Residents in Burien will soon cast their votes on a critical funding matter. On the upcoming November ballot, a proposition known as "Levy Lid Lift for Public Safety" (City of Burien Proposition No. 1) seeks to address the city's public safety financing challenges. As reported by the City of Burien, escalating costs for public safety are outpacing the revenue collected through property taxes, painting a dire financial landscape for sustaining current levels of service.
The city has seen public safety costs climb between 5 to 8 percent each year, a stark contrast to the mere one percent annual increase in property tax income. Without a boost in funding, maintaining the existing public safety services won't be feasible. To understand and meet the needs of its residents, the city has engaged in over two years of discussions, research, and planning alongside city staff and has presented findings to the Burien City Council, the latter having unanimously approved the ballot language for this measure on July 14, 2025.
Highlighted in the levy are three community-driven priorities seeking approval: expanding the existing police co-response model to tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health crises, and public drug use; preserving current police staffing and adding officers to support co-response teams, increase patrols, and enhance community crime prevention; and making streets and sidewalks safer through infrastructure improvements and additional lighting. These priorities, developed from two years of community engagement, research, and planning, reflect the shared concerns of the Burien populace.
The levy comes with a financial implication for homeowners—an estimated $0.79519/$1,000 of assessed property value. For a house valued at $596,000, this represents an increase of about $39.50 a month, or $473.90 annually. However, it's noteworthy that certain homeowners, including those 62 or older or disabled individuals meeting low-income criteria, may be eligible for tax exemptions under RCW 84.36.381. As published by the City's announcement, detailed information about the exemption eligibility is available to those who qualify.
King County Elections has paved the way for the levy to appear on the voting ballot by certifying the ballot title and ordering an election on August 25, 2025. The general election ballots will be mailed on October 15, 2025, and voters must ensure their ballots are postmarked by November 4 or dropped in a ballot box by 8 p.m. the same day. For added assistance, voters can turn to the King County Elections website for comprehensive voting information.
