Issaquah reviews first-quarter budget outlook; state OKs $1.4M for bomb-cyclone recovery, council to consider public-safety tax

The Issaquah Committee of the Whole received a first-quarter financial and legislative update on April 28 and directed staff to continue evaluating potential new revenue tools and budget priorities as the council prepares for a July retreat.

Deputy City Administrator Andrea Snyder told council members that year-end 2024 figures are unaudited but show revenues below the revised budget and that the city closed 2024 with lower receipts than forecast, reinforcing the administration’s conservative revenue assumptions for the 2025–26 biennial budget.

Why it matters: Snyder warned that continued uncertainty in federal grants, regional transportation funding and the broader economy could constrain capital and operating plans and increase pressure on reserves.

Key legislative and budget takeaways Snyder reported:

- State assistance for bomb cyclone: the Legislature approved $1,400,000 to help cover the city’s bomb-cyclone recovery costs. Snyder said the award reduces the city’s projected $3.8 million in damages but does not eliminate…