Kent City Council Meeting - October 6, 2026

The October 6, 2026, Kent City Council meeting included the first public hearings on the City’s 2027–2028 biennial budget and 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Staff presented a biennial budget of $944.2 million, including $291.1 million in the General Fund, and a six-year CIP totaling $238.4 million, with $80.6 million included in the biennial budget. The status-quo budget includes 26 full-time positions, 20 supported by previously approved grants, and anticipates about $3.4 million in revenue from scheduled B&O tax rate increases for warehouse and office space. The city expects opioid settlement receipts of $147,000 in 2027 and $119,000 in 2028, primarily for community court support. Both hearings were closed without public testimony or written comments; the budget and CIP were not adopted at this meeting.

Council unanimously approved awarding the Eastridge Park renovation contract to L.W. Sundstrom, Inc. for $633,480.72 and authorized the mayor to sign the necessary documents, subject to final terms acceptable to the city attorney and parks director. The project, funded through the parks capital budget, will add playground equipment, accessible paths, seating, picnic tables, trees, and a street-side fence; staff reported that the apparent low bidder withdrew and that seven bids had been received. Council also unanimously adopted Resolution 2112 supporting Kent School District Proposition 1, a replacement educational programs and operations levy for the November 3, 2026 ballot. The consent calendar items A–L were approved, but their details were not provided in the transcript.