Tacoma City Council Study Session: Joint Meeting with Library Board, Budget Update, Police Lateral Incentive

On August 26, 2025, the Tacoma City Council held a study session that began with a joint meeting with the Tacoma Public Library Board. The library board and new director Amitha Loneal presented on library impact, collection challenges, and facility needs. Finance Director Andy Cherullo then provided a mid-year budget update, highlighting economic uncertainties and known cost pressures. Finally, Police Chief Patti Jackson presented a lateral incentive program aimed at rapidly filling vacancies. The council also discussed a Council Consideration Request for immigrant support.

Tacoma Public Library Informational Briefing

• Library Director Amitha Loneal presented key metrics: nearly 500,000 visitors, over 50,000 program attendees, 1.7 million items checked out, and 63,000 reference questions answered in the past year, despite 40-hour weeks.
• Collections: Physical materials remain two-thirds of checkouts. E-book demand is growing but licensing costs are high (e.g., $12,000 for a single popular e-book title). The library spent over 40% of its $1.5M collection budget on e-resources in the last year.
• Facilities Condition Assessment: Three of eight library buildings are in poor-to-critical condition. Essential repairs over 5–10 years are estimated at $10 million. A level-of-service study found that current square footage (115,000 sq ft) is only 65% of what is needed (177,000 sq ft) for the city's size.
• Strategic Planning: The library is updating its strategic plan with community input (2,000 survey responses, 15,000 youth ballots). The foundation is growing but has no paid staff.
• Council Discussion: Members asked about e-book market complexity, data collection for fundraising, co-location opportunities, and prioritizing capital needs. President Cobb urged the council to consider the library's role in community health and safety.

Budget Update

• Economic Conditions: Finance Director Andy Cherullo noted consumer spending (60–70% of economic activity) is under pressure from labor market softness, inflation uptick (CPI ~2.7%), and high interest rates (mortgage rates >6%). Tariffs and federal policy uncertainty add risk.
• Year-to-Date Revenues: General fund revenues are on track ($172M projected vs. $172M actual), but the four major revenue sources (business, property, sales, utility taxes) are collectively $3.5M below projection. Business licenses are overstated by $1.5M.
• Year-to-Date Expenditures: $162M spent against $163.5M budget, but after adjusting for timing (e.g., Neighborhood and Community Services underspend), the city is about $2.5M over budget.
• Mid-Biennium Modifications: Known costs include $2M for fire engines, $3.4M for police lateral incentives, $5M and $2M large claims, plus potential police/fire overtime ($2–4M), workers' compensation, and liability fund adjustments. Departments have been asked to submit reduction proposals.
• Council Questions: Members sought clarity on overtime costs, federal grant risks, and revenue options. City manager Allyson Griffith emphasized cost containment and a plan to achieve financial stability by 2029–2030.

Tacoma Police Department Lateral Incentive Program

• Problem: Chronic staffing shortfall with 28 budgeted vacancies (31 by end of August). 64% of patrol officers have less than five years of experience. Mandatory overtime costs average $3.5M annually (49% of police overtime).
• Proposal: A $50,000 hiring incentive (paid over two years: $25,000 upon hire, then $12,500 at one and two years) for in-state lateral peace officers, plus up to 120 hours of floating holidays. Cost: $1.0M for incentives and leave, $2.1M for equipment and vehicles ($1.35M for 15 new vehicles needed regardless). Total general fund request: $3.1M.
• Benefits: Lateral officers can be deployed within 60 days vs. 12–18 months for entry-level. Fully staffing to budgeted levels could be achieved by 2027 (vs. 2029 without the program). The program includes a clawback provision if officers leave within two years.
• Council Concerns: Councilmembers questioned the $50,000 amount given budget constraints, the risk of hiring officers near retirement, and the long-term sustainability. Chief Jackson and Assistant Chief Carl explained that the incentive compensates for loss of off-duty overtime and seniority, and that 40 lateral applicants are awaiting the program's approval. The council also discussed tiering the incentive based on experience.
• Next Steps: The item is scheduled for first reading as an emergency ordinance on September 9, 2025, with appropriation through the mid-biennium modification in October.

Council Consideration Request: Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest

• Councilmember Diaz presented a request for $20,000 from council contingency funds: $8,000 for phone call cards for detainees and $12,000 for the Aid Northwest welcome center (which provides food, bus passes, and support upon release). The detention center is near capacity (~1,562 detainees as of August 1). The request is co-sponsored by Councilmembers Bushnell and Walker.
• Discussion: Councilmembers expressed support but questioned ongoing sustainability. City staff will report on a past donation portal for legal funds. The council will consider the request at a future meeting.

Other Business

• City Manager Recruitment: The OSAC committee selected Prothman as the executive recruiting firm and confirmed eight competencies. Community engagement sessions will be held before recruitment begins.
• South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District: Councilmember Diaz noted four suggested edits to the code update, which will be voted on as part of the second reading on September 9.

Key Outcomes

• Library: Presentation received; strategic plan refresh ongoing. Council encouraged library to prioritize and clearly define step-one needs.
• Budget: Department reduction proposals due by end of August; council study session on mid-biennium modifications scheduled for October 14, 2025.
• Police Incentive: First reading of ordinance set for September 9, 2025; implementation targeted for fall 2025.
• CCR: To be voted on at a future council meeting.
• Executive Session: Council convened into closed session to discuss potential litigation and labor strategy.