The Pierce County Council on Aug. 5 adopted Resolution R2025-181, asking the Pierce County Executive to incorporate the council’s preliminary 2026–27 biennial budget priorities into the executive’s proposed budget. The motion was moved by Council member Ayala and approved by roll call, 6 ayes, 0 nays.

Exhibit A to the resolution lists “primary investments” and “potential investments” across seven strategic areas including housing and homelessness, public safety, economic growth and infrastructure, environment and climate, and community building. Council staff principal policy analyst Paul Bokey told members the resolution is intended as a steering mechanism that narrows a much larger list of ideas into priorities the council expects the executive to consider during budget development.

Bokey explained that the package directs the executive to preserve core county functions, safeguard the long‑term health of the general fund, conduct a comprehensive review of service fees, and limit the use of general fund balance for nonrecurring expenditures. On fees, he said high inflation and increased operating costs have eroded cost recovery for many user fees—examples include parks fees, auditor services and building permit fees tied to the building and development fund—and asked the executive to provide financial justifications for any fee increases and indicate how hardship cases would be handled.

Council members debated emphasis and scope. Vice Chair Herrera and Council Member Ayala described the resolution as a steering tool to reduce later disputes over amendments; Herrera stressed preserving core functions, while Council Member Kuber said she wanted stronger focus on revenue generation and economic prosperity alongside spending priorities. Council Member Yambe flagged constraints on county access to some state funding and urged continued attention to court and jail funding if the county increases law‑enforcement investments.

Public commenters addressed items listed in the resolution. Speakers representing food banks and networks urged the council to keep food distribution and anti‑hunger investments as priorities amid expected reductions in federal food assistance and a pending grocery store closure in Tacoma’s South End. Andrea Blue, president and CEO of Eloise Cooking Pot Food Bank, and Claire Eichen of Emergent Seafood Network described rising demand and falling donations; Byron Allen of IBEW Local 483 and board member of the Pierce County Emergency Food Network echoed those concerns. A public commenter suggested small, movable “tiny houses” or trailer‑based units as one option for housing on county‑owned land in Frederickson.

The clerk called the roll after public comment. The recorded votes were: Council Member Iambe—aye; Council Member Denson—aye; Council Member Herrera—aye; Council Member Kuver—aye; Council Member Ayala—aye; Council Member Yambe—aye; Council Chair Hitchin—aye. The clerk announced 6 ayes and 0 nays and the resolution was adopted.

The council directed staff to transmit the resolution to the executive’s office and to continue committee and public outreach during budget development.