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Orting finance director reports insurance jump, $1.1M bridge reimbursement in January
Summary
Director of Finance Tammy Motor reported January 2026 revenues of nearly $1.1 million—mostly bridge-reimbursement funds—an insurance bill above budget and $18.8 million in city investments at the March 11 council meeting.
Director of Finance Tammy Motor told the council March 11 that January 2026 brought nearly $1.1 million in revenue, driven largely by a bridge reimbursement and smaller federal grant reimbursements. “The majority of the revenue that came in was for bridge reimbursement,” Motor said, adding the city received just under $1,100,000 in January.
Motor said the city’s insurance bill rose to $662,000 for 2026, $10,000 over the budgeted amount of $652,000. “So we are a bit over budget for our insurance, just under $10,000,” she said. Motor cited the Washington Cities Insurance Authority estimate used in the budget and a later higher actual bill.
She reported specific fund snapshots: general-fund revenues of about $364,000 (roughly 7.6% of the annual budget) and general-fund expenditures trending higher largely because of insurance and new traffic camera costs. The streets fund, which had a negative balance in December 2025 of about $154,000, received the January bridge reimbursement and now shows stronger revenue; Motor said some January project expenses were billed in February, which will affect future reports.
On enterprise funds, Motor said water revenue was lower compared with 2025 because general facility charges tied to the Bridgewater plat were not received in January; water expenditures were about $251,000. Wastewater revenue was about $319,000. Motor said general facility charges are expected to arrive as homes sell over the coming months.
Motor also summarized the city’s investments: $18.8 million total, of which about $17.8 million is in the local government investment pool and approximately $1.0 million in bonds. “As of January, the local government investment pool has earned $67,000 in interest,” she said, noting the portfolio’s yield was close to the federal-funds effective rate.
The finance director said the state auditor will visit in October to audit fiscal years 2024 and 2025; the city has not yet submitted its 2025 annual report but expects to do so by the May 30 deadline. Motor said the report and supporting PowerPoint materials are posted on the city finance web page.
The council asked several clarifying questions about general facility charges, timing of billings, and how some fees are collected at sale versus upfront; Motor and City Administrator Mark Bethune explained some GFCs are paid at sale while others may be paid upfront or as impact fees.
