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Shelton releases proposed 2026 budget; council forwards plan to Nov. 18 for final action
Summary
City staff presented a proposed 2026 budget totaling about $37.5 million (all funds) and a general fund near $17 million, using $1.1 million of unreserved fund balance. The proposal includes one new police patrol FTE, vehicle replacements, IT investments, and continued funding for mobile integrated health positions depending on grant outcomes.
City staff presented the proposed 2026 budget at the Nov. 4 City Council meeting and the council voted to forward the proposal to the Nov. 18 action agenda for further consideration and public hearing.
The all-funds 2026 budget presented totals approximately $37.5 million, with the general fund proposed at roughly $16.9–$17.0 million. Interim finance director Terry Schnitzer told council that the city plans to use about $1.1 million of unreserved fund balance to balance the 2026 spending plan and maintain service levels. Key additions in the proposed budget include one police patrol officer position, two replacement police vehicles, investments in information-technology and cybersecurity, and ongoing funding related to the mobile integrated health program (partially grant-funded). Schnitzer also said public-defense and prosecutor services budgets include planned increases.
Schnitzer emphasized long-term sustainability concerns, noting the proposal holds staff levels close to 2025 and that some previously discussed positions (HR analyst, public-works admin assistant, police lieutenant) were not included because employing them long-term would quickly deplete unreserved balances. The city manager and finance staff said the council directed use of $1.1 million in fund balance on top of the statutory 20% reserve to allow the city to maintain projects and service levels into 2027.
Council discussion touched on transportation- and streets-funding tradeoffs, use of real-estate excise tax to replace some general-fund transfers, and a continuation of capital investments in water and streets. Public-works and utilities directors later outlined specific capital projects and vehicle replacements that support the budget (see separate item on reclaimed-water tank and water-reservoir planning).
What council voted: The council moved to forward the proposed 2026 budget ordinance (Ordinance No. 2035-1025) to the Nov. 18 action agenda for further consideration and adoption. Staff will present the ordinance and budget documents at the Nov. 18 meeting and accept public comment at that hearing.
Why it matters: The budget determines 2026 staffing, capital projects and service levels. The proposed plan preserves public-safety investments while using a one-time portion of fund balance to maintain operations and capital work in 2026; staff cautioned that ongoing reliance on fund balance is not a long-term solution and recommended incremental steps to restore long-term reserves.
