Mayor frames preliminary budget as shared effort, warns of structural deficit

The City of Lake Stevens’ mayor opened a special council workshop on Sept. 29 to present the mayor’s preliminary budget and set the timeline for council deliberations and public hearings.

"This budget message is a commitment to face the difficult choices ahead with transparency and accountability together," the mayor said as the meeting opened, asking council and staff to work as a team to protect the city’s long-term stability. Finance Director Lindsay said the administration is aiming to "slow the financial decline in 2027 and stop the decline completely in 2028." The administration recommended a phased approach of structural efficiencies, service-level decisions and revenue options.

Lindsay outlined the calendar for the budget process: department presentations through October, public hearings in November (statutorily required for property-tax and surface-water rates), and a target for council adoption in December. She told council members to place questions in a SharePoint "parking lot" so departmental presentations can answer many items before deliberations.

The presentation made clear the mayor’s preliminary budget includes one-time resources and transfers to balance the near term. Lindsay cautioned that some previous construction sales‑tax receipts and pandemic-recovery funds had been moved into the operating general fund and that the city is relying on one-time funds to bridge a gap in ongoing revenues. She said administration will present options — including fee reviews and revenue tools — for council consideration. No formal motions or votes occurred during the workshop.

The council scheduled remaining department presentations for Oct. 6 and will continue discussions ahead of required November actions on property tax and surface-water rates.