# Public Works & Library Council Committee Meeting (Part 1) | October 14, 2026

The City of Mount Vernon Public Works & Library Committee met on October 14, 2026, to begin reviewing the preliminary 2027 budget. City staff described roughly $4 million in proposed cuts, limited discretionary spending, and a draft citywide budget of about $1.084 billion across all funds. The general fund budget uses $931,000 in one-time funds and projects reserves at 15.7%, just above the 15% policy minimum. The draft includes a nearly $1.2 million law-enforcement grant to support three police officers, with an estimated $102,000 general-fund impact; a $705,000 increase for the public-defense contract; about $1 million in repairs and maintenance contracts, including approximately $220,000 for OpenGov and $197,000 for body-camera maintenance; and a $286,000 increase in professional services. Proposed transportation work includes about $2.7 million in street improvements, contingent in part on Transportation Benefit District funding. Equipment requests include approximately $106,000 for servers and networking equipment, and the budget also carries vehicle and equipment purchases forward. No procurement award or spending vote was recorded in the transcript; the budget remains preliminary, with further department reviews and public hearings scheduled.

The committee also began discussion of a proposed study of the Skagit River bridge. Public Works staff said the project concerns a state highway and national freight corridor, and that the proposed KPFF study scope and regulatory requirements have grown beyond the concept previously discussed. The study was expected to rely on Transportation Benefit District funding, including a further $700,000 that is not currently appropriated; continuation would depend on the district funding measure. Options raised included proceeding with the study, waiting for the comprehensive plan process, or pursuing state involvement. No decision was captured before the transcript ended.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Information Technology
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 14, 2026

### Sources
- [Public Works & Library Council Committee Meeting (Part 1) | October 14, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQfx9d_DQnU) - City of Mount Vernon, WA - Government Television