After hours of debate, Lake Stevens council adopts 2026 budget by 4-3 vote

After an extended late-evening session focused on the citys finances, the Lake Stevens City Council adopted the 2026 annual budget (Ordinance 12 o 5) by a 4-3 roll-call vote.

Finance staff presented the proposed budget and council engaged in a lengthy discussion about general-fund reserves, the long-term cost of the newly created parks department, employee compensation (market adjustments and cost-of-living adjustments), and the potential to reduce employer-paid medical contributions for nonrepresented staff as one source of savings.

Several council members warned the city is drawing on reserve balances and asked for concrete proposals to prevent continued decline, including a potential levy/ballot measure to fund parks or alternative revenue sources. Others argued that staff budgets are conservative, that past yearsconservative revenue forecasting usually results in better-than-projected year-end balances, and that sudden cuts to core services risk deferred maintenance and public-safety consequences.

Council members debated several potential amendments on the floor, including graduated employee medical-premium contributions tied to total compensation; no amendment received a second that evening. After discussion, Council member (name as stated) moved to adopt Ordinance 12 o 5 and the measure was seconded. The roll-call result was recorded as follows: Packard: No; Daughtry: Yes; Donahue: No; Peter Seggin: Yes; Shipman: No; Ewing: Yes; Jarstad: Yes (final tally: 4 yes, 3 no).

Council directed staff to return with additional analyses and possible amendments for the new council and asked for quarterly budget reviews in 2026 so the council can track revenues, expenditures and the need for corrective action.