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Liberty Lake council adopts staff budget adjustments, trims special‑events and moves on vouchers
Summary
Council approved staff-recommended changes to the 2026 budget that reduce the general fund by about $587,660, implement salary-commissioned pay changes and remove a proposed drone show; the meeting included debate over transfers and an unresolved discussion about accelerated Trailhead bond prepayments.
Council members approved a package of staff adjustments to the proposed 2026 budget Tuesday night that together reduce the general fund by roughly $587,660 and reflect decisions made by the salary commission.
Finance staff presented the packet and said the salary commission “voted for a 7% increase” for council members, requiring a small upward adjustment to the council‑salaries line and a separate change to the mayor’s placeholder figure. Staff also recommended eliminating a $374,000 pavilion improvement line and cutting the special‑events professional‑services budget after the council chose not to pursue a planned drone show.
“We programmed $78,000 for council salaries in the preliminary budget. The salary commission subsequently voted for a 7% increase,” Finance Director Kyle said as he reviewed the sheet of changes. The net result, he said, was a modest increase for elected‑official pay and larger reductions elsewhere.
Public‑works staff also briefed the council on winter operations and utility costs. “Our garbage bill will be going up a little over 5% starting January 1,” Public Works Director Ben said, citing rate changes linked to the city’s waste contractor.
Council member Dunne moved — and the council approved by voice — a single motion to incorporate the listed increases and decreases into the budget ordinance so the ordinance can return for second reading with those figures reflected. The motion passed 6–0.
Several line‑item transfers and targeted moves were discussed afterward, including a proposal to shift small capital balances toward an accelerated principal payment on the Trailhead bond. Council members debated whether the city should use one‑time lease receipts and capital reserves to add to the planned prepayment. Some motions to transfer funds were tied or failed during the meeting, leaving the Trailhead prepayment question unresolved.
The meeting also approved routine procurement and arts contracts on the consent/general business calendar, including two public‑art agreements (Jagoda and Getzinger artist agreements) and the vouchers for the Dec. 2 claims docket; the vouchers passed 5–1.
What’s next: staff will publish a revised ordinance reflecting tonight’s amendments and present it for second reading at the Dec. 8 special meeting where the council has scheduled a final vote on the 2026 budget ordinance.
