Anacortes mayor says personnel reductions were necessary to balance 2026 budget; staff and residents warned of impacts

Mayor Miller opened the Nov. 3 meeting by describing staff notifications about eliminated positions and said the decisions were taken to protect the city's financial stability.

"Team COA, as many of you know from my budget message last week, we have taken the very difficult step of notifying some of our colleagues that their positions are being eliminated due to the city's current financial conditions," Mayor Miller told the council and public. He added: "Ultimately, the responsibility for these circumstances rests with me. During my 8 years on city council, I voted for budgets that added positions that caught the end cost that at the time seemed manageable, but have proven unsustainable."

The mayor explained prior budget cycles used remaining cash balances and a one-time FEMA reimbursement to balance the books and that those resources are now depleted. He said staff and departments reviewed where reductions could occur while aiming to "maintain public safety, our critical infrastructure and essential…