The College Place City Council on Nov. 25 approved the city’s property tax levy for 2026 and heard staff recommendations to raise some utility taxes to stabilize the city’s operating reserves. Council adopted resolution number 25‑059 to set the levy after a final budget hearing, and staff outlined revenue measures for next year.

City presenter Mr. Carlton told the council he recommends a 2% property tax increase that would generate about $66,000 for the city and a utility‑tax rate increase from 10% to 13% that, together with a proposed stormwater utility tax, would add roughly $165,000 to current expense reserves. "That'll generate an additional $165,000 for current expense," Mr. Carlton said, describing the utility tax change as one of the few revenue items the city can control.

The presentation said the combined household impact would be modest in dollar terms despite the percentage changes. Mr. Carlton presented an estimate of about $6.58 per month total impact on a typical single‑family resident, and noted the property‑tax portion for an average College Place home would be about $8.50 annually related to the 2% levy recommendation.

Council members asked detailed questions about reserve levels, drawdowns and the balance between using grants/loans for capital versus protecting operating reserves. Councilmember Espinosa and others pressed staff about whether the drawdown in capital funds leaves the city well positioned in later years; Mr. Carlton replied that many capital projects depend on outside funding and that staff will continue evaluating the timing of projects. "If we don't have the projects, then, a lot of that is capital expenditures that we are planning to do over that time frame," Mr. Carlton said.

Staff recommended no new full‑time positions in 2026 and proposed holding water and wastewater rates steady while relying on the utility tax change and targeted rate adjustments for stormwater and ambulance reserves. Council approved the property levy resolution by voice vote and incorporated the changes into the budget schedule, with final council adoption planned Dec. 9.

The council will review final line‑item adjustments at the Dec. 9 meeting and staff said they will return with any changes needed once 2025 year‑end closeout work is complete.