Kenmore Sound

City Hall · Occurred · Outcome pending · Jun 15, 2026

Climate, housing, and human services levy proposed for Kenmore's Nov. 2026 ballot

Kenmore officials were scheduled June 15 to consider an ordinance that would put a climate, housing, and human services property-tax levy before voters on Nov. 3, 2026 1.

What the records say

City materials published ahead of the June 15, 2026 meeting show the City Council was scheduled to consider adopting Ordinance No. 26-0644, which would refer a levy lid lift to the Nov. 3, 2026 general election as “City of Kenmore Proposition No. 1: Climate & Environmental Stewardship, Affordable Housing, and Human Services Levy” 1. The proposed levy would add roughly $0.36 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, for a total regular property-tax rate not to exceed $1.25 per $1,000 for collection in 2027; set the limit factor for the city’s regular property-tax levy at 6% for 2028-2032; and use the 2032 levy amount as the base for calculating later levies 1. Qualifying seniors, disabled veterans, and people with disabilities would be exempt from the increase 1.

  • Consideration of Ordinance No. 26-0644 was scheduled for the June 15, 2026 meeting.
  • The ordinance would place Proposition No. 1 on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot.
  • The levy would add roughly $0.36 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, capping the total rate at $1.25 per $1,000 for 2027 and setting the 2028-2032 limit factor at 6%.
  • The measure would fund climate and environmental stewardship, affordable housing, and human services; qualifying seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities would be exempt from the increase.
  • The item was to be presented by City Manager Teri Killgore, Finance and Administration Director Melinda Merrell, and Senior Budget and Fiscal Analyst Tshilaba Verite.

Why it matters

If the ordinance is adopted and voters approve the measure, the levy would raise property-tax revenue while lifting Kenmore’s regular property tax above the state’s 1% annual growth cap, funding climate work, affordable housing, and human services 1. City materials estimate the added cost at roughly $30 per month for the owner of a $1,000,000 home 1, so approval would directly change what Kenmore households pay in property tax 1.

What changed / what's next

  • A proposed ordinance that would refer a three-part property-tax levy to the November 2026 ballot was published for consideration at the June 15, 2026 meeting 1.
  • The records do not establish the June 15 meeting’s outcome, so whether the measure will actually reach the Nov. 2026 ballot is not known from this material 1.
  • The agenda bill says staff would work with King County Elections to meet an Aug. 3 deadline to place the measure on the ballot, while the staff presentation lists “Tuesday 8/4” as the last day to file for the general election; the records do not reconcile the two dates 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.