11/04/2026 Federal Way City Council - Regular Meeting

The Federal Way City Council regular meeting on November 4, 2026, addressed procurement, grants, fees, and the 2027–2028 budget. Council approved consent-agenda items including a contract award for an agenda management system, Axon licenses for the prosecutor’s office, acceptance of a Washington Department of Commerce grant to renovate the Patrick Maher Room emergency operations center, and police employee retention bonuses funded by a state grant. It also approved tourism enhancement grant recommendations totaling approximately $275,000 for 2027 events, including proposals involving the Bellevue Club, Children’s Dance Theater Foundation, Mayberry Productions, Pacific Raceways, Beachfest, and Marine Tech. One separate tourism grant application was pulled after staff confirmed the proposed event had no venue; staff said the applicant could apply again under different circumstances. The mayor reported that the Operations and Maintenance facility opened on time and on budget.

Council reviewed a balanced 2027–2028 budget of roughly $400 million, with no new taxes and reserves fully funded; the proposed 2027 property tax levy was estimated at $12.7 million. Officials noted rising insurance, jail, and debt-service costs, and deferred or paused some vehicle replacement and real-estate-excise-tax-funded infrastructure projects. The fee schedule was approved with the community-center fees considered separately; that portion passed 6–1, while the other fee schedule passed unanimously. A proposed accessory dwelling unit traffic-impact fee increase was postponed for discussion until January. First readings of the budget amendment, 2027 property-tax levy, and biennial budget ordinances were forwarded to the November 17 meeting for second reading and enactment. Council also advanced a zoning ordinance establishing a density bonus for qualifying affordable housing on property owned or controlled by religious organizations.