The Tacoma City Council voted to increase by 2.6% a property tax that funds emergency medical services.
The council’s action at its Nov. 12 meeting is part of an annual action it takes to update the city’s property tax levies, as required by state law. Voters first approved a levy lid lift for emergency medical services in 2023. That vote also gave the council the authority to increase the rate every year by 6% until it reaches a cap of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, according to the city.
The council sought to raise the levy rate by 6% for 2026, but will only collect an additional 2.6% in emergency medical service property taxes because the full 6% would have set a levy rate that exceeds the $0.50 limit…