Anacortes council adopts 2025 year-end budget amendment after finance director warns of reserve use The Anacortes City Council approved Ordinance 5016, a 2025 year‑end budget amendment, after Finance Director Steve Hoagland reported the general fund will rely on approximately $1.4 million in reserves under the current 2026 budget and proposed reallocation of property‑tax allocations to shore up the general fund.

The Anacortes City Council just passed a crucial budget amendment that might reshape the city's financial future, but can they avoid relying on dwindling reserves?

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Anacortes council approves 2025 year-end budget amendment after finance update The Anacortes City Council approved Ordinance 5016, a 2025 year‑end budget amendment covering multiple funds. Finance Director Steve Hoagland reported a projected $1.4 million general-fund gap for 2026 to be partly covered by reserves and previewed a Q1 property-tax reallocation.

Anacortes City Council just approved a budget amendment that reveals a looming $1.4 million gap in 2026 funding—could this impact essential services?

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Anacortes adopts 2026 operating budget and 2026–2031 capital facilities plan amid warnings on declining revenue Council approved the 2026 operating budget (Ordinance 50092026) and the 2026–2031 capital facilities plan (Ordinance 50102026). Members noted declining general revenue driven by property‑tax constraints and discussed limited flexibility because many capital projects are funded by restricted revenue.

The Anacortes City Council has adopted a crucial 2026 budget while facing tough challenges from declining revenue and limited funding flexibility.

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Anacortes council advances 2026 budget draft, debates opioid-settlement use for STAR Center and local programs Council opened public hearings on the 2026 operating budget and Capital Facilities Plan, approved a process to finalize the budget Nov. 24, and debated allocating opioid-settlement funds — staff proposed $80,000 toward a school resource officer and $30,000 to the Anacortes Family Center while some council members urged preserving more for the county STAR Center.

The Anacortes Council's heated debate over the 2026 budget and opioid-settlement funds could reshape local services, with crucial decisions looming on November 24.

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Anacortes reviews $115.4 million 2026 draft budget and weighs opioid‑settlement allocations for local programs At a Nov. 17 public hearing, Anacortes staff presented a $115.4 million draft 2026 operating budget and capital facilities plan. Council debated using opioid‑settlement reserves for a School Resource Officer and the county STAR Center, setting a tentative plan to monitor cash flow and finalize allocations in spring 2026.

Anacortes is facing tough decisions with a proposed $115.4 million budget that could impact essential services like library programs and youth mental health support.

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Council debates uses of opioid settlement funds amid 2026 budget workshop Finance reported $332,000 received in opioid settlement funds to date, $317,515 available after a $15,000 expenditure, and projected $47,942 additional receipts for a 2026 total of $365,457. Council discussed spending priorities including full funding for the school resource officer ($80,000), Anacortes Family Center support, and $75,000 over five

The Anacortes City Council is weighing crucial decisions on how to allocate $365,457 from opioid settlement funds to enhance community safety and support local programs.

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Anacortes mayor proposes 2026 budget with layoffs, 1% property-tax increase and utility tax hikes to close $9 million gap Mayor Miller presented a proposed 2026 City of Anacortes budget that seeks to close a reported $9 million shortfall through staff reductions, reallocations and revenue increases, including a 1% property-tax increase and a proposed 2% utility-tax hike. The draft would eliminate 8.9 full‑time equivalents and defer capital projects while reallocating,

Mayor Miller's proposed 2026 budget for Anacortes aims to close a staggering $9 million gap through layoffs, tax increases, and tough decisions on city services.

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Anacortes mayor presents balanced 2026 budget after $9 million shortfall; council begins public-works review Mayor Miller presented a proposed 2026 budget that staff says closed an approximately $9 million gap with a mix of expense reductions, revenue changes and staffing reductions. Council and staff began a detailed public-works budget workshop and asked for clearer capital-project prioritization and a centralized opioid-funds schedule.

Mayor Miller's proposed 2026 budget for Anacortes seeks to close a $9 million shortfall through significant cuts and tax increases, all while aiming to maintain essential public safety services.

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