Renton holds mid‑biennium budget public hearing; staff outlines levy estimate and next steps

The Renton City Council held the first of two public hearings on the mid‑biennium budget adjustment, during which Finance Administrator Carrie Roper reviewed the purpose, schedule and preliminary figures and invited public comment.

Roper said the mid‑biennium review checks year‑to‑date revenues and sets the property tax levy for the coming year. "We are estimating it to be $26,600,000," she told the meeting, noting that final levy figures will depend on King County's certified values. Roper outlined proposed general fund revenue adjustments (staff read a figure approximated in the presentation) and proposed expenditure adjustments, and said fee schedule changes and capital fund adjustments across parks, transportation, airport and surface water funds would be analyzed as part of the process.

Council received several public comments during the hearing. Speakers raised concerns about public safety downtown, policing and prosecutorial decisions; a resident proposed that the soon‑to‑be‑vacant Fire Station 16 site be repurposed for a community park and center; and community partners thanked the city for distribution of air purifiers funded through the Climate Commitment Act.

After the public comment period, Council Member Halloran moved to close the public hearing; Council Member McGurvin seconded and the motion carried. Roper said the council will hold a second public hearing next Monday and proceed with ordinance readings in October as part of the budget ordinance schedule.