Goldendale City Council reviewed its proposed 2026 budget on a public hearing and voted to set the city’s regular tax levy for next year.

City staff member Sarah Kazimerik told the council the levy process uses county valuation estimates and that the city may raise the levy rate by up to 1% annually under RCW 84.55.01. “So, in particular, we're here to talk about the levy,” Kazimerik said, noting estimates provided by the county and that a 1% increase would yield about $10,671.

Kazimerik also summarized the budget delivered at the prior meeting: “In total, the expected revenues in our budget are about $8,000,000 and the expected expenses are about 7,500,000.0,” she said, adding the current draft projects a net surplus of “about 583,000 for next year.” Council members questioned whether an apparent $20,000 reduction to parks maintenance would be addressed; staff said the budget can be amended later and that engineering estimates for park projects are still pending.

Council discussed how the city tracks unspent ARPA funds and carryover reserves. A council member said he understood the ARPA-related balance was “a little bit short of a million,” and staff agreed to research historical spending to produce a separate line item or fund so those carryovers are clearly identified.

On action items, the council approved Resolution number 7 48 to establish the regular tax levy for the 2026 budget by voice vote. The council then moved and seconded to accept Ordinance number 15 49, adopting the 2026 budget, for its first reading; the motion carried on voice vote.

The public hearing drew no substantive public testimony on the budget. The council closed the public hearing and approved the consent agenda before moving on to department and airport business.

The next formal steps are the ordinance’s subsequent readings (if required by council rules) and any budget amendments the council chooses to make after reviewing engineering estimates and proposed parks expenditures.