Milton — The City Council voted 4-2 on Nov. 17 to adopt ordinance 2126-25, establishing Milton’s regular property tax levy for 2026 with a 1% increase in the regular levy that Pierce County calculations show will add $16,446 to city revenues.

Interim Director Robec told council the levy ordinance must be adopted and submitted to Pierce County by Nov. 30 and that the attached worksheets show a total increase of $16,446. "The attached ordinance pertains to the increase of 1% of the regular levy only," Robec said.

Mayor Pro Tem Whitaker, who moved to adopt the ordinance, said the city has taken the 1% increase annually and that predictable increments help budgeting. "If the county sits on it, they're gonna make interest on the money and the city would not," he said in support of the consistent approach.

Council member White objected, saying Milton’s budget is in surplus and arguing that new construction revenue ($14,165, per the worksheet) nearly offsets the proposed increase; he said he would vote against raising property taxes for the fourth consecutive year. "I'm gonna, for the fourth year in a row, vote against raising property taxes in town," White said.

During public comment resident Susan Johnson urged the council to accept the 1% increase so residents can budget for smaller annual changes rather than facing a larger increase later.

The ordinance passed on a 4-2 vote. The transcript records the tally but does not include a full roll-call listing of each member's recorded vote. Council members asked staff to verify whether a supermajority is required for this type of levy increase; finance staff noted typical practice is a simple majority but that statutory or county rules could vary.

What happens next: The adopted levy will be forwarded to county officials as part of the year-end tax-limitation process. Staff will confirm legal thresholds and include the levy figures in budget first and second reads.