11/02/26 Council Meeting

The City of Sumner City Council meeting and budget study session took place November 2, 2026. The consent agenda included approval of $8,300,262.31 in checks and electronic payments and several infrastructure-related actions: a roadway curve-warning design contract award, a change-order ratification for systemic curve improvements, sidewalk repairs and water-main relocation, job-order contracting for Phase 2 of the Harrison and State Street sewer project, and Change Order No. 4 for the City Hall restroom project. The agenda was moved and seconded for adoption, but the transcript does not clearly capture the vote. Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2981, changing City Hall hours. A public hearing was held on the proposed 2027 property-tax levy; staff described a permitted 1% levy increase plus revenue from new construction and improvements, with an estimated $8.30 annual increase for the average single-family resident. No public comments were received, and the levy resolution is scheduled for consideration November 16.

In the budget study session, officials reviewed available balances and unfunded requests, reporting approximately $21.947 million in potentially available resources after excluding restricted funds, though council members emphasized preserving reserves for future needs. They discussed potential funding for ADA curb ramps, street trees, Loyalty Park turf, Hunt Avenue reconstruction, a downtown parking study, East Main design work, a B&O tax study, and other projects. Members debated funding levels and sources, including use of the council strategic reserve and Fund 002; no final allocations were approved, and the discussion was continued to the following week before the budget ceiling is set for public hearings. A possible contribution to Sumner Main Street Association’s downtown lighting project was also discussed, with staff noting lodging-tax funding as a possible process; no decision was made. Staffing requests were deferred for further discussion.