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Council adopts 2025–26 budget ordinance with fund transfers, staffing adjustments
Summary
The council approved a budget amendment for 2025–26 that includes a potential $150,000 transfer to Recreation fund 133, a $35,000 increase for low-income solid-waste assistance, a proposed 14% city manager salary increase for 2026 (budget gap $19,119) and the addition of two FTEs in the recreation fund.
The Mountlake Terrace City Council adopted its amended 2025–26 budget ordinance Tuesday after staff summarized internal fund transfers, service-line staffing changes and a proposed salary adjustment for the city manager.
Deputy City Manager Carolyn Hope, substituting for the finance director, told council the proposal included a possible general-fund transfer of up to $150,000 to Recreation fund 133 to ensure special revenue funds are balanced at year end and a one-time use of ending fund balance to add $35,000 to the account that helps low-income families pay for solid-waste pickup.
Hope said the city is also proposing a 14% increase to the city manager’s salary for 2026; that change creates a $19,119 difference versus the current adopted budget and would take effect Jan. 1, 2026. On staffing, Recreation Director Jeff Betts previously requested two FTE additions to support an expanded preschool program and swim instruction; Hope said the request is for 1.5 FTEs for preschool classes (cost-recovery ~128%) and 0.5 FTE for swim instruction (cost-recovery ~90%).
Mayor Pro Tem Wall moved to adopt the Mountlake Terrace 2025–26 budget ordinance, the motion was seconded and the council approved it by voice vote. City staff emphasized that the transfers do not increase overall budget authority but rather right-size special revenue funds and fund positions where program revenue supports staffing.
Council did not request additional amendments during the meeting. The ordinance takes effect under normal municipal procedures and staff will proceed with implementing the budget changes and any associated personnel actions.
