Council adopts second amendment to 2025–26 biennial budget, uses carryover to restore department requests

Erin Gwyn, finance director, presented the City of West Richland’s second amendment to the 2025–26 biennial budget during the May 6 council meeting. Council passed Ordinance O9‑25 to increase appropriations by $1,033,013, funded primarily from existing ending‑fund balances and carryover.

Gwyn said the amendment restores several items cut from the mayor’s proposed budget last fall and adds a small number of newly requested items. She summarized the major changes and funding sources: “This amendment authorizes an increase in the 25/26 appropriations in the amount of $1,033,013 and an increase with a total budget of $152,746,642.”

Major amendments and funding notes - General Fund increases (total increase to general fund appropriations: $748,000). Restored items include public‑records management software; a temporary part‑time IT position; police supplies; two patrol vehicles; an animal control vehicle; part‑time seasonal staff for a digital file‑scanning project; engineering supplies and professional services (ortho photos); a vehicle for engineering; seasonal parks labor; general‑government professional services (media); a vehicle for general facilities; seasonal police facilities hours; and senior center supplies (combined total identified at $705,000). The amendment also adds $38,000 for a park camera system to mitigate vandalism and $5,000 for professional services to update park and transportation impact‑fee structure per 2023 legislation. - Street Fund increases (total increase: $136,650). Restored items include seasonal street staff hours, repairs on Rupert Road, traffic‑signal supplies and repairs, and a pilot solar‑powered speed‑limit sign on Collins Road. The amendment also budgets $60,000 to purchase a used bucket truck to replace an aging unit that will not be certified after this year. - Other funds: $75,000 in the park‑impact fund for a fence at the Bombing Range Sports Complex to deter vehicle vandalism; $65,363 across 2025–26 in the library fund to cover higher MCL contract costs; and $10,000 in the water/sewer operating fund for impact‑fee professional services.

Council discussion focused on fiscal prudence and the one‑time nature of the funds. Mayor Brent Gary emphasized he intended to spend a limited portion of carryover: “I wasn't gonna spend $1,700,000. I'd spend 750,000 some change, and I put a million dollars in a rainy day fund reserve to hold on in case we need something in the future.” Finance staff and the mayor clarified most of the amendment items are one‑time uses of carryover and are not intended for ongoing personnel obligations.

Council members asked about specific line items, including deferred‑maintenance funding for parks (staff said the amendment increases seasonal labor but does not fully close the parks deferred‑maintenance backlog) and estimated service/contract increases for the library. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the amendment restores capital and operating items deferred in the biennial budget process, addresses several maintenance and equipment needs identified by departments, and sets aside a mayor‑directed reserve to protect the city against future budget pressure.