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Kenmore council adopts mid‑biennial budget amendments, approves new IT position; 6–1 vote
Summary
The council approved mid‑biennial amendments that increase several fund balances and adopt a 2.7% wage adjustment; councilors debated and rejected an amendment to remove a proposed full‑time IT technician. The ordinance passed 6–1.
Finance and Administration Director Melinda Murrell presented proposed mid‑biennial amendments to the 2025–26 budget and a related salary plan, and the Kenmore City Council adopted the ordinance after brief debate.
Murrell told the council the package increases general fund revenues by $1,470,000 and adjusts multiple funds (street fund +$50,000; park impact fee +$70,000; transportation impact fee +$247,000; public works operations center +$1,100,000; surface water management and capital funds increases). She said the amendments would result in a higher year‑end fund balance and would include a 2.7% across‑the‑board wage increase based on the June CPIW. Murrell also proposed a new IT technician position described in packet materials as a fully loaded $180,000 cost to the general fund.
Council member Marshall said he supported the ordinance overall “with the exception of the new position on IT,” arguing the city could continue to fund IT services through contracts to save money. Murrell said the position would relieve an accountant who currently spends "40 to 50% of her time on IT work" and that the city currently uses long‑term consultants for some IT services but has growing on‑site needs. Marshall moved to amend to exclude funding for the new IT position and to continue contracting for the work; the amendment failed for lack of a second.
The council then voted on the ordinance. The clerk recorded a roll call: Council member Marshall voted No; Council members Sassen, Lutzes, Srednick, Culver, Deputy Mayor O'Kane and Mayor Herbig voted Yes. Ordinance 25‑0‑6‑3‑5 was approved 6–1.
The council did not request additional changes to the salary adjustments or the other fund updates at that time. Murrell said staff would implement the approved amendments and the updated salary plan.
The ordinance's effective implementation steps were not detailed in the hearing record; staff offered to answer follow‑up questions if councilors need additional clarifications.
