# Mountlake Terrace City Council Work Session - September 24, 2026

The Mountlake Terrace City Council work session on September 24, 2026, reviewed the draft 2027 legislative agenda, utility rates, and several city fee and code proposals. The legislative agenda identifies a $1.5 million state capital-budget request for the Lake Ballinger Center (Mountlake Terrace Senior Center) as the city’s top priority. The lobbyist also cited prior state allocations of $800,000 for library roof and HVAC replacement and more than $5 million for the Main Street project, and outlined potential advocacy on city-revenue mitigation, court workload costs, insurance expenses, and infrastructure funding. Council members expressed support for the staff-recommended utility rate scenario—6% for water, 6% for sewer, and 3% for stormwater—with a related 2027 financial analysis; the proposal was expected to go to the October 1 consent agenda, not approved at this work session. Staff described infrastructure projects that higher rate scenarios could support, including water-tank seismic work, water-main crossings and replacements, sewer treatment and pipe improvements, and stormwater projects.

The council also reviewed proposed passport-photo fee increases, a five-year recreation fee schedule for 2027–2031 (including a generally larger resident/nonresident price difference and new picnic-shelter reservations), and code changes aligning accessory-structure permit exemptions with international residential code standards. Staff said the fee and code items were intended for the October 1 consent agenda; the transcript does not record final approval or a specific new passport-photo fee. The only recorded vote was to excuse two absent council members. No contract awards, vendor selections, or purchasing approvals were identified.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** September 24, 2026

### Sources
- [Mountlake Terrace City Council Work Session - September 24, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IbeA87_JTI) - CityofMLT