Green River City Council approves 2026 amendment, adopts 2027 budget and accepts certified tax rate

The Green River City Council on June 25 approved an amendment to the 2026 budget, adopted the proposed 2027 budget and voted to accept the certified property-tax rate (Resolution R01-02026) after a public hearing and extended discussion about economic-development contracting and employee compensation.

A member of the public (Speaker 1) urged the council to reconsider the citys contract with a consultant identified in the meeting as "Better Cities," saying, "I think $8,500 a month or a $105 is a year is a little bit much," and suggesting that money could instead fund a locally based economic-development hire. Staff (Speaker 3) explained the citys recent arrangements: the city paid RCAC about $47,000 this past year, other technical assistance came from federal DOT grant-supported sources, and contracted services can approach $100,000 per year. Staff said a single full-time grant writer or economic-development specialist could command $80,000$100,000 in salary, not including employment costs.

Council members debated options rather than taking immediate action on the contract. One council member (Speaker 6) said the council should "address the Better Cities contract going forward" and asked that it be placed on a future agenda for a detailed review. Another council member urged caution about ending the relationship abruptly while the city evaluates an in-house alternative.

Council discussion also focused on employee compensation included in the draft 2027 budget. Staff (Speaker 3) confirmed that proposed wage adjustments in the draft would be effective July 1 if implemented, saying, "It starts July 1." The draft budget includes a planning figure of a 10% across-the-board increase; councilmembers debated whether that figure is a firm commitment or a placeholder to be refined. One councilmember (Speaker 6) said he would withhold his vote without timely assurances about how raises would be allocated: "I'm not gonna vote for the budget because I take the employee compensation serious enough," he said, pressing for a council work session within 30 days to set a specific approach to raises and job descriptions.

Council members emphasized the importance of job descriptions and formal evaluations before distributing raises. Multiple speakers said some positions lack written job descriptions and recommended a yearly employee survey and a separate work session to review compensation and performance. The council tentatively scheduled an employee-compensation work session for Wednesday, July 8 (time to be confirmed) to allow a more detailed, potentially closed-session review of individual personnel matters if needed under the law.

Staff and council also corrected a budget accounting issue involving EMS stipends. Staff reported that county stipends passing through the city had been previously recorded as revenue ($103,000) but now are paid directly by the county to EMTs; the city removed that passthrough revenue and reallocated the corresponding line so the amended 2026 budget remained balanced.

On formal action, the council took three votes near the end of the meeting. A motion to approve the amended 2026 budget passed on roll call (ayes recorded by name as "Guy," "Steno," "K" and "Pauline"). The council then moved to approve the proposed 2027 fiscal-year budget and separately adopted Resolution R01-02026 accepting the certified tax rate; both measures passed following roll calls.

The council chair closed the hearing and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m. Councilmembers and staff said follow-up agenda items will include a detailed review of the Better Cities contract, options for an in-house grant writer or economic-development hire, and a dedicated work session on employee compensation and job descriptions.

The Green River City Councils actions affect the city's FY2026 closeout and the FY2027 spending framework; any substantive changes to wages or contractor arrangements would require future agenda items and, where applicable, budget amendments.