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Olympia finance committee unanimously recommends 2026 budget to council, adds rental‑registry support positions
Summary
The Finance Committee voted Nov. 19 to recommend the 2026 preliminary operating, special and capital budget to the full City Council. The recommendation includes a proposed addition to the rental‑registry program (described as 1.5 FTE support positions to be funded by program revenue) and the committee also voted to cancel remaining 2025 meetings.
On Nov. 19 the Olympia City Council Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend the city’s preliminary 2026 operating, special and capital budget to the full City Council for final balancing.
Council member Green moved the recommendation and a colleague seconded. "If you can hear me, I'm happy to move to approve a recommendation to the city council to consider the 2026 preliminary operating, special dedicated funds and capital budget for final budget balancing," Green said before the committee took the aye vote.
Assistant city manager Jay and finance director Mike Gethins walked the committee through the package and highlighted that two new revenue items had already been adopted by council on Nov. 10 and that most other elements were unchanged from prior public briefings. Jay introduced one addition that had been proposed Nov. 10: the budget includes funding to add staff capacity to the rental‑registry program, described in the presentation as "adding 1.5" (transcript reads "feet"); staff clarified this was intended as 1.5 full‑time equivalent positions that the presentation said would be paid from program revenue and revisited at the end of the following year if revenues did not meet projections.
The committee briefly reviewed a slide showing the rental‑registry enhancement and heard staff say the positions should not impact the general fund because program revenue would offset the cost. The committee approved the recommendation by voice vote; the meeting record shows the committee members responded "Aye" and the chair stated the committee would recommend council approval.
Separately, finance director Mike Gethins reported that the city had received bond proceeds for the Hands On Children’s Museum expansion and parks projects; staff said the proceeds are invested appropriately and that an arbitrage compliance report will be required in five years.
Finally the committee moved and approved cancelling all remaining Finance Committee meetings in the 2025 calendar year. The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
