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Finance, parks and development committees flag budget pressure, Eaglemont and downtown planning
Summary
Committee reports presented March 26 to the Mount Vernon City Council showed the city’s fiscal investments, warned of a possible multi‑million‑dollar 2026 budget shortfall and summarized development planning updates on Eaglemont, Blackburn Waugh Road and a downtown EIS.
At the council’s March 26 meeting committee chairs reported on finance, parks and development items that the council will consider in upcoming months.
Finance and parks. Council member Gary (last name not specified in the record) reported the city’s investment balance for the year ending 2024 at $34,900,000, with roughly $29,000,000 in long‑term investments and the remainder in short‑term vehicles and cash. The committee discussed the Skagit County jail funding arrangement and said the city’s contribution must increase by about $84,000 to maintain required fund balances; staff warned the fund balance could fall below required levels in 2026. The committee also noted preliminary 2026 budget planning and the possibility of a $4,000,000 to $5,000,000 budget shortfall.
The committee discussed a front‑load commercial solid‑waste truck where immediate purchase (if ordered now) would cost $4,471,000 and could shorten production lead time by 9–12 months. Parks and Recreation staff briefed the committee on spring/summer programming, volunteer opportunities and a planned mural under the Hogue Road/I‑5 overpass.
Development services. Council member Melissa Beaton reported an uptick in permitting and staffing gaps (four open positions and two upcoming retirements). She reviewed long‑running development matters: Eaglemont (a 670‑acre RA‑zoned area with a PUD overlay), the long‑planned Blackburn Waugh Road extension (the city is exploring a 30% preliminary design to gauge feasibility and costs), and Hidden Lakes (about 176 acres zoned R‑1 that was logged after purchase and subject to a Department of Natural Resources moratorium that is expiring next month). The committee also described plans for a downtown Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) planned for 2026 (estimated cost about $200,000) to catalyze downtown development and streamline zoning.
Other notes. The committee said the city will invite two dike districts to brief the council on the status of dike infrastructure; staff also reported adding a nurse practitioner position to the fire/IOS team, at an estimated cost of about $50,000 to be funded through local HB 1590 tax funds.
No formal council action was taken on these committee reports at the March 26 meeting; staff and committees will return with more detailed proposals and budget materials.
