The City of Liberty Lake Parks & Arts Commission voted unanimously Dec. 1 to spend the remaining balance of its 2025 budget on Home for the Holidays activities.

Commissioners reviewed year‑to‑date expenditures and carryover lines. Staff noted $2,600 had been spent on lights, and a tree invoice of roughly $700 was recorded, leaving about $3,500 spent from a $10,000 programming line; staff also indicated one additional order of about $400 remained pending for the Battle of the Branches. Mikhail, a staff member, recommended purchases that could be made before year‑end (additional displays, portable stage pieces, heaters) to improve future events.

Joni Hay moved that remaining unspent 2025 funds be allocated to Home for the Holidays and Katie Farris seconded. “I move that we spend the remainder of the home for the holidays budget before the end of the year,” Hay said before the vote. The commission voted aye and the motion passed unanimously.

Staff will determine exact purchases within the remaining balance and proceed with orders that can be invoiced in December, including heaters or display pieces if timing permits. Mikhail said staff would prioritize items that can be delivered and coded this year.

The commission also discussed logistics improvements identified during the first-year event — additional craft activities, photo opportunities, possible tents or heaters for cold evenings, and ways to improve sight lines for Santa and other program elements — to inform spending priorities.