HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-10-2025 Minutes4
CITY OF
UBURN
WASH I NGTON
CALL TO ORDER
City Council
Study Session
Finance & Internal Services SFA
November 10, 2025 - 5:30 PM
City Hall Council Chambers
MINUTES
Deputy Mayor Cheryl Rakes called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Council
Chambers of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Study Session Meeting was held in person and virtually.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor Cheryl Rakes, Hanan Amer, Kate Baldwin,
Clinton Taylor, and Yolanda Trout -Manuel. Councilmember Lisa Stirgus attended the
meeting virtually via Zoom and Councilmember Tracy Taylor was excused.
Mayor Nancy Backus and the following staff members present included: Deputy City
Attorney Paul Byrne, Assistant Chief of Police Samuel Betz, Director of Public Works
Ingrid Gaub, Director of Finance Jamie Thomas, Financial Planning Manager Frank
Downard, Human Resources and Risk Management Director Candis Martinson, Parks,
Arts, and Recreation Director Julie Krueger, Utilities Engineering Manager Ryan
Vondrak, and City Clerk Shawn Campbell.
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
There were no modifications to the agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS, AND PRESENTATIONS
There were no announcements, reports, or presentations.
FINANCE AND INTERNAL SERVICES DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Ordinance No. 7004 (Thomas) (60 Minutes)
A presentation to discuss Revenue Requirements, Cost of Service Analysis,
and Rate Design for the Water, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Drainage Utilities
Councilmember Baldwin, Chair of the Finance and Internal Services Special
Focus Area, chaired this portion of the meeting.
Manager Downard introduced Project Manager Brooke Tacia with FCS Group,
who provided Council with an overview of revenue requirements, low income
rate impacts, cost of service study parameters, rate design parameters,
proposed changes to the System Development Charges (SDC) and uses,
methodology for cost development, a review of other jurisdictions SDC's, and
wholesale water rate history and methodology.
Council discussed the low income rate impact analysis, staff time to facilitate
the low income rebates, onsite storm water retention systems, the types of
properties the charges will apply to, and the timeline for SDC payments.
B. Ordinance No. 7008 (Thomas) (10 Minutes)
An Ordinance amending Sections 3.60.010 and 3.60.020 of the Auburn
Municipal Code to authorize an additional one tenth of one percent Sales and
Use Tax for Criminal Justice purposes in accordance with Section 201,
Chapter 350, Laws of 2025, providing for severability, and establishing an
effective date
Director Thomas provided Council with an overview of Ordinance No. 7008
including the details of House Bill 2015, requirements for imposing the Public
Safety Sales and Use Tax, application qualification verification and notification
of intent to collect, increased public safety costs and needs, the revenue
impacts, tax rate comparisons, and the proposed steps for implementation and
funding.
Council discussed benefits to the City from the proposed sales tax increase,
the requirement to impose the sales tax to be able to apply for grants, deadline
for imposing the tax, King County's plans for the funds, criteria for imposing the
tax, and increases to SCORE costs.
C. Ordinance No. 7000 (Thomas) (30 Minutes)
An Ordinance amending the City's 2025-2026 Biennial Budget
Director Thomas provided Council with an overview of Ordinance No. 7000
including the upcoming items for Council action and the three major
components of the Mid -Biennial Budget Amendment. She discussed major
revenue sources, including the 2026 Preliminary Property Tax levy, the general
fund revenue realignment, regular budget amendments for operational needs,
revenue impacts including adding the .1 % Public Safety Sales Tax and
estimated end fund balance adjustments.
Council discussed improvements at the Auburn Golf Course, the Cumulative
Reserve Fund, police take-home vehicles, and ending fund balances.
D. Ordinance No. 7003 (Thomas) (10 Minutes)
An Ordinance establishing the levy for regular Property Taxes by the City of
Auburn for collection in 2026 for general City operational purposes in the
amount of $25,843,584
Director Thomas provided Council with an overview of Ordinance No. 7003 as
part of Ordinance No. 7000.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
APPROVED this 17th day of November 2025.
C ERYL RAKES, DEPUTY MAYOR Shawn Campbell, City Clerk