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Council members report on Olympia visits; lakefront park funding uncertain amid tight state budgets
Summary
Council members who met legislators in Olympia reported support for Lake Forest Park priorities but low odds of securing capital funding this session; they also discussed transportation priorities and state proposals to increase local property tax levy limits.
Council members Samra Riddle and Goldman reported March 24 on a series of face‑to‑face meetings in Olympia with the city’s three legislators and the city’s lobbyist to press requests from Lake Forest Park’s legislative agenda.
They said their primary ask was funding for the Lakefront Park construction project; all three legislators expressed general support but cautioned that the state’s tight budget made inclusion of a $1 million capital request unlikely this session. “It’s a very tight budget season. We should not get our hopes up,” council members said reporting legislators’ reactions.
Why it matters: The lakefront park is a multi‑year construction project the city seeks state help to fund. State capital budget decisions affect the timing of major local projects; legislators’ tentative opposition this session means the city may need to pursue funding in future cycles or other funding partners.
Other topics discussed
- Roundabout and SR‑104: Councilors said the roundabout ask did not appear in recent transportation proposals, and the complete‑streets multimodal funding request for SR‑104 was unlikely to be funded as a large capital item this session. Because the state is prioritizing maintenance, councilors said they asked legislators to consider smaller maintenance and preservation investments or partnerships (for example, WSDOT pavement maintenance paired with city‑led pedestrian or crosswalk improvements).
- Local levy limit changes: Council members reported both the Washington House and Senate have proposals to increase the standard local property tax levy limit (now generally 1%); the house proposal ties increases to inflation (up to 3%) and the senate proposal ties increases to inflation plus population growth. Council members indicated state legislators asked for local jurisdiction support on this controversial change and that the council had an email request in the meeting packet about signing on to a letter in support; councilors discussed the timing and implications.
Council response and next steps
Deputy Mayor Bodie and other councilors thanked Riddle and Goldman for the face‑to‑face meetings and suggested continuing outreach outside the legislative session so the city can build stronger relationships in advance of the next budget cycle. No formal council action was taken March 24.
Ending
Riddle and Goldman said they will continue follow‑up with legislators and the city’s lobbyist and will return with updates to the council as the session proceeds.
