YELM, Wash. — The Yelm City Council on Nov. 25 approved three items that city officials said tidy up infrastructure records and set spending for the coming year.

The council adopted Resolution 664 to vacate utility easements recorded with the Thurston County Auditor (file numbers 4122743, 4140184, 3491192, 4122736 and 4141583) that burden two properties at 16747 Canal Road SE and 9819 Grove Road SE. An applicant representative told the council the water and sewer lines are now abandoned after new connections were made and that the property owner requested the vacation to facilitate development. Councilor Wood moved the resolution; Council member Crossman seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.

The council also approved Ordinance 1137, a mid‑biennium budget amendment. City staff said the ordinance reflects a renegotiation of vehicle rental arrangements that reduces costs across funds, finalizes salary and benefit changes for 2026, and transfers funds to purchase and upfit police vehicles. "We were able to reduce some of our costs for next year," Stephanie Kingazer said while summarizing the changes. The council opened and closed the required public hearing with no public speakers and then adopted the ordinance by voice vote.

Finally, after a short public hearing that drew no comments, the council approved Ordinance 1138 setting the 2026 ad valorem property tax levy. Staff said there were no changes from the first reading and that reserve levels remain in compliance with the city’s reserve policy. Councilor Crossman moved to approve the ordinance; Councilor Hess seconded. The measure passed with two recorded 'nay' votes from Council member Wood and King Geiser.

The meeting minutes show the council handled the votes as routine business; no public testimony was offered on the budget amendment or the tax levy. The council’s actions finalize the ordinance votes taken at the second readings and record the easement vacation requested by the property owner.