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Consultants outline Sunnyside's 2026 state and federal funding priorities, flag tight budgets

Sunnyside City Council · December 9, 2025
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Summary

Capital Path Consulting presented Sunnyside’s 2026 state and federal advocacy plan, highlighting capital asks including well‑10 treatment equipment ($300k–$800k range) and a proposed $2M federal wastewater UV disinfection appropriation; consultants warned the supplemental state session will be constrained by shortfall and election‑year dynamics.

Capital Path Consulting briefed Sunnyside’s City Council on Dec. 8 about the 2026 legislative environment and recommended funding and advocacy priorities for the city.

Kyle Skerch Blair and colleagues told council the state is entering a short 60‑day session with limited operating funds and potential cuts; they recommended preserving capital buckets such as CURB and revolving loan funds and advancing specific city priorities previously awarded or in negotiation. The firm said the city has just under $1.3 million from last session across three projects and is seeking amendments to align award language with current project needs and timelines.

Consultants outlined a set of proposed asks: (1) possible acquisition/expansion around Centennial Square gazebo using remaining commerce funds; (2) $500,000 (approximately $1/2 million) for community pool maintenance and potentially a splash pad; (3) a capital request for well‑10 treatment equipment with an estimated funding need between $300,000 and $800,000; and (4) an anticipated $2 million federal ask for UV disinfection upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant. The consultants also noted homelessness‑related programs and indigent defense funding (the city currently incurs roughly $250,000/year for public defense costs) as long‑term advocacy priorities.

Council asked staff to integrate warming‑shelter and youth/senior services funding into the legislative priorities and to coordinate schedules for Olympia and Washington, D.C., visits planned for 2026.