Committee of the Whole Council - City Council Retreat, July 27, 2026

The City of Issaquah held a Committee of the Whole Council retreat on July 27, 2026, focused primarily on the 2027-2028 biennial budget planning. The meeting included a detailed presentation by the Director of Finance on revenue and expense trends, highlighting moderate revenue growth but expenses outpacing revenues, necessitating careful budget alignment. Council members discussed priorities including fiscal sustainability, core infrastructure maintenance, emergency management, human services funding, arts funding, and public safety investments. Key procurement-related topics included the anticipated $20-26 million police station remodel funded through public safety sales tax, the use of affordable housing funds for behavioral health and housing projects, and potential investments in fixed-route transit versus Metroflex services. The council provided input on budget priorities and community engagement strategies, with plans to finalize the mayor's preliminary budget for presentation in the fall. No immediate contract awards or vendor selections were made, but the discussion set the stage for upcoming procurement and capital improvement projects.