Lewiston council advances budget amendments, holds first readings for 2026 appropriations and tax ordinances

The Lewiston City Council on Aug. 11 advanced the first readings of three budget-related ordinances and heard public testimony on both the current-year budget amendments and the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget.

City Treasurer Amy Gordon told the council the amendments to the current 2025 budget would recognize unanticipated revenues and appropriate them for planned expenditures. "Included in the amendments for this year is one that's regarding airport improvements," Gordon said, explaining the city's accounting entry for joint airport capital work. She also highlighted other amendments including workers' compensation reimbursements, excess hauling in sanitation, and use of ARPA interest earnings for a downtown water transmission main replacement project.

The amendments presented to the council would add roughly $11.1 million in revenues and appropriations; Gordon and the meeting record used two close figures during the session—the staff presentation referred to $11,103,240 while the ordinance text read at first reading cited $11,103,220.

Why it matters: Council members said the changes and the proposed 2026 budget reflect multiyear capital projects, higher personnel costs and insurance increases that the city must account for now. Gordon told the council she planned to return Aug. 18 for a budget-only meeting so members could focus on any amendments before final readings.

Most important developments

- First reading approved: Ordinance No. 49-52, amending the city's 2024-25 appropriation ordinance to recognize and appropriate the identified unanticipated revenues (first reading passed by voice vote). - First reading approved: Ordinance No. 49-50, the 2026 annual appropriation ordinance (first reading passed by voice vote). - First reading approved: Ordinance No. 49-51, fixing and establishing the tax certification for fiscal 2026 (first reading passed by voice vote).

Council discussion and public testimony

Gordon summarized drivers of the 2026 proposal, noting a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment in personnel costs, a modest health insurance premium increase and a decline in PERSI rates. "We did the best we could at estimating how much funds we would have available," she said of ARPA interest earnings proposed to support the downtown water transmission main replacement.

Councilor Speickelmeyer asked whether any of the amendments were funded by new property tax levies; Gordon replied, "No. We won't be able to do that. Once you levy your taxes, you've levied them. You can't levy additional taxes."

During public testimony, Nez Perce County Commissioner Doug Havens urged councilors to examine urban renewal agency (URA) spending and said the taxing entities should discuss returning excess funds to taxing districts. "When you're looking for funding, I don't hear much talk here ... the money that urban renewal diverts from the taxing entities and uses towards projects," Havens said.

Process and next steps

Gordon said the council will hold a second reading and dedicated budget session on Aug. 18 and a third reading with adoption afterward. She noted the city will likely need at least one additional amendment early in the next fiscal year to finalize ARPA interest earnings estimates when actual interest posted and project timing completes.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 49-52 (first reading): Moved and approved on first reading; motion carried by voice vote. (Text in packet; staff presentation referenced $11,103,240; ordinance title read $11,103,220.) - Ordinance 49-50 (first reading): Moved and approved on first reading; motion carried by voice vote. - Ordinance 49-51 (first reading): Moved and approved on first reading; motion carried by voice vote.

Ending

Councilors and staff agreed to a budget-only meeting on Aug. 18 to continue review and consider amendments before the final reading. Gordon asked members and the public to send written comments on the proposed documents, which are available on the city's website.