City Council Meeting of October 5, 2026

The October 5, 2026 Lakewood City Council meeting included several procurement- and budget-related discussions, but no contract awards, RFPs, or vendor selections were identified. Council unanimously approved Ordinance 854, making development-regulation amendments that included changes to subdivision documentation, online appeals, and limited exceptions for approved weekend and night construction. Council also passed Resolution 2026-07 supporting Pierce Transit Proposition 1, which would maintain and expand local transit service through a sales tax measure before voters. Ordinance 855, which would have allowed cannabis businesses in Lakewood, failed 4–3 after an amendment concerning the ordinance’s relationship to state law was approved.

The city manager outlined budget pressures and upcoming budget workshops, citing an approximately $1.8 million decrease from prior-year revenue forecasts and the potential loss of more than $1 million in gambling-tax revenue. The draft budget includes possible vehicle and equipment replacements, municipal-building maintenance, transportation and parks projects, and a potential parks maintenance position; staff said some items may be deferred or revised before the budget returns for consideration. The manager also said the city may evaluate whether to continue contracting for some surface-water services, such as street sweeping and vacuum-truck work, or bring them in-house. A 1% property-tax levy increase was expected to be proposed, and council members discussed whether human-services funding allocations may need adjustment. No procurement approval resulted from these budget discussions.