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Washington Terrace previews FY2027 tentative budget, flags sheriff contract and modest utility increases
Summary
City staff presented the FY2027 tentative budget, citing an estimated sheriff-contract cost of $1,335,522 and projecting a $3.95 monthly increase to utility base rates; staff said the tentative budget will appear at the May 5 meeting and that Truth-in-Taxation disclosures are required under new legislation.
City Manager Tom Hanson and Finance Director Shari' Garrett outlined the City of Washington Terrace's FY2027 tentative budget and the FY2028–31 plan during an April 14 work session, flagging sharper-than-expected increases in the sheriff contract and modest utility-rate adjustments.
Hanson said the city links budget items to priorities identified at the council retreat and seeks to “balance service levels with our capacity to pay.” He described the county contract formula for law enforcement as split roughly 60% on calls for service and 40% on population, which has increased the city's share of costs as neighboring cities grow and draw resources. Hanson said the city is anticipating a sheriff-contract estimate of $1,335,522 and that the county will perform a true-up; staff told the council to expect about a 7% annual escalation in the near term.
Finance Director Shari' Garrett told council members the historical pattern of contract increases has been uneven and that a 7% estimate is intended to cover the full package—personnel, fleet and…
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