Committee advances funding, policy changes to support review of proposed BEST (Jupiter) land‑use matter

The Finance & Administration Committee on April 7 forwarded to the full City Council a package of budget and policy changes designed to fund outside legal review and related work prompted by community concern over a proposed BEST (referred to in public comments as the "Jupiter" project).

The committee recommended that the council consider AB26-017, a budget amendment seeking $433,000 in additional appropriation, and two companion items — AB26-015 (a resolution amending the city’s financial management policy) and AB26-016 (an ordinance repealing earlier ordinance/resolution language) — to change how certain recurring revenues are recorded so the city can pay for ongoing outside legal services.

Budget manager Jenna Walker told the committee the request is split into a recurring component of $383,000 and a one‑time land‑use expenditure of about $50,000. "The 383,000 is the level of legal expense we expect year after year," Walker said, framing the request as ongoing operational support rather than a one‑off expense. Director Bouty and Walker proposed covering the ongoing cost by moving two recurring revenue streams into the general fund: about 15% of utility tax currently credited to the capital fund and the recurring portion of construction sales tax; staff estimated each source could contribute roughly $300,000 annually to the general fund if reallocated.

In public comment before the committee, Melody Cor Korea urged immediate, clear action. "Zero days — the amount of time left to remain neutral," she said, pressing the council to use its influence with King County and other levers to halt or otherwise influence permitting. Resident Katherine Cotton, speaking later, said she was addressing the committee as a resident and urged patience while the administration conducts background work.

Council members and the mayor stressed the legal limits on off‑record communications and the need to protect the legal rights of all parties while preserving residents' ability to participate. "We need to be deliberate so we don't harm residents' legal positions or the city's procedural standing," the mayor said.

The committee agreed the package should be forwarded to council for consideration rather than placed on consent. Staff noted the budget amendment requires two readings but a simple majority to pass; they also said administration has begun engaging counsel within existing contracting authority to avoid interruption of work while the council considers the request.

Next steps: the committee forwarded AB26-017, AB26-015 and AB26-016 to the full City Council for consideration. Council will receive the ordinance/resolution language and the budget amendment for formal readings and votes at upcoming meetings.