Finance officer outlines priorities for 2027 budget; council asks for fee schedule update

Finance Officer Jeff Balentine presented an outline of the city’s priorities and reviewed the schedule of upcoming deadlines as the City of Soap Lake begins drafting its preliminary 2027 budget. He told the council the city’s Vision Plan will be updated as part of the Comprehensive Plan Update and said city planning staff will provide data to help project future fee schedule changes.

Councilmembers Bryson, Carson and Woodhouse signaled they want the fee schedule updated; the minutes record that councilmembers asked for guidance on how to proceed with the preliminary 2027 budget. The minutes note that the schedule of upcoming deadlines was reviewed but do not specify deadline dates or funding amounts. The session was convened at 9:01 AM and adjourned by consensus at 12:30 PM.

The budget workshop did not record formal motions or votes on budget items. Staff (including City Planner Kovach and Finance Officer Balentine) were directed to supply additional data and draft materials for future budget amendments and public hearings tied to the Comprehensive Plan Update and Vision Plan revision. Specific dollar amounts, proposed fee amounts, and the dates for future public hearings were not specified in the minutes.

The meeting took place at the Soap Lake Community Center/Senior Center, 121 2nd Ave SE. Mayor Peter Sharp and the listed staff and councilmembers were present for the workshop.