Washougal reports near break‑even 2024, shifts remaining ARPA funds to Town Center project

Daniel, a city finance presenter, told the Washougal City Council on April 14 that the city’s 2024 finances finished close to budget after accounting for programmed uses of reserves and one‑time items.

The finance presentation said total 2024 revenues were about $19 million and expenditures were roughly $20 million, producing a roughly $1.1 million operating deficit before the programmed use of reserves. Once previously programmed uses of reserves and grant transfers are applied, Daniel said the city finished the year essentially near break‑even and with an ending general fund balance of about $5.6 million.

Daniel emphasized the difference between budgeted uses of reserves and amounts actually transferred: the council had programmed about $2.8 million of reserves for one‑time items (facilities, capital and programmatic uses) but only roughly $1.15 million had been transferred and spent by year‑end. “Only the portions that were spent were transferred,” he said.

Why it matters: council members were focused on structural projections that follow the one‑time uses. Daniel’s long‑range projection showed reserves falling as the city programs ARPA funds and capital projects into…