The City Council Project Committee approved the FY26 budgets for Everett's Office of Human Services and Council on Aging on June 3 after detailed questioning about staffing, unspent encumbrances and program transfers.

Director Eric Palmer (appearing as "Mr. Palmer" in the hearing) explained that the Human Services salaries line showed lower year-to-date spending because of vacancies and workers' compensation absences, but he said the department expects to spend the budgeted amounts by fiscal year end. "I anticipate that you will spend the entire $3.20?" Council President Martins asked; Palmer replied, "Oh, absolutely," confirming the department anticipates using the requested salary funds.

Councilors asked specifically about a vacant constituent-services aide position on the books; Palmer said the post is not new and that hiring is in progress. Councilors also asked about the ESL (EALC) program and related book and supply orders. Palmer said ordering cycles mean catalogs and bills are often invoiced in advance; purchases were encumbered and expected to clear by the end of the month.

On domestic-violence prevention funding, Councilors asked where 2024 payments had been charged; Palmer said he would confirm the fiscal-2024 accounting, then explained the city had received a contract from a provider (named in the transcript as a contract pending signature) and that spending for fiscal 2025 is expected once signatures are complete. He described the line as a pass-through that the Office of Human Services manages.

Councilors praised the senior meal and delivery programs, noting they began during the COVID pandemic and have continued to serve homebound residents; a councilor called the lunch program "one of the best programs that this city has implemented." Committee members approved the budgets and moved them to the public hearing stage.

What comes next: The budgets proceed to the public hearing and final city-council adoption steps; staff committed to follow up on fiscal-2024 accounting for the domestic-violence line and to provide hiring timelines for vacant positions.