Bothell City Council Meeting - November 10, 2026

At the November 10, 2026 Bothell City Council meeting, the council approved the consent agenda, including an amendment adding $350,000 to a pavement preservation contract, along with minutes, vouchers, payroll, and code amendments. The council also approved several budget-related ordinances, including a 1% increase plus new construction for 2027 property-tax levies and increases to water (6.25%), stormwater (5.75%), and sewer (8%) rates. The proposed 2027–28 budget, scheduled for final adoption the following week, includes the first two years of a seven-year, $253 million capital facilities plan, with 39% of the plan funded by non-city grants. The council also approved the 2027 urban EMS levy ordinance after a public hearing.

The council unanimously adopted changes to the city’s procurement policy to reflect state and federal updates, adjust purchasing thresholds for inflation, and clarify contracting and vendor-roster procedures. Changes include raising the direct-buy threshold from $10,000 to $15,000 and increasing the small works roster limit to $530,000 starting in 2027, expanding opportunities for businesses to compete for contracts. Council did not change the limits for contracts requiring council approval; members expressed interest in a future discussion and asked staff to provide comparisons with other jurisdictions and a list of recent contracts. The city manager also identified an interim service agreement and fire-station lease as upcoming items related to Bothell’s transition to the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority.