The West Richland City Council on Nov. 18 approved Ordinance 26‑25, the mid‑biennial review and amendment to the 2025‑26 budget, following a staff presentation that identified revenue adjustments, grant reallocations and several corrections to previously adopted figures.

Finance Director Erin Gwynn presented the amendment, saying, “This amendment authorizes an overall increase to the 2025‑26 appropriation in the amount of $1,480,563 and recognizes an increase in resources in the amount of $3,623,294, bringing the revised budget total to $159,253,179.” The changes include an increase in projected sales‑tax receipts, reductions in grant revenue tied to a Department of Commerce periodic update grant, and corrections for expenditures that were missed in the original budget.

The amendment recognizes several new items: a temporary planner funded by a $118,500 transfer from the cumulative reserve (position to terminate no later than Dec. 31, 2026), $22,000 for a backup pump for a dewatering system, and $1,313,435 to account for contractor retainage related to parks deferred maintenance. Gwynn said the grant reduction reflects a shift of work to a regional partner and that the dollars remain available at the state level and may be returned via a future amendment.

Council members asked clarifying questions about increased credit card fees (driven by higher card usage and larger bill amounts) and the Department of Commerce grant reduction; Gwynn explained the shift to a regional effort reduced the city’s direct grant expense but not the overall project funding. With no public testimony, the hearing was closed and the ordinance passed on a council voice vote.

The ordinance does not appropriate all future project funds; it updates projections and places some items—such as CIP projects—on the city’s planning schedule where funding can be appropriated later. The city’s next steps include implementing the personnel change and ordering the backup pump identified in the amendment.

Ordinance 26‑25: Approved (voice vote).