[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6233287,"mediaKeyId","3423639-309b3757d51003559d5023637dffb508","parentId",3423639,"title","Finance director seeks $22.8M public works carryforward and flags $1.5M in one‑time funds","audioSeconds",3351,"startMs",5062000,"endMs",8413000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423639-309b3757d51003559d5023637dffb508&start=5062&end=8413","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423639-309b3757d51003559d5023637dffb508/thumbnail_5062000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6233287/University-Place/Pierce-County/Washington/Finance-director-seeks-228M-public-works-carryforward-and-flags-15M-in-onetime-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233287-d3f0b62dd610ece7dcbd15c7d6b20165/orig.mp4?Expires=1775546041&Signature=Nk5Fe3ZcQUJLJedxUvUTq2QjtA8cg4718BeUYNAy321TM7I2BRgAk0ciQSDvB-EBGfFpUk49AdAzreKmkUMyJLVF-UaAr3Ampoy7KEICLicrTdJ0aD-4al6hJJmGta22n43plCa8ETkAsM27DeUE0c50YBtfdYFVa6eUl38kYy0eGGN4tkI08zKrtEe6hhCuSThen6nBcDPB6QEXVdmrE0PcBXt8XZjgUa06Oz6kMjl74TUpA6pTvkvvnN4kXjt86cW3i56GXCogBYQNgDf1JnSlajB~5oOn90qLLrhqhzxWuDpEmQO4Fo9j6IR7Ww1f0QGh~D5AuH9pIdX~13tB-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","University Place, WA","date","2025-05-21T12:10:01.37Z","article","Leslie Blaisdale, University Place finance director, presented the city’s annual carryforward and supplemental budget adjustments at the May 19 council meeting, asking council to carry forward previously budgeted but unspent project funds into 2025 and to consider several new expenditure requests.

\"I'm here to talk about the, budget carry forward adjustment,\" Blaisdale said, explaining that the largest carryforward is $22,800,000 in the public works CIP. She said parks CIP carryforwards total $1,276,000 and municipal CIP carryforwards total $664,000, which include completion of public workshop improvements (restroom and shop expansion) and tenant improvements for a new first‑floor tenant. Blaisdale also said ARPA/remaining projects total roughly $6,300,000 being carried forward.

Blaisdale listed other carryforwards and requests by fund: the street fund requested $142,000 for maintenance; the police/public safety fund carried forward about $196,000 (including a $72,000 overtime carryforward); the swim fund carried forward about $2,400,000 to cover swim CIP projects and equipment (including a recently received Vactor truck); IT requested $857,000 for projects; and the donations fund carried forward about $23,000.

The meeting included questions and pushback on new items. Staff proposed replacing an existing contracted content creator ($37,500) with a 0.8 FTE communications specialist; Blaisdale said the 0.8 FTE is estimated at about $85,000 total (salary and benefits) for 2025, leaving an ongoing net increase compared with the contract. Council members asked for a detailed job description before final approval. Council member Fleming said, \"I'd still support it,\" but several members asked that the council be given additional documentation before action.

Council members also discussed a late IT request to add $150,000 for expanded cybersecurity monitoring; Blaisdale said the request arrived over the weekend and had not been included in the original carryforward packet. She recommended the council consider banking one‑time funds rather than spending them immediately. \"The one‑time monies available is $1,500,000 in this, current forecast,\" she said, noting the council could appropriate those funds but that retaining a reserve would help with near‑term debt obligations and economic uncertainty.

Blaisdale closed with a long‑range forecast showing the city’s general fund dipping in 2026 after a planned debt payoff and then rebuilding thereafter; she stressed the budget as presented keeps the strategic reserve at 15 percent. The council set a public hearing and final action for the next council meeting to allow members to review job descriptions and additional documentation.

