Issaquah City Council Meeting October 26, 2026`

The Issaquah City Council held a special meeting on October 26, 2026, to deliberate the proposed 2027–2028 budget. The council discussed affordable-housing spending, a new 0.1% sales tax expected to generate approximately $240,000–$250,000 annually beginning in 2027, and a proposed capital reserve fund. Housing allocations include a $7.4 million agreement with the King County Housing Authority for the Opportunity Center and a planned $2 million investment through ARCH’s Inclusive Housing Investment Pool. The administration also proposed using reserve funds for solar installations, backup generators, LED conversion, and work on the Lewis House; the solar project is time-sensitive because a federal incentive is expected to expire at the end of 2027. The council discussed increasing human-services grants from $610,000 to $650,000 in the current budget cycle, with a planned increase to $850,000 in 2028. No budget or procurement votes were taken at this meeting; staff sought council confirmation ahead of later budget action.

The council discussed fire-service costs, including absorbing a $139,000 increase in the 2027 budget through fund balance while leaving the proposed 2028 amount unchanged pending further review of Eastside Fire and Rescue. The administration expects to return in 2027 with options if savings cannot be secured. Staff also reported a $1.66 million Public Safety Sales Tax grant, not yet included in the proposed budget, that will require council approval; potential uses include police officers, emergency management and human-services positions, a park ranger, equipment, and training. Council members supported the affordable-housing adjustments and capital reserve concept, while several asked that a proposed board-and-commission consolidation be removed from the budget discussion because it has no budget impact and would require separate council consideration. The next budget hearings were scheduled for November 2, with budget and property-tax ordinances slated for council action on November 16.