Council members urge restoring youth employment funding after proposed cut from draft budget

Council members pressed budget staff after the draft 2026 budget showed a reduction or removal of a youth employment/youth services line that had funded summer work and mentorship programs for local youth. Several council members described the previous summer’s program—hiring 42 youth for park and summer work—and urged restoration of at least a portion of the funding.

One council member told the committee the city had previously allocated $150,000 plus an additional $108,000 to support the program and asked staff to report year‑to‑date spending and remaining balances. “I do hope that we are able to get back that funding,” the council member said during the discussion, urging staff to confirm how much of the $108,000 (an amended allocation from last year) remained available.

Staff response and interagency options: Finance and staff noted some funding streams are in grants or subject to conditions; the department said it would check balances and availability. Council members suggested exploring partnerships with the school district, county and nonprofit organizations to spread supervision and increase capacity if the city could not fully restore prior funding levels.

Implications: Council members framed youth employment as prevention and community investment and asked finance staff to return with a clear accounting of the prior allocations and any remaining funds that could be redirected. The committee did not adopt a formal decision on restoration but logged follow‑ups.

Ending: Staff agreed to provide a fiscal accounting of the prior allocations (the $150,000 and subsequent amendment) and a year‑to‑date spending report; the committee will revisit the youth employment line during continued budget negotiations.