Kirkland City Council Special Meeting October 29, 2026

Kirkland City Council held a special meeting and study session on October 29, 2026, to review the proposed 2027–2028 biennial budget; the budget and capital improvement plan are scheduled for further hearings and adoption in December. Staff presented a balanced proposed budget of about $1.15 billion across city funds, with no new general taxes proposed beyond the allowed 1% property-tax increase. The only vote recorded was to excuse Council Member Tim Chisen. The presentation highlighted $34 million for streets, $1.6 million for turf fields at Crestwood and 132nd Square Park, $1.2 million for Peter Kirk Pool, and funding for the Kraken Iceplex and Kirkland Community Center. It also reported the city’s $10.2 million acquisition of the Kingsgate property and described its interim financing and planned repayment sources. The budget includes $5.28 million for human services and increased affordable-housing contributions through ARCH; about $616,000 in general-fund balance remains unallocated. Staff noted a projected $10.6 million structural gap in the base budget and a larger ongoing deficit in later years.

Procurement-related discussion focused on planned service packages and future spending choices, rather than contract awards or bid approvals. Staff described a proposed Kirkland-specific AI permitting-tool pilot, for which the city expects to issue an RFP and seek competitive bids, and discussed a separate regional permitting effort. The council also reviewed a recently awarded HB 2015 grant supporting six police officers and related programs, with $750,000 reserved for the required match; potential adoption of the county-authorized children and families sales tax; and possible future use of a separate public-safety sales tax, to be discussed further on November 17. Other budget issues included rising jail medical-provider costs after the current provider gave notice it would not renew, and proposed parking-fee changes intended to support streets and parks. Council members requested further information on options, costs, and implementation before budget decisions are finalized.