Washington City Council adopts $139.3 million budget, approves several zoning actions and land disposition

WASHINGTON CITY — Washington City Council on June 11 adopted the city's fiscal year 2025–26 budget and approved a package of routine and discretionary items, including zoning changes, a height waiver for a church steeple, disposition of a small parcel and a $50,000 allocation to begin design work on baseball-field improvements.

Budget adoption

The council approved the FY 2025–26 budget on a 4-0 roll call. Finance Director Brian Brown summarized edits made after the May public hearing: a $7,500 allocation to the youth council and a $50,000 “wrap tax” allocation to begin design for baseball-field improvements. Brown said the adopted total is $139,309,389. "The adopted budget would be the $139,000,000, and that's the final step of the budget for the fiscal year '26," Brown said during his presentation.

Council members discussed the performance of city assets while considering the budget. Brown said the golf course has operated at or above cost-recovery in recent years, while the community center covers roughly 60% of its expenses — the council said that meets its operational target. The $50,000 in the current budget is intended to fund planning and design work; council members asked staff to commit not to begin spending design funds until the council has had an on-site visit.

Zoning, height waiver and land disposition

- Height waiver HWD-25-01: The council approved a height waiver for a church planned at approximately 3265 South 300 East, allowing the steeple to reach up to 69 feet. Community Development Assistant Director Eldon Gibb said the request "is in line with previous height waivers" in the city. Motion to approve was made by Councilman Caspersen and seconded by Councilman Ivy; roll call approved the waiver unanimously.

- Zone change Z-25-12 (1410 South Heritage Fields Drive): The council approved an ordinance to rezone 5.11 acres from RA-1 to residential development, convert 1.68 acres to open space and retain 6.91 acres of agricultural use. The Planning Commission reviewed the request and unanimously recommended approval; Councilman Ivy moved to approve and the council voted 4-0.

- Zone change Z-25-15 (181 East 200 North): The council approved changing a parcel from R-16 to AP (a city-initiated zone change for a city-owned parcel). Planning Commission recommended approval; the council voted unanimously.

- Land disposition (4290 South 380 East): Council approved returning a small parcel from city ownership to the developer after staff determined the parcel was mistakenly dedicated to the city on the plat. Staff said the lot was originally intended as part of a detention basin and that Phase 1B detention already provides sufficient capacity. The disposition passed by unanimous vote.

Other business and next steps

Consent agenda items (minutes from May meetings and board audit report) passed on unanimous motion. The council also approved a motion to move into a closed session to discuss pending or potential litigation and the purchase, exchange or lease of property.

Votes at a glance

- HWD-25-01 (height waiver, 3265 S. 300 E.) — Motion: approve; mover: Councilman Caspersen; second: Councilman Ivy; outcome: approved unanimously. - Z-25-12 (1410 S. Heritage Fields Dr.) — Motion: approve ordinance; mover: Councilman Ivy; second: Councilman Coates; outcome: approved unanimously. - Z-25-14 (1902 E. Washington Dam Rd.) — Motion: approve ordinance; mover: Councilman Henderson; second: Councilman Ivy; outcome: approved unanimously. (See separate report for full discussion.) - Z-25-15 (181 E. 200 N.) — Motion: approve ordinance; mover: Councilman Coates; second: not specified in roll; outcome: approved unanimously. - FY 2025–26 budget — Motion: approve ($139,309,389 adopted); mover: Councilman Coates; second: Councilman Henderson; outcome: approved unanimously. Key allocations: $50,000 for baseball-field design planning; $7,500 to youth council. - Land disposition (4290 S. 380 E.) — Motion: approve disposition; mover: Councilman Coates; second: Councilman Caspersen; outcome: approved unanimously. - Consent agenda (minutes and board audit report) — Motion: approve; mover: Councilman Ivy; second: Councilman Coates; outcome: approved unanimously. - Motion to enter closed session (litigation and property) — Motion: approve; mover: Councilman Ivy; second: Councilman Coates; outcome: approved unanimously.