Washougal City Council Workshop: New Park Naming, Grants, and 2025 Financial Review — May 11, 2026

The Washougal City Council held a workshop on Monday, May 11, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 6:34 PM via Zoom. The agenda included presentations on park naming and Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grants, a year-end financial review for 2025, and reports from the city manager, mayor, and council members. No public comments were received.

Park Naming and RCO Grants

• Park Naming: Joe Walsh, Community Services & Strategy Director, reported that the Parks Board recommends naming the town center park "Washougal Town Center Park." A resolution will be brought to council on May 26, 2026.
• RCO Grants: The city submitted three grant applications at the end of April:
  • Sandy Swimming Hole: An acquisition and development grant to expand parking from 18 spaces to nearly 80, with a waiver of retroactivity to cover the cost of property already acquired.
  • Schmid Family Park (Phase I): Two grants applied for (in different categories) to fund basic amenities, including signage, wayfinding, shoreline restoration, and an overlook area. The grants are 50-50 matches, and both require council resolutions by July (to be brought in June).
• Discussion: Council members discussed parking capacity, potential pay parking, maintenance costs, and the condition of existing parks, particularly Lower Hathaway Park/Bates Field, which was described as in deplorable condition with dog feces and poor parking. Council members expressed support for improving existing parks and highlighted the challenge of funding park maintenance and capital projects. City Manager David Scott noted that park impact fees are approximately $6,831.05 per single-family residence and are used to leverage grants.

2025 Year-End Financial Review

• Presentation: Daniel Layer, Finance Director, presented the year-end review for 2025, covering key economic indicators (federal, state, county) and the city's financial performance.
• General and Street Funds: The 2025 budget anticipated using $1.6 million in reserves, but actual usage was $1.2 million, resulting in a net surplus of $562,000. Total revenues were $22 million, expenditures $23 million. Revenues were 98.5% of budget, up 15.2% from 2024. Property taxes were up 5.8%, sales/use taxes up 6.7%, and utility taxes up 6.5%. Expenditures were 95% of budget, up 12.2%, driven by ARPA fund expenditure, fire truck purchase, comprehensive plan update, and new positions. The general fund ending balance is $4.9 million, with approximately $1.4 million in additional reserves.
• ARPA Funds: All $4.5 million in ARPA funds have been programmed and spent, primarily on the town center project, with smaller projects including railroad crossing improvements, waterfront trail lighting, building upgrades, and security enhancements. None were used for operations.
• Other Funds: The strategic plan implementation fund has a remaining balance; anticipated spending was $372,000 but only $189,000 was spent. Utility funds (water, sewer, stormwater) performed well, with water sales on budget and system development charges slightly above. The city's investments earned approximately $660,000 in interest.
• Discussion: Council members discussed the surplus, potential uses including fleet replacement, park maintenance, and the need to leverage grants. The city's fund balance policy (16% of revenues) and additional reserves for one-time investments were highlighted.

Reports and Communications

• City Manager David Scott: Announced the AWC Annual Meeting on June 25, 2026, with online officer voting; the city can appoint up to three elected officials as voting delegates. Coordinated C-TRAN board appointments following bylaw changes (six small cities share two seats). Reported park impact fees of $6,831.05 per single-family residence.
• Mayor David Stuebe: Deferred.
• Council Members:
  • Mayor Pro Tem David Fritz: Will introduce at the Citizens Academy on May 14; Ivy League event on May 17 (likely at Mabel Kerr Park); traveling to ICSC in Las Vegas; reminded council that the May 26 meeting is on Tuesday due to Memorial Day.
  • Councilmember Michelle Wagner: Thanked Joe Walsh for grant work; congratulated police on True Narc grant; noted Parks Board meeting on May 20 may be canceled; needs alternate for Arts Commission on May 27; praised ARPA spending and ArtsWA visit.
  • Other council members deferred. Student Representative Jake Larzalere deferred.

Key Outcomes

• Park Naming: Resolution to officially name "Washougal Town Center Park" to be presented at the May 26 council meeting.
• RCO Grants: Council resolutions authorizing grant applications to be brought forward in June, with deadlines in July.
• AWC Delegates: City manager to send email requesting elected officials to serve as voting delegates for the June 25 annual meeting.
• C-TRAN Appointments: Noncontroversial motion to coordinate appointments to be brought forward at the next meeting.
• Surplus Funds: The $562,000 general fund surplus may be used for capital needs, including fleet replacement; a supplemental budget request is expected in coming months.
• Next Meeting: The next council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM (workshop at 5:00 PM) due to the Memorial Day holiday.