Council opens 2026 budget hearing; staff outlines revenues, spending priorities

Mayor Marla Keethler opened the Nov. 19 public hearing on the City of White Salmon’s 2026 preliminary budget, delivering a message that framed the proposal under the theme “Grounded in Responsibility and Growing with Purpose.” Keethler emphasized rebuilding trust, financial transparency and investments in core services.

Director of Finance and Operations Jennifer Neil presented the staff analysis. Neil said the budget is organized into three tiers — mandatory services (police, utilities, finance and interlocal agreements), essential services (planning, permitting, code compliance) and optional services (parks, events, beautification) — and noted that mandatory services account for about 86% of proposed spending. At the all-funds level, Neil reported projected 2026 revenues of roughly $11.3 million and preliminary expenditures of about $9.8 million before beginning and ending fund balances are applied.

Neil highlighted staffing and program items: the City currently operates with 21 full-time and one part-time employee; the 2026 proposal adds one senior accountant and increases seasonal/ internship support, bringing the staffing plan to 22 full-time, one part-time and three seasonal/intern positions. She also described youth-internship proposals (paid and unpaid options), and said the City will begin using the allowable 10% administrative portion of grants to offset staff time for grant administration.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about reserves, audit costs, and specific line items. Neil said general-fund reserve policy currently requires about 10% of operating and maintenance costs (roughly $350,000) and recommended moving toward a best-practice target of 90 days’ cash on hand. She reported that the General Fund ended 2024 stronger than expected and that, despite drawing on fund balances in 2025, the City expects to enter 2026 with approximately 75–80 days’ cash on hand.

Mayor Keethler formally left the public testimony portion open and continued the public hearing to the Dec. 3 Council meeting to allow additional public comment and final Council consideration.