Tri-Cities BudgetsThursday, November 12
Pasco leans toward a property tax increase to help with a $12 million budget gap
The Daily Kennewick team
Pasco is leaning toward asking voters for a tax increase. On Monday night, the City Council showed a clear preference for a levy lid lift: a 39.5-cent increase that could raise more than $5.4 million to help a city facing a $12 million budget gap. The city's 2026 levy rate was about $1.14 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Pasco's levy lid lift would cost a $500,000 home about $198 a year
- 39.5 cents
- proposed increase to the city's levy
- $5.4 million
- or more in new revenue it could raise
- $198
- is the estimated yearly cost on a $500,000 home
Source: Tri-City Herald
Nothing is final. Voters would need to approve it, the city is aiming for the Feb. 9 special election ballot, and it wouldn't take effect until 2028. If it fails, the city would likely cut police and fire positions and close Memorial Pool and the Senior Center. The council had already unanimously approved a 1% property tax increase worth $152,053. Kennewick and West Richland have also cut and raised taxes, the Tri-City Herald reports.
- Sales tax: council will likely approve 0.1% for public safety, about $3.6 million a year
- Fire: city will still likely close one underused station
- Pay: city will also consider freezing COLA or step increases
Pasco's budget decisions run from November into 2027
- Nov. 9Council showed a clear preference for a levy lid lift.
- Nov. 16A second public hearing on the budget is scheduled.
- Dec. 7Final adoption of the 2027-2028 budget is scheduled.
- Feb. 9The city is aiming to put the levy lid lift on the special election ballot.
- April 2027A 0.1% public safety sales tax would take effect if the council approves it.
Sources: Tri-City Herald, Nonstop Local News
Sources: Tri-City Herald, Nonstop Local News