Council advances 2026 budget amendments totaling just over $2 million

Richland City Council voted to amend the 2026 budget (Ordinance 2026-18) to provide additional appropriations totaling just over $2,000,000. Finance Director Brandon Allen told the council the funding sources are primarily fund balance (about $1.6 million) and approximately $470,000 from new revenues or transfers, and then walked through line-item changes across the general, wastewater, water, streets capital, and equipment maintenance funds.

Allen described key items: $120,000 to implement a learning management system tied to the city's payroll/HR system (Workday); roughly $171,000 for a wastewater management plan update and ~ $24,000 for repairs expected to be reimbursed by a design consultant; about $285,000 in water reimbursements to Costco tied to development; roughly $920,000 to fund an intertie converting Riata Ridge Subdivision from Badger Mountain Irrigation District potable water to the city system; and a $450,000 appropriation for systemic pedestrian crossing safety improvements that includes WSDOT grant carryover and additional WSDOT funds. "There's a grand total in appropriations of just over 2,000,000," Allen said.

After questions and comments from council, a motion to amend the ordinance was moved, seconded and carried by unanimous roll call. Council members said the changes were intended to address anticipated capital needs, vendor support issues, and grant carryforwards.