Tumwater planning staff presented the city’s draft 2026 long‑range planning work program at a joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting on Dec. 9, outlining staffing levels, major projects and deadlines and asking council and commissioners for feedback.

Staff said the annual work program is sized for roughly 3.3 full‑time equivalent long‑range planning positions and groups proposed tasks into a comprehensive‑plan docket, a development‑code docket and general planning projects. The program carries forward several 2025 items, including implementation of the food system plan, capital‑facilities amendments and coordination with Thurston County on a joint plan update and an urban growth area (UGA) swap amendment.

Planning staff highlighted three items they asked council to prioritize: an evaluation and update of the city’s multifamily tax‑exemption code (chapter 3.30), the creation of an affordable‑housing project coordinator to help non‑profits and builders navigate permitting and code issues, and a homeless‑shelter emergency and transitional housing assessment and feasibility study. Staff said money is set aside for a consultant and that a scope of work is expected to come to the planning commission and council in the first quarter of 2026.

On the multifamily tax‑exemption program, staff warned the current code contains a deadline that would prevent accepting new applications unless the code is updated; they said a consultant will help evaluate program effectiveness and account for state law changes since the program’s 2019 update. On ADU and other code changes, staff indicated related periodic updates are scheduled for the 2026 docket.

Councilmembers and commissioners discussed communication and coordination practices, including more joint field visits, better use of slide material to reduce packet length, and expanded outreach to recruit additional volunteer commissioners. Staff said funds exist to send commissioners and staff to regional conferences and that the city will share bill‑status information from the Association of Washington Cities with commissioners to improve legislative responsiveness.

Staff asked whether the council would be comfortable placing the 2026 work program on the Jan. 20 consent calendar for final review; councilmembers signaled support for that schedule but no formal action was taken during the Dec. 9 session. The work program will return for formal council action when a calendar slot is scheduled.