September 29, 2026 City Council Workshop

The City of West Richland City Council held a budget workshop on September 29, 2026, to discuss the 2027–2028 budget; no council action or votes were taken. Finance staff described a projected $13.2 million gap between requested General Fund spending and revenue, alongside an ongoing street-fund shortfall. Options discussed included forming a transportation benefit district (TBD), with possible council-approved sales tax and vehicle-fee options for eligible transportation work, and a voter-approved property-tax levy lid lift. These measures were discussed for further consideration, not adopted. Staff noted that TBD revenue would be restricted to transportation purposes and entail additional reporting and workload. The mayor said a city administrator position would be postponed to the 2029 budget and that the proposed budget would be presented October 13.

Budget reductions under consideration included phasing new positions and deferring one-time equipment, vehicle, and planning requests—estimated at up to $5.2 million and $3.9 million over the biennium, respectively—as well as possible service reductions. Discussion touched on police staffing and vehicles, park maintenance, the library contract (estimated at about $600,000 annually), and the Flock camera contract fee, but no specific purchasing decision or contract award was made. Council members expressed differing views on the scale of potential tax measures and cuts; the mayor summarized general willingness to explore both a levy lid lift and a TBD while staff scrutinize requests and prepare a balanced budget.