Yelm City Council 10/27/2026

The Yelm City Council meeting on October 27, 2026 included a first reading and public hearing on the proposed FY 2027–2028 biennial budget, estimated at $8,319,504 in citywide expenditures. The preliminary budget proposes several staffing changes and does not include a new tax or revenue source. Council discussed the 2027 property-tax levy, including an estimated $1,963,641 in regular property-tax revenue and the option of a 1% increase that staff estimated would add roughly $18,000; no decision was made, and further discussion is planned for November 10. The capital presentation covered road, water, park, and equipment plans, grant funding, and an expected $1.7 million annual payment on the ecology loan, which is why no sewer capital projects were budgeted for the next biennium. Staff also said they may bring forward a policy to raise the capital-asset threshold from $5,000 to $10,000.

The council considered a public works contract with Active Construction, Inc. for the 2026 Creek Street water-main improvements, not to exceed $1,597,597, and an RH2 Engineering construction-management amendment for $123,000; motions and seconds were recorded for both items, though the transcript does not clearly capture their final vote results. Other procurement and funding matters included a planned restroom at the Veteran Memorial Park, estimated at about $340,000, and discussion of grant-funded projects and annual police body-camera costs. The council approved a 50-year, five-year-increment use-agreement extension with the Boys & Girls Club of Thurston County. Staff also announced plans to issue an RFQ to select a new prosecutorial-services firm for 2027 and described a forthcoming franchise agreement with Redline Communications to extend fiber service to underserved areas.