Puyallup finance director outlines mid‑biennium budget adjustments, Tier 3 transfers and levy estimate

Puyallup Finance Director Barbara Lopez told the City Council on Oct. 8 that the city is proposing a set of mid‑biennium adjustments to the 2026 biennial budget, including moving restricted transportation benefit district activity out of the general fund, transferring excess reserves to a Tier 3 spending fund and applying ARPA interest earnings to one‑time projects.

Lopez, who identified herself as the city’s finance director, said the review is required by state law and is intended to respond to “any new information that’s out there since budget adoption.” She summarized the proposed changes as labor matrix adjustments for salaries and benefits, moving transportation benefit district revenues to a special revenue fund, Tier 3 reserve transfers and updates to LTAC (lodging tax) allocations and…