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Council begins 2026 budget review amid projections of a deficit tied to lost parking revenue
Summary
Council opened public hearings on the 2026 preliminary budget (total revenues and expenditures of $7,686,187). Members flagged a possible overall $20,000 deficit and a roughly $400,000 shortfall tied to halted parking fees at Point Ruston; council requested further review and additional meetings before final adoption.
On Nov. 18 the Ruston City Council held required preliminary budget hearings for the 2026 fiscal year. The Mayor's proposed budget shows total revenues and appropriations of $7,686,187, with beginning balances of $2,279,354 and operating revenues of $5,406,833. Councilmember Jensen asked for more detailed budget documents and proposed an additional meeting to give the public another chance to review details before final adoption.
Councilmember Holland said department heads managed expenses well in 2025 but identified two revenue pressures: an anticipated roughly $20,000 deficit under current projections and an estimated $400,000 loss resulting from a ruling that halted parking fees at Point Ruston. Mayor Pro Tem Hedrick also noted a separate outstanding reimbursement of about $405,000 from the State Department of Ecology for completed soil remediation work that the City has not yet received.
