Burien Ballots to Include Proposition No. 1, a Community-Informed Measure to Fund Public Safety
Burien voters will have an opportunity to decide on funding public safety in Burien on their November 2025 general election ballot.
The City of Burien is proposing this levy to address rising public safety costs averaging 5 to 8 percent annually, while property tax revenues only increase by one percent annually. The City will be unable to sustain current service levels or address growing public safety needs without additional funding.
To best align with community priorities, the "Levy Lid Lift for Public Safety" measure (City of Burien Proposition No. 1) was developed after more than two years of community engagement, research and planning by City staff, and presentations to the Burien City Council.
The Burien City Council unanimously passed Ordinance 874, approving the ballot language for the measure on July 14, 2025. The three priorities identified by the community are exactly what is reflected on the ballot:
- Preserve and expand police co-response model to address homelessness, mental health crisis, and public use of drugs
- Maintain the current level of police staffing and hiring additional police officers to support co-response teams, increase patrols throughout the city, and support community crime prevention programs
- Create safer streets and sidewalks through improvements to infrastructure and additional street lighting
The initial average levy rate increase is estimated to be approximately $0.79519/$1,000 of assessed property value or, for a home with an assessed value of $596,000, approximately $39.50 per month (or $473.90 per year). Homeowners who are 62 years or older, or disabled and meet low-income requirements, may qualify for a property tax exemption as described in RCW 84.36.381.
On August 25, 2025, King County Elections certified the ballot title and issued an Order of Election, finding that the City of Burien had met all requirements to proceed. Burien voters will find the measure on their general election ballots, which will be mailed on October 15, 2025. Ballots must be postmarked by November 4 or returned to a ballot drop box no later than 8 p.m. on November 4. More information about voting can be found on the King County Elections website.