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Lake Stevens finance staff walk council through municipal budgeting as city prepares 2026 schedule
Summary
Finance Director Barb Stevens and Finance Manager Matthew Heist gave a ‘Finance 101’ briefing outlining department functions, recent audit history, staffing and technology challenges, and a plan to close 2025 books and begin the 2026 budget cycle.
Finance Director Barb Stevens told the Lake Stevens City Council on Feb. 3 that the city will close its 2025 financials, update forecasts and begin work on the 2026 budget after a presentation meant to bring councilmembers ‘‘on the same page’’ about municipal finance.
The briefing, introduced by Council President Jorstad, explained the finance department’s core duties—cash and treasury management, procurement compliance, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, grant accounting and asset management—and outlined a calendar that will include updated beginning balances, a proposed budget amendment and early council workshops.
Stevens said the city follows state legal requirements for budgets and reporting and that…
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