August 27, 2026 City Council Meeting

The City of Longview held its City Council meeting on August 27, 2026, where several procurement and budget-related topics were discussed. A contract was awarded to ETC Institute for a community satisfaction survey at a cost of $48,965.34, significantly under the budgeted $125,000, with the survey results expected in January. The council also discussed the city’s curbside recycling program, noting low participation rates and high costs, leading to consideration of discontinuing the program to avoid a sanitation rate increase. Additionally, a one-time retention payment of $500 was proposed for city employees earning less than $50,000 annually, funded by increased sales tax revenue, with the council expressing mixed views and planning a vote at the next meeting. Updates on the firefighters’ pension fund showed strong investment returns and funding status. The meeting included presentations on hotel occupancy tax revenues and expenditures, including funding for the Longview Convention Complex and promotional activities to boost tourism. Potential improvements to the Green Street Recreation Center were also discussed, with plans to explore renovation funding from sales tax revenues. Several economic development announcements highlighted new business investments and job creation in the city. The council agreed to set the recycling program decision for a vote at the next meeting and to consider the employee retention payment proposal in the upcoming budget amendment.