Council reviews 2026'1031 TIP, accepts $120,000 stormwater grant and hears October finance update

Arlington City staff presented several finance- and infrastructure-related updates during the workshop, including the draft six-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for 2026'2031, acceptance of a Department of Ecology stormwater grant, and the monthly financial highlights for October.

For the TIP, Jim Kelly said the packet includes a map and a spreadsheet listing 42 projects. He cautioned the total listed project costs — described in the meeting as approximately $215'$216 million — exceed what the city can reasonably complete in six years. Kelly highlighted that over the past six-year period the city completed roughly $27.8 million in transportation improvements. He also summarized funding sources for projects on the list: roughly 54% from city transportation impact fees and the Transportation Benefit District, 37% from grants, and 9% from utility funds.

On stormwater funding, Kelly reported the city received a $120,000, two-year Department of Ecology stormwater grant and asked council to accept the grant and authorize the mayor to sign the agreement.

Finance staff Shelby Burke presented the October financial report, noting stronger interest earnings in the city's investment portfolio ("As of October, we've actually earned 13% more than this time last October"), and an average bond yield rate this year of about 3.15% compared with lower rates in prior years. Burke also reported the utility shutoff list has improved to about 20'40 accounts per month; staff continue to offer payment arrangements to affected customers.

Council asked project-specific questions about whether developer-funded roads (example: Item 37) had changed status and about state coordination for Highway 531. Staff said some items remain dependent on outside decisions and that the TIP keeps projects on the list to preserve future funding or partner coordination opportunities.