Everett to consider increased utility tax rate

EVERETT — The city of Everett is considering implementing a new tax on city utilities that would affect hundreds of thousands of people throughout Snohomish County.

The utility tax would amount to a 6% increase of a fee customers currently pay for water and sewer service.

Currently, the city imposes a 6% “payment in lieu of taxes” fee on its water and sewer utilities, which serve residents both within Everett and in cities across the county. The city’s new proposal, announced at a budget committee meeting Wednesday, would remove that 6% fee and replace it with a 12% utility tax.

Everett is considering the utility tax as a way to raise more revenue as it faces the need to close a potential $14 million deficit in the 2027 budget. The tax increase would raise about $7.5 million toward the city’s general fund, closing about half of the looming budget gap.

https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/03/19/everett-to-consider-increased-utility-tax-rate/