The West Richland City Council voted to set the 2026 regular property tax levy at $3,361,985.84 — an allowable 1% increase — when it passed Ordinance 27‑25 on Nov. 18.

Finance staff reviewed levy mechanics and limits, noting that state rules limit regular property tax revenue increases for local governments with populations over 10,000 to the lesser of 1% or the implicit price deflator; for 2026 the council used the 1% allowance. The proposed levy increase equals $32,392. The staff presentation showed the levy split with roughly $2,605,539 (about 77.5%) allocated to the general fund and $756,447 (about 22.5%) to the library fund.

During the public hearing, resident Nancy Aldridge thanked staff for the clear presentation and said she supported moving forward with the 1% increase. Resident Jeff Herring urged the council not to raise taxes beyond 1% and described the impact of reassessments on fixed‑income residents. Council discussion clarified that individual property assessments can rise while the city’s levied amount increases by only 1% in dollars; Councilmember Richard Bloom explained that as assessed values grow the levy rate tends to fall and the city can collect only the allowable additional revenue amount.

Council moved to pass Ordinance 27‑25 and certified the levy; the motion carried on a voice vote. The ordinance also accounts for an excess bond levy approved by voters in 2019 (debt service for the new police station), which increases a property’s total tax payment separate from the regular levy.

Ordinance 27‑25: Approved (voice vote).