Ending: Councilmembers asked for more detail on the requested communications FTE, on the cybersecurity proposal, and on options to close the Chambers Creek roundabout funding gap discussed earlier; staff will return with a public hearing and an opportunity for formal approval at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hybrid U.P. City Council Meeting, May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Leslie Blaisdale, finance director, presented the City Council with a proposed budget carryforward package that would move previously budgeted but unspent project funds into 2025 and add several new expenditure requests, including a 0.8 FTE communications specialist and a $150,000 cybersecurity proposal.","taxTitle","University Place, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",51958,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233294,"University Place outlines $40M-plus capital program; roundabout still needs $300,000",1099,2528000,3627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423639-309b3757d51003559d5023637dffb508&start=2528&end=3627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423639-309b3757d51003559d5023637dffb508/thumbnail_2528000.jpg","/articles/6233294/University-Place/Pierce-County/Washington/University-Place-outlines-40M-plus-capital-program-roundabout-still-needs-300000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233294-0271d2489a7da368a0ccf9a4b5f931a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775546041&Signature=A6lU34v0SklmIbhSV4Mc2TOfh47uo3~ecptNMaM8NuuZoeIbJmjvMhPX9tC0qSMwKBbyFo1ZODRgnTYlEqjy04VnlQV-DkanjSloWMVSEPy9OmCumlcb2woK9NQby-E0ScWr2UOZto1y-U4Wew5O2zPpK0NkP5fk4PUpb9t86uXN8~6EonYe2bbshhxyTR3~~bu0EIaHvm9x3MeEzie~cwheR9pJB4lYAdbr2d1iB~KyKKzzHDb3IkvP-dgUN6HrTtCJ4u~8o6qDpkhzSF6LpQSEy4B26nidwAlfcf9AIwI~nZCWF8jwWhHdc3OOUn0-3VBEUe16xfDIGJomg6KYOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jack Hecklin, University Place public works director, told the City Council on May 19 that the city will manage 16 active construction projects in 2025 and another 11 projects in design, funded primarily with federal and state grants and smaller local contributions.

\"Overall, in '25, we will be working on 16 active construction projects. And in addition, we have 11 projects that will be under designer planning stages in 2025,\" Hecklin said, adding that the current program includes \"a little over $500,000 of Pierce County money, over $6,000,000 from the state, and over $26,000,000 from the federal government,\" and that the city portion is roughly 20 percent.

The update front‑loaded projects closest to completion. Hecklin said 67 Phase 2 is about 90 percent finished, with energizing of new power cabinets expected in late July or early August so street lights and irrigation can be powered. He described 30 Fifth Phase 2 as about half done with anticipated completion around September and said work on a nearby sewer segment at 60 Seventh was expected to be wrapped up by June.

Hecklin reviewed school‑area safety work in the Safe Routes to School package, which includes brighter LED street lighting, upgraded ADA ramps, a new raised crosswalk near the junior high, and pedestrian‑activated flashing beacons. He also said the inclusive playground project is in its final phases, with paving of the back parking lot and delivery of an ADA family restroom scheduled for October and full completion expected by November.

He identified several other items citywide: a mid‑June start for the 30 Sixth/Grandview roundabout (timed to avoid the heaviest school travel impacts), roughly 11 miles of chip seal work planned for August, storm pond rehabilitation (including the West Hampton pond), paved trailhead parking at Chambers Canyon Trail to triple available spaces, and continued design work on Fortieth Street sidewalks and other 2026–2028 construction projects.

Council members pressed on funding, timelines and coordination with utilities. Council member Fleming asked whether the city is taking steps to reduce future pavement cuts by utilities. Hecklin said the city has \"reimplementing a quarterly meeting with utilities\" and that Tacoma Public Utilities has invested roughly $500,000 to coordinate replacements alongside city projects to avoid later cuts.

Council member Worthington asked about funding for the Chambers Creek roundabout. Hecklin said the city still needs about $300,000 to fully fund construction and that Pierce County's expected contribution remains largely the dedication of right‑of‑way. He said the city must still acquire a parcel from a funeral home; no right‑of‑way is required from the cemetery. \"We do still have, and it'll depend a little bit on what we have coming in and development activity, but that project is on our traffic impact fee project list,\" Hecklin told council members.

