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Olympia unveils web-based monthly financial report and lays out 2027 budget calendar
Summary
City officials showed a new in-house monthly financial reporting tool designed to increase transparency and allow residents and councilmembers to drill into revenues, expenditures and a watch list of key budget indicators; staff also previewed the 2027 budget timeline and early revenue forecasting.
Finance Director Mike Givens demonstrated a new monthly financial reporting tool the City of Olympia developed in-house to give council and the public a dynamic way to track budgets and key financial indicators. "This financial reporting tool is the next important piece we are launching to connect our community better to the budget," Givens said.
The web-based dashboard, posted to the city’s budget and performance page, includes a color-coded watch list (green/yellow/red) that flags revenue and expense lines staff are monitoring and provides notes explaining timing effects. Givens pointed to property tax timing as an example: "$17,000,000 of our revenue comes from property taxes, and the first half payments aren't in," he said, noting that the report will be published mid-month after the prior month is closed.
Councilmembers asked how the tool was developed and how people will learn to use it. Givens credited the finance team and Joan Letts, the budget manager, saying the tool was built in-house (Power BI) and that staff will publish a short how-to video. Mayor Dante Payne and City Manager Jay Birney framed the rollout as part of a larger transparency push: Birney said the tool helps staff, council and the community "track financial stability throughout the year."
Givens also previewed the 2027 budget calendar: staff will provide early forecasting and study-session materials over the summer, present the capital facilities plan in August and work toward adoption of a balanced 2027 budget by December. He described the internal processes used to monitor cash flow and the stop-gap options (spending and hiring freezes) the city can employ if indicators deviate.
The presentation drew questions about data detail and timing; Givens said users can drill into fund-level revenue and expenditure details and view five-year trends. The council thanked the finance team for developing the tool without outsourcing and encouraged staff to produce user guidance so residents can engage with the data.
The council did not take a formal vote on the report; staff said the monthly report will be posted on the city website moving forward and that the finance committee will continue to vet early 2027 revenue estimates and calendar dates.
