Yakima City Council Study Session and Public Hearings on Property Tax and 2026 Budget – November 12, 2025

The Yakima City Council held a study session and two public hearings on November 12, 2025, convened at 5:05 p.m. and adjourned at 7:14 p.m. The meeting focused on the 2026 property tax levy and the 2026 Preliminary Mid-Biennial Budget, which faces a structural deficit. Council adopted ordinances authorizing the property tax levy and directed staff to seek revenue-neutral alternatives for several community facilities and services facing closure or cuts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anne Knapp, City resident, opposed continued financial support for the Yakima Valley Trolleys given current budget challenges.
• Charlene Freeman, City resident; Gary Bailey, City resident; Betty Jaeger, County resident; and Lois Cruikshank, Selah resident, spoke in opposition to the potential closure of the Harman Senior Center, emphasizing its role in socialization, nutrition, and therapeutic programs for seniors.
• Tony Sandoval, City resident, addressed Councilmember Glenn's use of the term "illegal aliens" at a prior meeting, requesting respectful language toward undocumented individuals.
• Jonathan Hood, City resident and city employee, opposed the closure of Yakima Fire Department Station 92, citing its strategic importance for response times.
• Kenton Gartrell, County resident and City property owner, spoke in opposition to the annual property tax levy, reminding council of their campaign pledges against new taxes.
• Curt Wilson, City resident and Executive Director of the Downtown Association, supported the property tax levy for public safety and opposed closures of the Harman Center and Lions Pool.
• Jeanna Hernandez, City resident, supported the levy, noting that the 1% property tax increase is state-allowed and necessary to fund public safety.
• Amanda Nelson, TJ Mullinax, and Mary Guernsey, County residents, spoke in support of the levy and opposed closures, particularly of Lions Pool, which is the only indoor facility for high school swim teams in the Yakima Valley.
• Mike Mullen, Pamela Mullen, and Linda Lockwood, City residents, spoke in opposition to the potential closure of the Harman Center, describing it as a lifeline for seniors.

Discussion Items

• Property Tax Ordinances (4A): Finance Director Craig Warner presented the proposed 2026 ad valorem tax levy, explaining that state law allows a 1% annual increase plus new construction. The city’s current levy is $22.36 million; the request is $23.20 million, including a $250,000 buffer. The council heard public testimony before voting.
• 2026 Preliminary Mid-Biennial Budget (4B): City Manager Vicki Baker and Finance Director Craig Warner provided an overview of the $9 million structural deficit, noting that a proposed $6 million levy lid lift failed. The budget includes $3 million in Police cuts, $1.75 million in Fire cuts, and $1.4 million in Parks and Recreation cuts. Department heads detailed the impacts:
  • Fire Chief Aaron Markham: Closing Station 92 would eliminate 12 positions (three shifts of three plus one relief), increase response times, and potentially raise insurance ratings for nearby residents. The department’s budget is 89% personnel.
  • Police Chief Shawn Boyle: Reducing 13 positions (12 officers, one sergeant, four community service officers, one analyst supervisor, one analyst) would bring officer strength from 148 (2017) to 124 (2026), well below the national average of 2.4 officers per thousand (city would be at 1.2). Proactive policing and response times would suffer.
  • Parks and Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson: Proposed cuts include closing the Harman Center, Lions Pool, and Washington Fruit Community Center, plus a 16% reduction in park maintenance (less mowing, bathroom closures). 31 positions (23 part-time/seasonal) would be cut.
• Council discussed alternatives to closing Station 92, including an EMS levy or other revenue options, but no immediate alternative was presented.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance A (Intent to increase levy up to 101%): Motion to pass carried 5–2 (Berg and Roy voting no). ORDINANCE NO. 2025-031.
• Ordinance B (Fix and levy ad valorem taxes): Motion to pass carried 7–0. ORDINANCE NO. 2025-032.
• Harman Center: Motion by Brown, seconded by Berg, to direct staff to develop a budget that is revenue neutral to the General Fund carried 7–0.
• Lions Pool: Motion by Brown, seconded by Deccio, to direct the City Manager to speak with school districts about a joint cost-sharing agreement carried 7–0.
• Washington Fruit Center: Amended motion by Byers, seconded by Herrera, to direct staff to develop a revenue-neutral budget for the General Fund carried 7–0.
• Franklin Pool: Motion by Brown, seconded by Deccio, to add Franklin Pool design and repair to the 2026 legislative priorities carried 6–1 (Byers voting no).
• Lean Performance Study: Motion by Brown, seconded by Berg, to formally request a Lean performance study from the Washington State Auditor's Center for Government Innovation (RCW 43.09.470) to evaluate all General Fund departments and related enterprise funds carried 7–0.