Richland Mayor Teresa Richardson and the City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 2025‑33 on Nov. 4, advancing the city’s balanced 2026 budget and the 2026–2031 Capital Improvement Plan to the next hearing.

Finance Director Brandon Allen told the council the budget is “balanced for ’26, with total appropriations just under $335,000,000,” a roughly 6.5% decrease from last year driven in part by the winding down of several large capital projects. Allen said the proposal includes seven new full‑time positions, and general fund appropriations of about $82.5 million.

The proposed CIP lists 43 projects totaling approximately $49.5 million for 2026. Allen said the city adjusted revenues and transfers to reflect a 0.1% sales tax within the Richland Transportation Benefit District to fund pavement preservation and the repeal of a $20 vehicle license fee effective April 1, 2026, and that sales‑tax growth from new retail (including the recent Costco opening) was budgeted conservatively to offset Motorola radio project debt service.

Council members questioned assumptions about snow‑and‑ice budgeting, staffing, and long‑term capital needs such as a future police station. Allen and staff said they had preserved policy guardrails, would continue a classification and compensation study, and planned to monitor revenues in the coming quarters before final adoption.

Council member Meyer moved to approve the ordinance on first reading; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call vote with all members recorded in the affirmative.

Next steps: the council will hold at least one more public hearing (second reading and adoption) on Nov. 18 where any substantive changes would be presented before final transmittal to the county.