Council members also asked about Day Island sewer work and whether sewer or pump‑station upgrades could help leverage support for a bridge replacement; Hecklin said the city has referenced Day Island infrastructure needs in funding justifications but noted the island's relatively good condition can make it harder to qualify for certain funding programs.

No council action or formal vote was taken on the CIP update. Hecklin's presentation was delivered as an informational study session and will inform forthcoming design, construction scheduling and budget carryforward items that the council considered later in the meeting.

Ending: Council members praised the volume of work and the city's grant success while flagging follow‑up needs: finalize a funding plan for the Chambers Creek roundabout, continue coordination with utilities to minimize future pavement cuts, and schedule community outreach for projects that will affect neighborhoods and schools.","Public works director Jack Hecklin told the City Council the city's 2025 capital program includes 16 active construction projects and 11 in design, backed largely by federal and state grants; the Chambers Creek roundabout remains $300,000 short of fully funded construction.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233282,"Council opens review of community grants process; suggests commission study",0,8145000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423639-309b3757d51003559d5023637dffb508&start=8145&end=8145","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423639-309b3757d51003559d5023637dffb508/thumbnail_8145000.jpg","/articles/6233282/University-Place/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-opens-review-of-community-grants-process-suggests-commission-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233282-e4cc211d89643c65b5db4ffa4b62bf1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775546041&Signature=ldmxVzsLq7Z-F6F~rks0UnC93MyRmVVHihB-geKSnIKVt36WRVplg0MpGqPaVYTaT188NILn1duuEna2VgNhXmnNbHmWRaWAQNkoNSFhp7eVa1tYIV0moC0apV0arNJjnhQgLjSaIM8gtADfR1ZY0WZIFI3LzMmnEk1Y5krgpzavT25~NtRzMKozZ2fO7DdcFmNU~2Nw77KCdR-lV5njQL4OTcUh2euWMMS8C0s6NiXMTM0a2ljjqzbsqzrVup4F3NDRQhN~Ua48L99B~EFaplZA1nlLmhkEy65ehZuBRMNQ~VU6X3uKYaXDu5YnzS21pb6rlOs~oxOkNwmPNCNR6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Attorney Matt Kayser told the council May 19 that the city's community grants process dates to 2008 and has run largely on autopilot. He recommended council review key elements: the total appropriation for grants, whether to prioritize \"city partners,\" and how to handle out‑of‑cycle requests.

\"Your current process drives for an open and competitive process, with a number of criterion,\" Kayser said, adding that council could revisit priorities and timelines and decide whether to bake in procedures for out‑of‑cycle requests.

Council members debated several options. Some favored keeping recurring community‑partner awards (Tacit and Crystal Judson) but formalizing them as service contracts rather than automatic grants. Council member McCluskey said, \"To keep it more fair and inclusive, I think there should be an annual cycle review prior to the council adopting the budget,\" and asked that any awardees report back to council on how funds were used.

Council member Boykin recommended limiting the program to nonprofits and keeping awards modest to avoid expanding taxpayer obligations. Council member Worthington suggested treating most awards as short‑term project grants rather than ongoing funding, or else putting recurring awards under multi‑year contracts that require periodic reevaluation.

Multiple council members proposed assigning a commission to study the question and return with recommendations. Mayor Javier Figueroa said he would discuss commissions with his liaisons and return a draft resolution directing a commission or group of commissions to develop recommended changes.

Ending: Council asked staff to prepare a draft resolution that would charter a commission study of the community grants process and to return with a timeline and suggested criteria. No funding changes were adopted at the meeting.","The City Council launched a review of its community grants policy, discussing whether current recurring awards (Tacit, Crystal Judson) should be put on contract, whether the pool should be larger or limited to nonprofits, and whether a commission should craft recommendations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance director seeks $22.8M public works carryforward and flags $1.5M in one‑time funds

University Place outlines $40M-plus capital program; roundabout still needs $300,000

Council opens review of community grants process; suggests commission study