Sunnyside council leans toward middle-budget option after heated public hearing on finances

The Sunnyside City Council on Nov. 20 held a lengthy public hearing on the 2026 preliminary budget, receiving detailed staff analysis and dozens of public comments before signaling a policy direction to staff.

Finance Director Monica Hoffseader presented three budget scenarios: A (full staffing), B (targeted staffing reductions to preserve core services), and C (deeper cuts). Hoffseader said bond maturities in March and September could provide one-time relief but cautioned against depending on those receipts for ongoing expenses. “I went line item by line item on every single line item in the chart of accounts,” Hoffseader said, describing work to reconcile 2023–24 records and urging cautious use of investment proceeds.

The hearing brought repeated public demands for a forensic audit and answers about roughly $5 million in bond/investment activity raised by several residents. Sharon Dolan told the council her group had urged a forensic audit for years and asked, “Where did the $5,000,000 in investment money go?” Mayor and staff said the city is still reconciling 2024 transactions and seeking proposals from firms to perform deeper financial review; staff reported one firm has asked to extend the proposal deadline.

Council discussion focused on three high-cost service areas: police/jail operations, dispatch services and the community pool. Finance staff said the pool incurred roughly $195,537 in costs last season and generated about $112,632 in revenue, leaving roughly an $83,000 shortfall that year. Chief and staff reviewed dispatch options and said shifting dispatch to providers such as Yakima County could reduce costs but would require contracts and continued in‑building staffing for jail monitoring. The chief reported 2024 dispatch costs of about $1,018,000 and estimated outsourcing fees only after contract quotes arrive.

After extended questioning and public input, council members expressed a consensus leaning toward option B — a middle path that preserves the senior center, reduces some positions and limits pool hours on slower days — and asked staff to provide a detailed, itemized list of proposed cuts and an updated budget book. Councilor Hancock said she supported keeping staffing steady where possible but preferred option B with the senior center retained; Deputy Mayor Galvan said he also preferred option B. Mayor asked staff to prepare an amended packet and return with precise numbers, with a budget-adoption hearing scheduled Dec. 8.

The council did not adopt a budget at the meeting. Staff said the budget is a living document and will be revisited quarterly, and that a larger reconciliation of 2023–24 records remains underway. The city also said it is continuing efforts to solicit forensic-audit proposals and will report back when responses are received.

Next steps: staff will provide a refreshed budget packet with an itemized list of proposed staffing and program reductions, projected impacts on the general fund and enterprise funds, and any updated contract quotes for dispatch options ahead of the Dec. 1 workshop and the Dec. 8 regular meeting.