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Richland council adopts 2026 budget and buys time on labor and budget adjustments
Summary
Council approved the 2026 budget and 2026–2031 CIP, adopted compensation adjustments and two firefighter collective‑bargaining agreements, and approved year‑end budget adjustments including transfers for land purchase and street grants.
The Richland City Council adopted the 2026 budget and the 2026–2031 capital improvement plan on Dec. 2 and approved several related personnel and budget measures.
Brandon Allen presented the second reading and summarized limited changes from the first reading: revenues rose about 0.3% and expenditures about 0.4%, with a $147,000 change to appropriated fund balance. Allen described a $750,000 transfer and expenditure tied to a land purchase for future fire‑station planning and noted small adjustments to medical and intergovernmental funds. Council approved Ordinance 2025‑33 on a roll‑call vote.
Kristen Mabe presented Resolution 2025‑152 to update Exhibit A of the compensation plan for unaffiliated employees, recommending a 2.1% market adjustment effective Jan. 1, 2026, while noting that individual pay changes remain merit‑based. The council approved the resolution by voice vote.
The council also approved two collective bargaining agreements with IAFF Local 1052: Resolution 2025‑153 for battalion chiefs and Resolution 2025‑154 for rank‑and‑file firefighters. Both are three‑year contracts (2026–2028) that include 3% wage increases each year, a move to a 12% employee / 88% employer health‑insurance cost‑sharing model, updated HRA/VEBA contribution amounts, and scheduled Kelly‑day changes. Staff said union members ratified the agreements in November and a related grievance will be withdrawn as part of the settlements.
Council then approved Ordinance 2025‑38, a year‑end budget adjustment package totaling about $5.5 million across funds, including approximately $2.1 million in grant funding for street projects and transfers to/from fund balance as described by staff.
