Property owners will soon be paying more in taxes if the City Council moves forward with the city’s recommendation.

City officials were scheduled to propose an increased property tax levy for 2010 to the Council on Monday, Nov. 16.

If approved, the levy would cause property owners’ taxes to increase from $0.97 per $1,000 of assessed value to $1.04 per $1,000.

The city is also proposing a $0.41 per $1,000 emergency management services rate in 2010.

If approved, the new rates mean that an owner of a $300,000 home would pay approximately $435 in property tax during 2010.

The levy would increase the city’s property tax levy rate by 1 percent, which is the maximum percentage that Arlington officials can add each year according to Washington state law.

According to a memo from the city’s finance and executive department, the proposed levy increase is based on substantial need by the city.

“We know every increase is really tough,” said city of Arlington spokeswoman Kristin Banfield. “We tried to do this as a last resort to help us balance the budget.”

The higher levy tax, paired with city tax revenue collected from new construction and annexations, would increase tax collection by more than $74,000 over 2009, according to city documents.

Property tax levy rates are set each year by the City Council. Rates must be set by a majority plus one no later than Nov. 30.

Arlington’s proposed property tax rate of $1.04 per $1,000 of assessed value ranks 17th among Snohomish County cities and municipalities.

The city of Everett, ranked No. 1, charges $2.19 per $1,000, followed by Stanwood ($2.19 per thousand), Marysville ($1.87 per thousand) and unincorporated Snohomish County ($1.13), according to Arlington city documents.

The Council held a public hearing on Nov. 2 for the property tax increase.