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Richland council adopts nearly $127 million in 2025→2026 budget carryovers
Summary
The council unanimously approved ordinance 2026‑12 to carry forward roughly $127 million in 2025 projects into 2026, including about $117 million in capital improvement projects such as the Richland Loop and street projects; the vote followed a presentation from the finance director.
The Richland City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt ordinance 2026‑12, carrying forward nearly $127 million in unfinished 2025 projects and encumbrances into the 2026 budget.
Finance Director Brandon Allen told council the total adjustment is "just under 127,000,000, which is the biggest we've ever done," driven largely by capital projects. About $117 million of the carryover is tied to capital improvement projects, including street projects, the Richland Loop (roughly $16.6 million) and water and solid‑waste projects; roughly $4.8 million is grant‑funded and about $5.1 million represents encumbered purchase orders.
Why it matters: The ordinance moves multi‑year projects and outstanding purchase orders into the current fiscal year so work and payments can continue; large items cited include street work, a landfill expansion, park projects and rolling transfers between funds.
Council questions focused on whether inflationary escalation is built into the carryovers; Allen said no broad escalation was added and specific cost adjustments would return if identified later. Council asked for future presentations on major items such as the Rivers‑to‑Ridges Trail and other large CIP projects.
Vote and outcome: The ordinance was adopted by roll‑call vote with all members voting aye.
Representative quote: "Our overall adjustment is just under 127,000,000, which is the biggest we've ever done," Finance Director Brandon Allen said.
Ending: Council signaled interest in additional briefings on major projects and moved the city's multi‑year work program forward by approving the carryovers.
