Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City presents department work‑plan updates and mid‑biennial budget changes; utility tax and fee updates highlighted
Summary
City staff briefed council on department work plans, delays, and forthcoming budget amendments and adjustments tied to the mid‑biennial review. Staff flagged revenue and schedule changes, ERP implementation progress, the new utility tax, and upcoming public hearings on budget items and fee schedule updates.
City staff used the Oct. 7 meeting to begin a mid‑biennial work‑plan and budget update that will feed a formal round of budget amendments and adjustments to be presented in November. Managers summarized progress on major projects, scheduling changes and the financial items staff will bring forward for council action.
Scope and purpose
City Manager Scott (for the record identified as city manager) told council the update focuses on larger work‑plan items rather than routine operations and is intended to surface schedule shifts and budget consequences ahead of formal amendment hearings. “These are gonna be the bigger items in the work plan,” he said, explaining the review will support the mid‑biennial budget process and identify amendments versus adjustments.
Key financial framing
Vicki Carlson, finance director, explained the distinction staff will use when bringing items forward: amendments change a fund’s total balance and are legally required (example: new utility tax revenue), while adjustments do not change the bottom line and are presented for transparency (example: shifting a project between years). Carlson said the city will track major adjustments and will bring amendments and adjustments in November’s hearings; a final wrap‑up amendment is planned for fourth quarter 2026.
ERP, staffing and revenue notes
Finance and IT staff reported the city is on schedule to go live with a new ERP core financial system in January; staff said the system will improve reporting and reduce manual work. Carlson also noted one upcoming amendment will add estimated utility‑tax revenue (implemented by ordinance earlier this year, effective Jan. 1) and that beginning fund balances will be adjusted to reflect current actuals.
Department highlights and schedule changes
Deputy City Manager Rachel Bianchi and department directors summarized work plans: Community Development continues the Town Center plan and code amendments with an adjusted schedule; tree‑regulation updates will wait on the state wildland urban‑interface mapping; Admin Services focused on emergency management coordination and CERT training; and Public Works outlined progress on capital project prioritization and the bike/ped mobility plan.
Budget process next steps and public hearings
Carlson previewed a set of November actions: a public hearing on the mid‑biennial budget amendments and adjustments, CIP updates for 2026–2031, updates to financial policies, and a resolution updating the city’s fee schedule (which will include Eastside Fire and Rescue’s proposed fire fee changes). Staff asked for council questions and said they will post supporting materials before the November hearings.
Ending
Council asked clarifying questions about staffing vacancies, the ERP schedule, how the utility tax will be tracked, and timing for fee changes. Staff committed to earlier packet postings and to bringing detailed cost and revenue material in advance of the Nov. 5 public hearing schedule.
