Council reauthorizes unspent projects, adopts first 2025–26 budget amendment

Issaquah City Council on April 21 approved the administration's recommendations to reauthorize unspent appropriations from the 2023–24 biennium into 2025–26 and adopted a first budget amendment for the 2025–26 biennium.

Acting Finance Director Jennifer Rain told council the reauthorizations are "not new funds," but rather carry forward previously approved appropriations so multi‑year projects and delayed work can proceed. The council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance formalizing the amendments.

Nut graf: The ordinance continues previously authorized, unspent funds into the current biennium and reallocates limited amounts across funds; the administration said the largest portion of reauthorizations — roughly 75% — affects the capital projects fund, and that reauthorizations would lower projected fund balances by about $30.7 million as carryforward appropriation authority. The specific amendment package increases budgeted revenues by about $522,000, raises expenditures by about $961,000, and produces a net decrease in fund balances of roughly $439,000.

Details and rationale: Rain said department requests were reviewed against defined rationale buckets (multi‑year projects, staffing capacity limits, supply chain delays and other external factors). "The vast majority, about 87%, were tied to multi year projects," she said. The administration listed five amendment requests: Hillside Park improvements, reservoir retrofits at Highwood and West Side, lodging tax advisory committee disbursements, purchase of an electric mower, and facilities fund realignments.

Council questions focused on grant risk and contingency. Council Member Jang and Council President asked how the city would respond if grant reimbursements did not materialize. City Administrator Bob Kowitz said staff are tracking grant risk and would stop or slow spending if external funding becomes unlikely. "If we hear something that indicates that we're not gonna be receiving or there's some question, we will immediately take actions to stop spending," he told council.

Vote and motion: Council Member (mover not specified in recorded line) moved to adopt Ordinance 30 90 amending the 2025–26 budget; the motion carried unanimously, 7‑0. The ordinance formalizes both the reauthorizations and the five budget adjustments submitted by departments.

Ending: The administration said it will continue to monitor grant award status and report back if any projects face material risk; council members asked for continued diligence given recent revenue pressures and prior storm‑related unrecovered costs.