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Anacortes council approves 2026 operating budget, adopts capital facilities plan and several contracts
Summary
At its Nov. 24 meeting the Anacortes City Council adopted the 2026 operating budget and companion capital facilities plan, approved routine contracts including janitorial continuation and a wastewater CSO pump-station construction contract, and rejected bids for a fiber unit-price contract to rebid with clearer quantities.
The Anacortes City Council on Nov. 24 adopted the city—s 2026 operating budget and the companion capital facilities plan and approved a set of contracts the council said were necessary to keep city operations and infrastructure projects on track.
Mayor Miller presided as the council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 5009 (the 2026 operating budget) after a presentation from finance staff. "We have met our notice requirements, public hearing requirements, and I believe we've answered council's questions," Finance staff member Mister Hoagland told the council. The council then unanimously adopted the capital facilities plan, Ordinance 5010.
The meeting also produced several contract and procurement outcomes. City staff presented a contract modification with BE Enterprises in the amount of $140,252.60 to extend janitorial services at six city facilities into 2026; Councilmember Walters moved approval and the motion carried. City staff said the contract will continue service at city hall, the senior center and the library and carries no rate increase.
On infrastructure, staff recommended awarding a construction contract for a combined sewer overflow (CSO) pump station at the wastewater treatment plant to Strider Construction. City staff said the pump station will allow the city to convey excess influent flows during heavy rain events, prevent sanitary sewer overflow incidents and keep the city in compliance with discharge permit conditions. Staff also said the low bidder came in significantly under the city—s original estimate and that the project will be funded by an interfund loan approved Oct. 13. Councilmember Walters moved approval; the council voted unanimously to award the contract.
Council also adopted Resolution 3190 to reject all bids received on Nov. 13 for a unit-price fiber general-contractor services contract. Planning/IT staff explained unit-price line-item bidding did not provide realistic cost estimates for emergency callouts; staff recommended rebidding with defined quantities (for example, 500 feet or 200 splices) to better estimate the cost of aerial fiber repairs. Councilmember Young moved adoption and the resolution passed unanimously.
The council approved the consent agenda and made the routine motions necessary to carry out the city—s near-term operations. Several councilmembers used the budget discussion to reiterate concerns about longer-term revenue constraints and the need to prioritize projects that generate economic activity.
The most recent procedural step for the comprehensive plan and development regulations is a public comment period that will close Dec. 11; staff told the council they intend to present final changes for council consideration at the Dec. 15 meeting.
