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Council trims REIT transfers, adopts budget and CFP amendments after debate
Summary
The Anacortes City Council voted 7–0 March 16 to adopt first‑quarter budget and CFP amendments and approved an amendment reducing REIT transfers to the annual sidewalks and bikeways program by $200,000; council cited shrinking REIT revenue and the need to preserve matching funds.
The council approved two ordinances (5023 and 5024) amending the operating budget and the capital facilities plan on March 16 after a brief public hearing and debate among council members about REIT (real‑estate excise tax) availability.
Finance Director Steve Hoagland reviewed the proposed amendments: a package of four crosswalk projects ($238,000 in REIT), a Fire Station 1 remodel ($312,000 with $67,000 REIT), and an added fleet repair line in the operating budget. After a public comment period (including an online caller who supported the pedestrian focus), Council member Hunt proposed an amendment to remove $200,000 from the 2026 REIT transfer for the annual sidewalks and bikeways program and reallocate it to cover high‑priority projects and potential grant matches.
Council debate emphasized constrained REIT receipts and the city’s success securing external grants. Council members Fantini, Moulton, Bolton and others supported the amendment as a way to preserve matching capacity for future grants; Council member Young and others voiced support for low‑cost, high‑impact pedestrian work such as painted demonstration curb extensions. The council adopted Ordinance 5023 with the $200,000 REIT reduction and then adopted Ordinance 5024 with matching language to delete the $200,000 from the CFP year 2026 sidewalks and bikeways line.
Vote: Roll call produced seven ayes, no nays. The council’s action preserves $38,292 remaining in the noted REIT transfer line after the $200,000 deduction as described on the record.
Why it matters: REIT is a recurring local revenue stream used for pedestrian and bike improvements. Council members framed the amendment as a prudent reallocation to preserve flexibility for required grant matches and to prioritize projects the city has already approved.
Next steps: Staff will make the edits to the ordinances as described on the record and proceed with implementation of the funded crosswalk projects and the Fire Station remodel as programmed.
