Kent City Council Meeting - October 20, 2026

The Kent City Council’s regular meeting on October 20, 2026, included public hearings on the 2027–28 biennial budget, the 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), the 2027 property tax levy, and related comprehensive-plan amendments. The six-year CIP totals $238.4 million, with $80.6 million included in the 2027–28 budget. The hearings were closed by approved motions, but the transcript does not show a vote adopting the budget or CIP. The budget presentation cited higher-than-expected costs for public defense, jail medical services, inmate overflow housing, and utilities; it also described opioid-settlement funding for a resource coordinator, supplies, and recovery-focused services. Two full-time positions were proposed to investigate businesses operating without city licenses. The property-tax presentation reported a 4.4% decrease in citywide assessed valuation and estimated Kent’s share at about $1.70 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The council also heard that a 0.1% sales-tax measure authorized 10 permanent police positions, while a separate competitive grant supports 20 hire-ahead positions to backfill anticipated retirements rather than increase staffing permanently. For the comprehensive-plan amendment, staff said school impact fees would remain at zero per unit; updated fire impact fees and the plan amendment were scheduled for council review and a vote on November 17. The consent calendar, items A–E, was approved, but the transcript does not identify its contents. No contract awards, vendor selections, or bid approvals were identified; the meeting did not include a vote approving the budget or CIP.