Issaquah City Council Meeting October 5, 2026

At its October 5, 2026 meeting, the Issaquah City Council considered capital spending, the proposed 2027–28 budget, and East Side Fire and Rescue funding. The Council unanimously authorized moving roughly $3.4 million in remaining funds from the Maple Street property acquisition into capital project FC054 for City Hall tenant improvements, with the amount to be included in a subsequent 2026 budget amendment. Planned work includes design and engineering, roof and HVAC improvements, IT infrastructure, interior modifications, signage, and related site work. No vendor selection or contract award was reported. The Council also held the first required public hearing on the biennial budget; additional hearings are scheduled for November 2, with budget adoption planned for November 16.

On East Side Fire and Rescue funding, the Council passed a 5–2 motion expressing support for a revised budget of $84.94 million for 2027 and $90.9 million for 2028, including funding for three positions (a finance position, specialty mechanic, and public records position). The motion also called for an annual overtime ceiling of $5 million, with costs above that amount funded through service-reduction savings, and an outside consultant to review operations and identify potential efficiencies. This was Council guidance to its representatives on the Fire and Rescue board, not final approval of that agency’s budget; members discussed differing cost estimates for the positions and concerns about staffing, service levels, and long-term affordability.