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The City of Seattle
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An ordinance authorizing the levy of regular property taxes by The City of Seattle for collection in 2027, representing an increase above the regular property taxes levied for collection in 2026; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
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Recitals:
Since the approval of “Referendum 47” on November 4, 1997, RCW 84.55.120 requires the City to enact a separate ordinance indicating the change in taxes from the previous year in terms of percentage and total amount in order to increase regular property taxes.
The City of Seattle proposes to make its regular property tax levy for collection in 2027 in the amount reflected in the companion ordinance to this bill, which is commonly known as the “Long Property Tax Ordinance.”
The Long Property Tax Ordinance for 2027 authorizes an increase above the amount of regular property taxes levied for collection in 2026.
The City’s actual levy amount from 2026 was $905,625,081, and the City’s population is 10,000 or more.
Pursuant to RCW 84.55.120, and after proper notice was given, the City Council held public hearings on October 6, 2026, and November 5, 2026, to consider The City of Seattle's 2027 budget and the regular property tax levy to support it.
Notice of the City Council's consideration of this ordinance has been provided in the usual manner for other proposed City ordinances. Therefore,
Be it ordained by The City of Seattle as follows:
Section 1. Regular property taxes for collection in 2027 are authorized in the amount reflected in the ordinance introduced as Council Bill 121316. Not including increases resulting from the addition of new construction, improvements to property, newly-constructed wind turbines, biomass, and geothermal facilities, any increase in the value of state-assessed property, increment value, any annexations that have occurred, and refunds made, the regular property tax levy for 2027 collection represents an increase above regular property taxes levied for collection in 2026 (excluding the "refund fund levy" in both instances) of $40,947,490, which is a 4.55 percent increase. These regular property tax levies for collection in 2026 and 2027 include regular property tax “levy lid lifts” previously approved by the voters of The City of Seattle.
Section 2. Any act consistent with the authority of this ordinance taken after its passage and prior to its effective date is ratified and confirmed.
This ordinance shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Sections 1.04.020 and 1.04.070.
Passed by the City Council and signed in open session in authentication of its passage on .
President of the City Council
on .
Katie B. Wilson, Mayor
Lenné Dedman, City Clerk