Council accepts Department of Ecology solid-waste grant; city match funded across two years

The Arlington City Council accepted a Solid Waste Financial Assistance grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology to support the city—s solid-waste and recycling education and outreach programs.

Jim Kelly told council the city received a grant (discussed in the packet as $20,217.71) and that the city had budgeted $18,000 for 2025. Staff explained the match requirement is $5,054.43 and that the match will be accounted for over two years (2025 and 2026). "We received a grant, in the amount of 18,000, and of that, $5,054 has been budgeted out of, the city's efforts, to go towards a match for that grant," Kelly said; later staff clarified the full grant amount noted in the packet was $20,217.71 and that the budgeted revenue for 2025 was $18,000 with the remainder accounted for in the 2026 cycle.

Council moved and approved acceptance of the Department of Ecology grant and authorized the mayor to sign the grant agreement pending final city-attorney review.

Clarifying details: staff confirmed the grant supports outreach to businesses, the hospital and the Arlington School District, assists development of green teams and composting education, and that the city historically receives and uses this grant. The city will account for the full grant amount across fiscal years 2025-2027 as noted in the grant-acceptance motion.

Next steps: execute the grant agreement after city-attorney review and apply grant funds to the city—s recycling and composting outreach programs per the grant terms.