At a City of Pasco council meeting, elected officials approved a set of ordinances and resolutions covering the biennial budget, facility operations, personnel matters and contracts, and set a public hearing on land‑use SEPA threshold changes.

Budget amendment (Ordinance 4807): Interim Director Garcia presented proposed amendments to the 2025–2026 biennial budget, describing an overall revenue increase (staff cited roughly $130 million in citywide revenue increases driven by energy tax credits, investment income and a recent utility tax rate change) and an expense increase across funds (staff cited approximately $80 million of increased expenses tied to interlocal agreements, land purchase and medical premium changes). Council members discussed a general‑fund deficit (one member described a roughly $10.5 million biennial gap), the distinction between capital and operating funds, and tradeoffs for future revenue options. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved to adopt Ordinance 4807; the motion passed by roll call 5–1 (Councilmember Perales recorded as No). The ordinance authorizes additional appropriations and publication by summary.

Aquatic center operations (Resolution 4686): Director Jesse Weiss and representative Matt Watkins of the Pasco Public Facilities District presented a final interlocal agreement for the City to provide operations and management services for the new aquatic center. Key ILA terms included a three‑year initial term with renewal options, liability limits, annual payment adjustments, development of facility maintenance policies, and staffing/operations timelines aimed at opening in about six months. The council approved Resolution 4686 authorizing the city manager to execute the ILA (vote recorded as 5–1).

Personnel and administrative measures: The council confirmed Carlos D. Villareal as municipal court judge by adopting Ordinance 4810 (unanimous). The council adopted two wage ordinances: Ordinance 4808 (administrative and nonmanagement wages for 2026) passed unanimously; Ordinance 4809 (management salary schedule adjustments) passed 5–1 after discussion of compression issues and salary transparency compliance. Council also adopted Ordinance 4811 creating a city manager discretionary paid day off and confirmed the manager's scheduled day off for Dec. 26, 2025 (unanimous).

Procurement and capital items: Council authorized a professional services agreement with Infosend Incorporated for utility bill printing/mailing (Resolution 4689) after staff noted integration with recent billing software and an estimated biennial savings near $66,000. The council approved Resolution 4687 (change order #4 to Tapani Inc. for Sanford Parkway/Broadmoor intersection) and Resolution 4688 adopting the 2026–2031 Capital Improvement Plan; both motions passed unanimously.

SEPA exemption thresholds: Deputy Director Craig Raymond outlined proposed increases to SEPA categorical exemption thresholds (examples: single‑family exemption from 4 to 30 units; multifamily from 4 to 60 units; fill/excavation threshold from 100 to 1,000 cubic yards) while retaining review for sensitive areas (shorelines, wetlands, high‑risk archaeology). Council discussed whether to adopt the maximum allowed levels now or to proceed incrementally while updating supporting code and infrastructure measures. Council voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing on Feb. 2, 2026, to consider the ordinance amending Title 23.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 4807 (2025–2026 budget amendment): Passed by roll call 5–1 (mover: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm; second: Councilwoman Bridal).
- Ordinance 4805 (Ambulance utility fees — 80% model): Passed 5–1.
- Ordinance 4808 (Administrative nonmanagement wages 2026): Passed unanimously.
- Ordinance 4809 (Management salaries 2026): Passed 5–1.
- Ordinance 4810 (Confirm municipal court judge appointment): Passed unanimously.
- Ordinance 4811 (City manager discretionary day off): Passed unanimously; confirmation of 12/26/2025 day off passed unanimously.
- Resolution 4686 (Aquatic center ILA): Passed 5–1.
- Resolution 4687 (Change order — Sanford Parkway): Passed unanimously.
- Resolution 4688 (CIP 2026–2031): Passed unanimously.
- Resolution 4689 (Infosend contract for utility bill printing/mailing): Passed unanimously.

What’s next: staff will finalize implementation steps for adopted ordinances and contracts, prepare the Feb. 2 SEPA hearing packet for council and public review, and proceed with scheduling council interviews for the at‑large position on Dec. 8, 2025.

Closing note
The meeting combined routine administrative approvals with several policy decisions that have direct fiscal and operational effects; the council consistently directed staff to follow through with the implementation actions described in the agenda materials.