City Council Meeting of October 14, 2026

The City of Lakewood City Council held a special budget discussion meeting on October 14, 2026. Planning and Public Works reported approximately $36.6 million in capital projects delivered during 2025–26 and outlined upcoming transportation, sewer, and surface-water projects. The department identified about $13.7 million in funding dedicated to its 2027 capital program, with grants a major funding source; the presentation also cited roughly $16.6 million in 2027 capital projects. Procurement-related items included a $57,500 biennial bridge-inspection contract that Pierce County will no longer provide and that the city expects to procure, a $6,000 ongoing Economic Development Board sponsorship, replacement utility-locator equipment, and surface-water consultant work that has not yet gone out for RFP. The city is continuing its permitting-system implementation and plans to launch the statewide court case-management system; court staff said the state is expected to bear the latter system’s direct costs. The court also requested funds to refurbish its work-crew trailer and replace equipment, while noting that prior council funding, matched by the Foundation for Washington State Courts, enabled replacement of court security screening equipment.

Administrative Services reported increases to public-defense spending, with the budget projected at nearly $1.5 million in 2027 and nearly $1.7 million in 2028, and an annual $46,400 increase for fuel. The department also described planned IT replacements and moving police Flock and Axon camera costs into ongoing expenses; the camera package was discussed as approximately $434,000 for the biennium and 56 cameras, with a new contract requiring future council approval. A police-chief recruitment contract was also expected to be added to the budget proposal. Councilmembers discussed possible youth-sports support, requested Parks information on field fees and revenues, and asked to review the two unfunded human-services applications; no funding decision or formal vote on these matters was taken at this meeting. Budget review remained underway, with no contract award or bid approval recorded.