Tumwater, Washington Development News

Council Approves Budget Amendment for 2025-2026 Biennium

The City Council held a public hearing for Ordinance 02026-003, the 2025-2026 Budget Amendment Number One. Troy Neee, Finance Director, explained the amendment is necessary for transparency and to catch up on commitments, noting that more frequent amendments (two to three per year) are desired for better fiscal management. For 2025, minor adjustments include cost allocation changes, error corrections, increased ELTAC funding, and additional spending authority for the Tumwater Youth Program due to record participation. The 2025 amendment adds $15,000 in revenue and $62,000 in expenditures across all funds, while the general fund decreases revenue by $10,000 and expenditures by $85,000. For 2026, highlights include authorizing funds for the purchased lodge building, increased fire department costs for apparatus repair and cancer screening, and a change in funding source for the new fire engine to cash payment instead of debt financing. Additional funds are allocated for code enforcement and abatement. The estimated care and maintenance cost for the Gary Oak tree increased significantly from $25,000 to $75,000. Opioid settlement funds will be transferred to the Opioid Abatement Council. The 2026 amendment increases revenues by approximately $1.3 million and expenditures by $5 million across all funds, with general fund increases of $36,000 in revenue and $975,000 in expenditures, primarily for code enforcement and opioid fund transfers. Council members asked clarifying questions about the lodge building's meeting space, the Gary Oak tree work timeline (postponed to November), and the fire engine funding (using reserves from the levy lid lift fund). All significant expenses are noted as one-time occurrences. The motion to forward the item to the July 21st, 2026 meeting for adoption passed unanimously.