Pasco Approves 1% Property Tax Increase

The City Council unanimously passed Ordinance 4862, adding $152,053 in city revenue.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Inflation

Live Poll

Would you support a small property tax increase to protect local fire and pool services?

Pasco City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 4862, a 1% property tax increase that adds $152,053 in city revenue. For a $500,000 home, the difference between the increase and no action is $5.55.

Why it matters

Residents urged council not to cut fire protection, police services, Memorial Pool, the senior center, or parks and recreation programs, making the revenue decision central to local services. Council also declared an emergency at the Process Water Reuse Facility, where the nitrogen removal system is not meeting design and performance standards.

The 1% increase adds $152,053 in city revenue, or $5.55 for a $500,000 home compared with no action. Council has not specified how the added revenue will be allocated across the services residents asked it to protect.

The players

Pasco City Council

The seven-member governing body of the City of Pasco, which unanimously approved the property tax increase and the emergency resolution.

The details

Council approved the tax increase after a public hearing on the proposed tax and preliminary general fund revenues. The emergency declaration was approved by council resolution after staff reported the nitrogen removal system's performance shortfall, which speeds up procurement steps but did not approve a contract or spending.

Pasco City Council approved the 1% property tax increase and the emergency resolution on November 3, 2026.

Macro View

Pasco's tax increase arrives as neighboring Richland considers a recommended 8% regular levy increase projected to generate $1,762,183 in 2027. Both cities are weighing rising costs against household tax burdens in the same regional economy.

Pasco residents will see a 1% property tax increase, which works out to $5.55 more for a $500,000 home compared with no action. The added revenue is intended to offset rising costs, though the extraction does not detail how it will be spent.

The takeaway

Local property tax changes are often small per household but add up across a city budget, so checking how new revenue is allocated is worthwhile. Residents can follow council meetings to see which services the added funds support.

What happens next

Richland City Council is scheduled to take up the city's 2027 budget and property tax measures on November 3, 2026, including a proposed budget of $351,981,310.