Council retreat to consider councilmanic tax and levy lid lift options

What the records say

In materials published ahead of the March 21, 2026 city council retreat, the agenda included a 1:45 PM session on 'Fiscal Issues and Strategies' ¹. The session was scoped to 'councilmanic tax and levy lid lift options' ¹. Its bullet points show an 'Alignment Check' asking 'What to go out on?' and 'When to go out?', plus a list of 'Fallback Approaches' ¹. That wording suggests the council was expected to discuss which tax measures to put forward and when, along with backup plans. The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.

• The retreat agenda scheduled a 1:45 PM session on 'Fiscal Issues and Strategies'.
• The session was scoped to councilmanic tax and levy lid lift options.
• The agenda asked what measures to put out and when, and listed fallback approaches.

Why it matters

This discussion could eventually determine what tax measures residents see on a ballot and how those measures might affect property tax bills. A councilmanic tax is a type of local tax a council can impose directly without a public vote, while a levy lid lift is a process that lets a city raise its property tax levy above the standard state limit, often requiring voter approval. The retreat is where the city sets its fiscal strategy, so the outcome could shape future revenue and services for Kenmore.

What changed / what's next

• The retreat agenda included a session on fiscal issues and strategies, specifically flagged as covering councilmanic tax and levy lid lift options. ¹
• The retreat meeting is scheduled for March 21, 2026; the record does not specify which tax measures would be proposed or their timing, nor does it establish the meeting's outcome. ¹