September 8, 2026 Special BUDGET City Council Meeting.

The City of West Richland held a special City Council budget workshop on September 8, 2026, to review the unedited departmental requests and revenue assumptions for the 2027–2028 biennium. The general fund requests exceed projected revenue by $13.2 million; the finance director emphasized that this is a preliminary gap, not an adopted deficit. The mayor and senior staff will reconcile requests before presenting a balanced proposed budget on October 6, with adoption targeted for November 17. No contract awards, bids, or vendor selections were approved at this meeting. Council did approve a motion to excuse an absent member.

Capital and operating requests included $96.9 million across capital and utility funds, of which just under $70 million was identified as construction and equipment. Major project requests included $12.5 million for the State Route 224/Red Mountain improvements, $8.3 million for the Belmont reservoir, and $13.8 million for the wastewater treatment expansion; transportation requests also included pavement maintenance and intersection improvements. Departments requested two street plow trucks and a bucket truck, while police requests included four officers and a records specialist, with related vehicle costs discussed. Community Development requested $800,000 for land-use legal support, planning assistance, and an economic development plan revision. The street fund also faces a funding gap because its expected general-fund transfer is not included in the current requests. These are requests for consideration, not approved spending or procurement actions.