The finance director summarized October accounts payable and payroll vouchers and presented the monthly financial update to the FedRack committee.

Staff reported about $11 million in October disbursements — with a small number of large construction payments accounting for roughly half of that total — and said payroll totals were lower this month because quarterly payroll tax payments were not processed in the same period. The director said sales tax revenue is unfavorable to budget by about $900,000 (two‑month lag) but remains roughly 2% above the prior year; utility tax showed a favorable variance that helps offset the sales‑tax shortfall.

Councilmembers asked for year‑to‑date revenue-versus‑budget comparisons and an update on farmers market receipts and Taste of Federal Way reconciliation; staff said they would provide the requested detail once final checks are received from the previous market operator. A motion to forward the AP/payroll vouchers and the October monthly financial report to the Jan. 6, 2026 consent agenda passed by voice vote (both recorded as 3-0).

Council also discussed travel and conference spending as a possible place to identify savings for next year's budget; one councilmember circulated two years of travel expenditures and suggested the next council consider priority-based budgeting and sponsorships to offset event costs.

Next steps: finance staff will supply the requested supporting documents and line-item breakdowns to councilmembers and the items will appear on the Jan. 6 consent agenda for final action.