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Anacortes council advances 2026 budget draft, debates opioid-settlement use for STAR Center and local programs
Summary
Council opened public hearings on the 2026 operating budget and Capital Facilities Plan, approved a process to finalize the budget Nov. 24, and debated allocating opioid-settlement funds — staff proposed $80,000 toward a school resource officer and $30,000 to the Anacortes Family Center while some council members urged preserving more for the county STAR Center.
Council members opened the public hearing on the city’s 2026 operating budget and capital facilities plan on Nov. 17 and heard multiple public comments before continuing detailed line‑by‑line discussion of revenues and proposed allocations.
Finance Director Steve Hoagland said the draft operating budget rose from $114.8 million (as presented with the mayor’s budget message) to $115.4 million — a $685,000 net increase driven by reclassifications and timing shifts, including a $270,000 roll from 2025 to 2026 in the sewer fund and several grant‑funded capital adjustments. Hoagland reminded council the budget must return on Nov. 24 for final adoption after the public‑hearing process is closed.
Several public commenters…
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