Edmonds hears presentation on fiscal impacts of Esperance annexation

EVERETT — The Edmonds City Council on Tuesday heard a presentation on the potential impacts of annexing Esperance, the first formal council discussion in the latest round of annexation talks.

The 464-acre unincorporated neighborhood is completely surrounded by the city of Edmonds. As of 2025, the population of Esperance was nearly 4,500, which is about 10% of Edmonds’ population, according to Tuesday’s presentation.

While annexation discussions first started more than 60 years ago, the latest round began after voters struck down a $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift in November 2025 that would have helped the city’s budget deficit. Edmonds officials said that annexing Esperance could generate needed revenue for the city.

Esperance voters struck down annexation five times since the 1960s, with the most recent vote in 2005. But last year, a group of Esperance residents began advocating for annexation after raising concerns over zoning changes at the county level. Since then, some residents have said annexation could improve emergency response times, better maintain drinking water quality because of less development and protect pedestrian safety with increased services.

https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/07/16/edmonds-hears-presentation-on-fiscal-impacts-of-esperance-annexation/