1:00 → 1:50(50s)
The Covington budget workshop focused on 2026 budget priorities across departments. Staff walked the council through department-level requests and decision cards, including a request to keep a part‑time community care navigator (Carrie) on for another year using opioid-abetment/HB1590 funds; a lengthy discussion of police contract costs with King County and whether to add at least one city-funded officer; a contested proposal over a city‑sponsored Pride event that resulted in council asking the equity/cultural/social‑justice commission to administer a small grants pool and staff to waive routine permit fees where there is a clear public benefit; and several parks, public‑works and IT items (website accessibility, Jenkins Creek Park maintenance, cameras). Council gave direction to include the 10‑hour/week community care position in the budget (one‑time offset identified), requested staff to model hiring one police officer in the forecast and agreed to set aside a small ($3,000) grant pot to be administered by the Equity/Cultural/Social Justice commission to support community events including Pride.
