Burien finance forecast shows shortfall by 2027; levy lid lift would create multi‑year surplus if voters approve

Lede: A consultant and city finance staff told the Burien City Council on April 21 that the city’s existing revenue picture — softer sales tax receipts and rising contract and personnel costs — would drive the general fund below the council’s 20% reserve target by 2027 and could produce a negative fund balance by 2028 if no new revenue or expenditure changes are made.

Nut graf: The presentation outlined two scenarios: a base forecast showing persistent shortfalls and a scenario that includes a proposed levy lid lift (doubling the current levy) that, according to the city’s consultant, would produce a multi‑year surplus and add about $2 million in ongoing capacity per year from 2026 through 2030. Council members followed the presentation with questions about timing, impacts to police contracting and how federal/state pressures could affect local receipts.

Body: Robert Hammond of FCS Group presented the six‑year general fund forecast and the updated revenue assumptions, saying that the forecast used…