💧Edmonds is moving six years of utility rate increases toward a Nov. 10 council agenda

If you live in Edmonds, your utility bills are heading up. The city council voted unanimously Monday to send the rate ordinance to its Nov. 10 consent agenda, which may be the final approval. The proposal would raise water rates 9.75% a year from 2027 to 2032, and staff say it covers rising maintenance costs, capital projects and a big wholesale water increase from Everett.

• Typical household: $33 to $43 more every two months, depending on the year
• 2029: slight bill dip as the 20% utility tax is set to expire
• Budget vote: council is scheduled to vote on the 2027-28 budget Nov. 24

Council President Pro Tem Jenna Nand worries Edmonds would have one of the most expensive utility bills in the area, according to city staff. She suggested lowering the utility tax to 18% or 19%. “I just think 20% is incredible sticker shock when we’re looking at combining that with this utility rate raise,” she said.

In 2025, Everett proposed a 125% rate increase for wholesale water customers, including the Alderwood Water and Wastewater District, which supplies Edmonds. The two are in dispute, but Public Works Director Andy Rheaume said the increase could likely take effect in 2027. Edmonds is deferring water main replacements that year.