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Sunnyside holds final public hearing on 2026 budget as council presses staff for line-by-line clarity
Summary
At a Dec. 1 study session the Sunnyside City Council received staff presentations on a revised 2026 budget option that adds pool and senior‑center funding and debated bond timing, hiring freezes, dispatch funding and a proposed 5% utility-rate increase.
Sunnyside City Council opened the final public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget Dec. 1 and spent extensive time questioning staff about staffing choices, revenue assumptions and the timing of a $1 million bond maturity projected for March.
Finance staff introduced a revised package identified as "option B" and said the changes — including added part‑time pool staffing and some funding for the senior center — increased the proposed budget by roughly $8,000 from the previously circulated version. "That did increase it slightly from what it was around $8,000 difference, overall," staff said when presenting the updated budget materials.
During public comment, Brian Galvan accused council members of fraud in remarks judged outside the hearing’s budget scope; the mayor redirected such comments to the general comment period at the next regular meeting. Sharon Dolan asked whether taxes approved for the pool had been held in a separate account; staff said the pool tax is tracked in a dedicated line item within the accounting system and has been reconciled and applied to pool funds for fiscal year 2025.
Councilors then pressed staff to provide more granular information: which revenue lines feed the $17 million general fund total, a line‑by‑line breakout of property, sales and bond revenue, and clearer monthly and quarterly reconciliations so council can spot when budget amendments are needed. Staff said the budget assumes a bond maturity in March and that the matured funds would be moved into the general fund to backfill near‑term cash needs. Staff recommended regular financial statements and reconciliations be provided to council on a monthly and quarterly basis.
Pool operations and staffing received focused attention: staff said the proposal provides for a full‑time pool manager, two full‑time lifeguards and additional lifeguard tiers with part‑time hours to cover swim team and busy days; swim lessons were included in the staffing plan. Staff also said dispatch funding is included in both budget options at 100% and that third‑party dispatch proposals could be evaluated as a future budget amendment.
Councilors signaled they wanted a clearer revenue breakdown and faster budget-amendment reporting during the year to avoid the mid‑year surprises the city experienced in recent years. Several councilors urged staff to present a specific schedule for when key statements and reconciliation reports will be provided.
The public hearing closed at 6:51 p.m.; councilors said they expect to continue scrutinizing the budget before adopting a final 2026 plan at the upcoming regular meeting.
