Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kent council adopts 2026 mid‑biennial budget adjustments totaling $442.6 million
Summary
The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 4528 to adjust the 2026 mid‑biennium budget, increasing the total city budget to $442.6 million (about $11 million over the adopted budget), adding 16 positions and reallocating funds for facilities and capital needs.
The Kent City Council on Nov. 18 adopted Ordinance No. 4528, approving mid‑biennium adjustments to the 2026 budget that raise the city's total budget to $442,600,000, an increase of roughly $11 million (about 2.5%) over the previously adopted biennial budget.
Finance Director Paula Painter told the council the mid‑biennial adjustment aligns revenues and expenditures with observed trends and known cost drivers since the December 2024 adoption. Painter said the general fund portion of the budget is $132,200,000.
Painter said 16 positions were added in the adjustment: 11 positions relate to a new one‑tenth of 1% sales tax to support criminal justice and other positions were added as temporary or to support facilities, including staffing for the Kent Eastall Operations Center and one position for River Bend Golf Complex.
A councilmember moved to adopt Ordinance No. 4528; the motion was seconded and carried during the meeting. The ordinance now stands adopted, and staff will implement the budget realignments and onboard the approved positions per normal personnel and budget processes.
The council did not record detailed line‑item changes in the meeting record beyond the summary Painter provided; staff indicated they would answer further budget questions through the usual staff channels and follow‑up reports.
