by 6.15 dollars for standard service levels.
