Tenino City Council Meeting 09/08/2026

At the September 8, 2026, Tenino City Council meeting, the council approved extending the existing Thurston County Sheriff’s Office law-enforcement contract through December 31, 2026, with no change to its terms, while the parties finalize a longer-term agreement. The mayor requested timely cost estimates for the upcoming budget, including possible use of city police-facility space. The council also approved Ordinance 949 establishing a capital projects debt-service fund, which staff said was recommended by the State Auditor’s Office for tracking payments associated with a curb-related grant and loan. No contract amount or vendor was identified. The city reported ordering the remaining equipment for its solar project and preparing a grant-funded ball-field structure, potentially using a contractor; no award or project cost was specified.

Council members discussed the city’s financial constraints and upcoming budget work. Ordinance 948, authorizing a 0.1% criminal-justice sales and use tax estimated to generate about $80,000, was presented for council action, with implementation expected January 1, 2027, after state processing; the transcript does not clearly capture its final vote. Members also raised concerns about an unintended gambling-tax increase affecting nonprofit organizations and discussed bringing forward a comprehensive proposal, but no corrective action was taken at this meeting.