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Port Angeles Council adopts balanced $199 million 2026 budget after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and debate about staffing and transparency, the Port Angeles City Council unanimously adopted a balanced 2026 budget of about $199 million that dedicates roughly $64 million to one-time capital investments and maintains a conservative, no-new-debt approach.
Port Angeles — The City Council unanimously adopted the city's 2026 budget on Dec. 2 after a public hearing in which staff and residents discussed staffing levels, transparency and prioritizing capital work.
Serena, a city finance staff member, told the council the 2026 budget is "balanced at about $199,000,000 citywide with about $64,000,000 dedicated to critical one-time capital investments," and that staff recommended adoption of the ordinance. She said staff proposed no new positions in the budget and described a multi-year approach to capital projects that favors setting aside funds rather than taking on new debt.
During public comment, residents asked for greater granularity in budget documents and raised concern about an item labeled "general unspecified." Council discussion ranged from calls for routine cost-benefit analysis to defenses of recent staff increases as necessary capacity-building. Councilmember (Navara) moved to adopt the budget; the motion was seconded by Lindsay and passed unanimously.
City staff highlighted that the budget relies on planned capital reserves and stated that nearly 23% minimum fund balances are being maintained for emergencies, noting "At nearly $6,000,000 in general fund emergency reserves" as part of those safeguards.
What happens next: the ordinance adopting the 2026 budget takes effect per municipal procedures; staff said grant-funded and capital projects will be managed through the capital facilities plan and that further details will be available in upcoming council packets and planning documents.
