City Council Special Meeting of Monday, October 5, 2026

The City of Kenmore City Council’s special meeting on October 5, 2026, introduced the preliminary 2027–2028 biennial budget. City Manager Terry Kilgore and Finance and Administration Director Melinda Merrell described a budget focused on maintaining current service levels while improving internal systems and planning for future needs. The proposed budget projects $3.8 million in deficit spending over the biennium across the general and street funds. The city reported improved near-term finances—revenue up $2.2 million and expenses down $1.2 million compared with prior expectations—and cited its 20% reserve policy. The staffing proposal is a net increase of 0.5 FTE. No budget adoption, contract award, or other spending-related vote occurred; this was an introductory presentation, with a public hearing scheduled for November 9 and potential adoption on November 23.

Capital and funding topics included the Public Works Operations Center under construction and a revised Lake Point concept focused on acquiring a 4–5-acre city park with trails and waterfront restoration. The city reported securing $15 million from the King County Parks levy to assist with Lake Point acquisition. The presentation also covered uncertainty around grant funding, future capital needs, and a planned Q1 2027 budget revisit after the November levy-lid-lift ballot outcome. The city said it expects to issue a police services study by year-end or early 2027, but no procurement action or vendor selection was identified.