The Newcastle City Council adopted the city's 2026 budget on Nov. 4 after approving two last-minute amendments: returning the events and recreation coordinator to 0.8 full-time equivalent and removing $6,000 from the street fund intended for a GPS-based plow-tracking system.

Finance Director Lindsay Chambers presented the updated budget figures and explained changes since the preliminary budget, including updated property-tax numbers from King County. Chambers said the budget totals (beginning fund balances, revenues and expenditures) matched at $44,403,234 prior to council amendments.

Councilmember Aaron Quigg moved to revert the events coordinator from a proposed 1.0 FTE back to 0.8 FTE. Supporters of the amendment argued the city should manage personnel costs carefully and explore technology efficiencies, while opponents cautioned that the staff member in that role had provided strong service and that reducing to 0.8 FTE risked losing experienced staff. The council approved the amendment by a 4'to'3 vote.

Councilmember Quigg also moved to reduce the street fund budget by $6,000 to omit funding for a GPS snowplow-tracking system. Proponents questioned cost-effectiveness and said staff should seek alternatives; opponents said the tool would provide real-time information for residents. The motion to remove $6,000 passed 4'to'3.

Director Chambers read the amended totals into the record following those votes: the total revenue figure decreased to $25,340,395, expenditures to $27,587,714, and the combined budget total to $44,337,870. With the amendments in place, Councilmember Miranda Sherlock moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-678 adopting the 2026 budget; the council adopted the ordinance unanimously, 7'to'0.

Chambers and city manager Pinkle noted that the personnel adjustments affect the salary schedule included in the ordinance and that some staff salary increases (a 2.7% COLA and potential step increases) apply to eligible nonrepresented employees. City staff said unionized or contract-covered positions were not altered by these votes.

The council directed staff to implement the amended budget and to publish updated budget documents.