Kirkland council approves 2025 mid‑year budget adjustments recognizing carryovers, grants and staffing changes

KIRKLAND, Wash. — The Kirkland City Council on June 17 adopted Ordinance O‑4908, the 2025 mid‑year budget adjustments, approving appropriation changes that recognize 2024 carryovers, incoming grants and several position changes.

Financial Planning Manager Kevin Pellstream presented the package. He said the adjustment set increases appropriations across funds by roughly $32.8 million on paper but explained most changes reflect carryovers and interfund transfers rather than new net spending. New external resources accounted for approximately $1.4 million (grants and other new revenue). The largest item recognized in the mid‑year was about $2.4 million from partner cities for pooled human‑services grants that Kirkland will administer in 2025.

Key items added or recognized in the adjustment ordinance include: city council‑directed fiscal notes (including additional engineering funds for school‑zone safety camera work and a 1‑time council community engagement coordinator LTE), grant funding for Ecology stormwater analysis, and capital carryovers for ongoing projects and fleet purchases. The adjustment also added four authorized FTEs (two police overhires to help recruitment and two maintenance overhires covering street and utility funds), and several one‑time operating items such as a Kirkland CARES coordinator in the utility discount program and a short‑term customer accounts associate to improve large‑employer business‑license compliance.

Outcome: Ordinance O‑4908 passed on a 6–0 voice/roll‑call vote.

Ending: City staff will implement the changed appropriations, return to council with follow‑up items as needed and monitor budget risks flagged in the presentation (notably, health‑benefits and water/sewer revenue trends noted in the report).