News Flash

The City of Mukilteo invites families and community members to celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year – “The Year of the Horse” on Thursday, February 12, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Rosehill Community Center.

Sponsored by the Korean Community Service Center, this free, family-friendly event offers a festive evening of cultural learning and engagement. Attendees can enjoy ethnic food, explore informational and activity booths hosted by the City, local school PTAs and PTOs, state agencies, nonprofits, community organizations, and local businesses, and experience traditional dance performances.

Join the Mukilteo community in welcoming the Lunar New Year together!

Parking:

Free parking will be available in the lower parking lot at the Rosehill Community Center, as well as along surrounding streets.

The City of Mukilteo is informing customers that Surface Water Utility rates increased on January 1, 2026, from $36.32 to $45.21 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). The surface water utility fee is billed every two months and appears on your Mukilteo Water and Wastewater bill as “City storm water,” with a separate 6% tax listed as “City storm water tax.”

Surface water rates are based on Equivalent Residential Units (ERUs), where one ERU equals 2,500 square feet of hard surface area such as roofs, driveways, parking lots, and walkways. Single-family and duplex residential properties are billed for one ERU, regardless of hard surface area. Commercial, multifamily, and other non-residential properties are billed based on the actual square footage of hard surfaces on the site.

The rate increase is based on a 2023 rate study, included in the City’s 2024–2030 Comprehensive Surface Water Management Plan, and presented to City Council in March 2024. Over the next several years, the additional revenue will support new maintenance and administrative staff, improved upkeep of surface water facilities, replacement of aging infrastructure, and compliance with the City’s Phase II NPDES stormwater permit under the federal Clean Water Act.

The Surface Water Utility is a stand-alone service responsible for managing Mukilteo’s drainage system, including storm drains, pipes, ditches, detention ponds, and catch basins. Fees collected are used exclusively for surface water services, such as flood prevention, pollution control, infrastructure maintenance, and protecting local streams and the Puget Sound.

Some customers may notice that their first bill of the year does not appear to add up at first glance. This is due to the Mukilteo Water and Wastewater District’s two-month billing cycles. January bills may reflect both the December 2025 rate and the new January 2026 rate combined, while February bills reflect two months at the new rate. For example, a single-family residential customer billed in February 2026 would see a total of $90.42.

Financial assistance is available. Qualifying low-income senior citizens and low-income disabled residents may receive a 50% discount on the residential rate. Applications can be submitted to Mukilteo City Hall or emailed to mmcentire@mukilteowa.gov. For help, call 425-265-8028.

Residents interested in future surface water issues or involvement can contact the City at 425-263-8170.

(News Release via Waste Management)

Effective January 1, 2026, customers in Snohomish County will see rates increase on their WM bills beyond what is on a usual bill.Snohomish County has increased disposal fees at all facilities for the first time in 10+ years where WM disposes of garbage. We are required by the county to utilize their facilities for garbage disposal. This means costs for WM customers will also increase.For information about Snohomish County services, visit the Snohomish County website at snohomishcountywa.gov/6739/Fee-Changes-2026.

Mukilteo is now accepting applications for the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Center for Quality Communities (CQC) scholarship. The scholarship is available through a statewide competitive process for high school seniors who are active in leadership in their city government, community, or school and plan to pursue college or trade school in fall 2026.

The CQC is awarding four $3,000 scholarships in 2026. Scholarship recipients will also receive a travel stipend to attend AWC’s Annual Conference in Spokane in June 2026.

To be eligible, a student must be:

•    A Mukilteo resident;

•    Graduating from high school, completing homeschooling, or receiving a GED in spring/summer 2026;

•    Planning to continue their education at an accredited college or trade school in the 2026-2027 academic year on at least a half-time basis; and

•    Active in leadership in their city government, community, or school.

Information and application materials can be found on the CQC website (Scholarships). Completed applications are due to the City no later than January 2nd.

Submit completed application and materials to: execadmin@mukilteowa.gov.

The AWC Center for Quality Communities is a 501(c)(3) partner with the nonprofit Association of Washington Cities. The Center’s goal is to help residents understand the important role cities and towns play in Washington. The Center promotes municipal leadership development and civic engagement and works to support students who demonstrate community leadership and commitment to their city. We believe in growing leaders and healthy, resilient quality communities.

(News Release via Washington State Ferries)

We will begin in-water work at the Mukilteo ferry terminal in January 2026 to repair and reposition a key ferry landing structure. The work requires shutting down ferry service during midday for four hours over nine days and will affect overnight schedules in January and February.

Midday schedule changes

Jan. 6, 8, 9, 13, 16 and Feb. 3, 4, 6, 9, ferry service will pause from:

• 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Clinton
• 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Mukilteo

Late-night schedule changes

Jan. 19-23, 26-30 and Fe. 16-20, overnight sailings will be adjusted:

• Last sailing from Clinton: 11:30 p.m.
• Last sailing from Mukilteo: 12:15 a.m. 

If dates change due to weather or other unexpected reasons, WSF will share alternate dates in the online schedule, through rider alerts and on X and Bluesky. 

On-board drop in sessions

WSF staff will hold two drop-in sessions to answer your questions about this project. Join us in the Galley on these dates.

• Dec. 18, 2025 – Departing from Clinton: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Dec. 30, 2025 – Departing from Mukilteo: 9: a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Find more details about the schedule in this Travel Alert Bulletin.

The City of Mukilteo is proud to announce the adoption of the USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer assigned to Naval Station Everett. On September 2, Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine proclaimed the adoption of the USS John Paul Jones, crew and families, in partnership with the Mukilteo Kiwanis, the South Everett Mukilteo Rotary Club, and the Mukilteo Chamber of Commerce–strengthening ties between the Mukilteo community and the Navy members and their families. 

“By adopting the USS John Paul Jones, we are deepening our commitment to our veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families by helping them feel at home in our community,” said Mayor Marine.

Through this partnership, the City of Mukilteo, Mukilteo Kiwanis, South Everett Mukilteo Rotary, and the Mukilteo Chamber of Commerce will participate in events designed to welcome sailors into the community, recognize their service, and strengthen the bond between military personnel and residents.

Mukilteo is proud to join a tradition of cities across the country adopting Navy ships to build bridges between service members and the communities they serve.

Join us for our quarterly community engagement chat hosted by the Mukilteo City Council!

These engaging discussions will take place at the Rosehill Community Center (304 Lincoln Avenue) in the Rosehill Room in March and September and at the Mukilteo Library (4675 Harbour Pointe Boulevard) in the Meeting Room in June and December. Whether you're a longtime resident or new to the area, we invite you to join us for an hour of open dialogue about any City topics. Let's come together to shape the future of our City!

For questions, please reach out to Council President Tom Jordal at tjordal@mukilteowa.gov.