# Regular City Council Meeting - Oct. 21, 2026

At the City of Ephrata’s Regular City Council meeting on October 21, 2026, staff presented the third-quarter financial report. The city had completed its financial, accountability, and federal audits, all reported as clean. General Fund revenue was supported by one-time sales tax from community and Walmart construction projects, while recurring sales-tax revenue was trending somewhat low. Staff noted that water/sewer construction spending was below budget because some projects were delayed and others were completed under budget; transportation district revenue was above expectations, largely due to grants and loans.

Council considered Resolution R26-070, an interlocal purchasing agreement with TIPS that would allow the city to use energy-savings performance contracting for building renovations, beginning with 250 Basin Street. Staff said McKinstry was leading the effort and described the approach as offering collaboration, reduced city risk, and a guaranteed project cost at about 50% design. A motion to adopt was made, but the transcript does not capture a vote. Council also approved the use of a $1,000 Walmart donation for the annual Shop with a Cop program; one member recused, and the remaining vote was recorded in favor. Staff said the program would seek community donations after becoming ineligible for a previous grant. The transcript also includes discussion of routing eligible employee sick-leave payouts into HRA/VEBA accounts, but the related vote is not captured.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** October 22, 2026

### Sources
- [Regular City Council Meeting - Oct. 21, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEqKbt4L-4M) - The City of Ephrata