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Tumwater approves 2026 legislative agenda; council authorizes CARES funding and interlocal agreements
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Summary
Council adopted a 2026 legislative agenda seeking $2 million to restore HCP funding and requests for a planned‑action EIS ($550,000) and East Street design ($6 million); Council also authorized AWC ART grant and an FD CARES amendment to fund a full‑time CARES specialist (reimburses $111,001.78 for FY 2025–26).
The Tumwater City Council voted Nov. 18 to adopt its 2026 Washington legislative agenda and approved several grant and interlocal actions tied to the city's CARES and alternative response efforts.
Lobbyists Katie Whittier (CFM Advocates) and Brian Enslow (Arbutus Consulting) presented the council's top funding priorities for the state session: a $2,000,000 request to restore habitat conservation plan (HCP) funding that could enable habitat restoration and future development opportunities; $550,000 for a planned‑action environmental impact statement for the Brewery District; and design funding for an East Street connection, whose full design phase was estimated at about $6,000,000. Whittier and Enslow cautioned the state operating budget outlook is tight but urged moving forward with capital funding requests.
Council then authorized the mayor to sign an Association of Washington Cities (AWC) grant agreement to support the Alternative Response Team and CARES work. Separately the council approved an FD CARES interlocal agreement amendment with the City of Olympia to staff Tumwater's CARES employee 40 hours per week; staff said the grant reimburses $111,001.78 for the state's fiscal year 07/01/2025–2026 and can be extended through 2028 by amendment. Fire department representatives reported CARES specialist Ariana Gomez completed 55 referrals through October and the program contributed to a 50% reduction in some repeat 911 calls.
Council members asked about fiscal prudence and whether Tumwater's strong fiscal position affects legislative reception; lobbyists said fiscal stewardship improves the city's credibility with budget decision‑makers and advised vigilance for budget provisos and capital opportunities.
Next steps: staff will continue outreach with legislators, pursue the capital requests, and implement the interlocal agreements; the CARES position will be staffed to 40 hours pending reimbursement and agreement execution.
