Will renters in Everett see the utility tax increase?

Renters who pay utilities directly will see the same increase as homeowners. Renters whose landlord pays water may see costs reflected over time in future rent adjustments, typically at lease renewal.

Q: How much will Everett’s proposed utility tax add to my water bill?
A: The proposed 12% utility tax — doubling the current 6% rate — would add approximately $10.74 per month to the average Everett household’s water bill. If approved by the City Council, the increase takes effect July 1, 2026.

How Everett’s $10.74 Monthly Water Bill Increase Will Hit Your Household

For most Everett households, the utility tax debate at City Hall feels abstract — until it shows up on your bill. Here’s what the proposed rate change actually means for residents, broken down by renter vs. owner, apartment vs. single-family home, and household water use.

The Number That Matters: $10.74 Per Month

The City of Everett’s proposed ordinance would replace its current 6% “payment in lieu of taxes” (PILT) fee on water and sewer with a formal 12% utility tax. The change doubles the embedded rate in your water bill. For the average Everett household, city officials calculate that translates to approximately $10.74 per month — about $129 per year.

That’s not a dramatic number in isolation. But Everett households are already absorbing inflation-driven cost increases across utilities, groceries, and housing, and this increase would be implemented without a public vote. The council is expected to take three readings on the ordinance beginning in April 2026, with the final vote and a proposed July 1, 2026 effective date.

Renters vs. Homeowners: Who Feels It How

If you own your home and pay your water bill directly to the city, the impact is straightforward: $10.74 more per month starting in July. You’ll see it as a line item change on your utility statement.

If you rent, the picture is more complicated. Rental properties in Everett where the landlord pays water — common in apartments and some older rental homes — may see landlords pass the cost through over time, either in lease renewals or as part of broader rent adjustments. Rentals where tenants pay utilities directly will see the same bill increase as homeowners.

Residents who live in multi-unit buildings where water is included in rent should not expect an immediate increase on July 1, but may see the cost reflected at their next lease renewal. This is not a guarantee — landlord behavior varies — but it’s the realistic expectation based on how utility cost increases typically work their way through rental markets.

Your Sewer Bill Is Affected Too

The proposed tax applies to both water and sewer services. Over 180,000 sewer customers in the Everett service area will be affected. If your household pays both water and sewer to the city, both line items will reflect the doubled rate. The $10.74 average increase figure represents the combined effect across both services.

What If You’re on a Fixed Income or Tight Budget

City officials have stated that they intend to expand the existing utility payment assistance program for income-qualified customers before the July 1 effective date. As of April 2026, the specifics of the expanded program — eligibility thresholds, assistance amounts, how to apply — have not been publicly released.

If you currently receive utility payment assistance from the City of Everett, monitor city communications closely over the coming months. The program expansion should clarify whether your current assistance level will be adjusted to account for the higher base rate. If you don’t currently receive assistance but are struggling with utility costs, this is the time to inquire — the city’s Water Department and Community Development office handle assistance applications.

What You Can Do Before the Council Vote

Because utility taxes in Washington state do not require voter approval, the City Council’s vote is the decision point. Before the final vote — expected after the third council reading in late spring 2026 — residents have the opportunity to comment at council meetings.

Everett City Council meetings are held at Everett City Hall (2930 Wetmore Ave). Public comment periods occur at the beginning of most meetings and are open to any Everett resident or stakeholder. Written comments can also be submitted to the City Clerk. The Council’s contact information is available at everettwa.gov.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Is Happening

Mayor Cassie Franklin said it plainly at her March 2026 State of the City address: “We cannot cut our way to a sustainable future.” Everett faces a projected $14 million budget deficit heading into the 2027 budget cycle — a structural gap created by rising public safety and infrastructure costs outpacing traditional revenue sources constrained by Washington state property tax levy limits.

The utility tax, if approved, would close roughly half the deficit ($7.5 million per year). The remaining gap has not yet been addressed by a specific public proposal. Residents can expect additional budget discussions — and potentially additional asks — in the coming months as the 2027 budget cycle approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions for Everett Residents

Q: Do I have to vote on this or will it just happen?
A: Utility taxes in Washington state do not require public votes. The City Council approves them through the standard ordinance process. Residents can comment at council meetings before the final vote.

Q: What if I live outside Everett but get my water from Everett?
A: You will be indirectly affected. Everett embeds the tax in its wholesale water costs, which flow to the utilities that serve your city or water district. Those utilities may pass the cost through at different rates depending on their own pricing structures.

Q: When exactly will my bill go up?
A: If the ordinance passes, the proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. Your first billing cycle after that date would reflect the new rate.

Q: Is there any assistance for low-income households?
A: City officials have committed to expanding utility payment assistance before July 1. Specific details have not been announced. Contact the City of Everett Water Department or visit everettwa.gov for current assistance program information.

Q: What happens to the money this raises?
A: The approximately $7.5 million per year generated by the utility tax goes to Everett’s general fund, which covers public safety, parks, city services, and the broader municipal operating budget.