Everett mayor to voters: 'There isn't anything left to cut'
EVERETT After years of employment cuts, reorganization and seeking other ways to reduce expenses, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is hopeful the City Council will ask voters for a levy lid increase next year.
During the mayors budget address on Wednesday, Franklin implied that she plans to ask the council to put such a request on the ballot. It would be the first time in 20 years the city asked voters for a higher property tax levy.
Over those years, property taxes have grown annually by 1%, the maximum increase allowed for governments without a public vote. But that hasnt kept pace with inflation, and a cauldron of rising costs for materials and labor, city leaders say.
There isnt anything left to cut or defer without negatively impacting our quality of life and our economic recovery, Franklin said. Everett residents should have a direct voice in these decisions.
Meanwhile, the mayor outlined her plan for spending $155.3 million for general government operations in 2022.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/everett-mayor-to-voters-there-isnt-anything-left-to-cut/