NEWS DETAILS

Oct. 1 marks the publication of my first proposed budget since I was appointed City Manager. This is not a solo effort. It is the result of more than six months of work by people in every department who dedicated time, effort, and expertise to close our projected $30 million budget deficit. Together, we identified solutions to some of the root-cause issues that make our structural deficit more challenging. This collective effort reflects our commitment to collaboration, innovation, and fiscal responsibility. 

Over the summer, we closed the deficit for the upcoming biennium by changing the City’s budgeting approach by questioning assumptions, reviewing priorities, and examining legacy processes. Moreover, departments were tasked with carefully evaluating how they use existing resources before requesting additional funding. Actions included updating the City’s Financial Policies to align with our Strategic Plan, planning for appropriate levels of debt so future residents share the costs and benefits of new infrastructure, and eliminating or pausing contributions to funds that are either fully funded or need a fresh look to make sure we are setting aside the right amount of funds for future expenses.  

Even in a constrained budget, the proposed budget includes approximately $2.3 billion in total expenditure across all funds for this biennium, including $846.1 million for the general, street, and fire funds and $706.4 million in capital investments. Instead of focusing on what we can’t do, we should focus on what this substantial public investment enables us to do.  

We are maintaining core services, making strategic investments that advance the City Council’s priorities of community safety, climate action, and equity, and addressing emerging issues. For example, we are increasing funding for public defense by $3.3 million in this biennium. Our capital projects will continue, including construction of the Public Works Operations Center, installation of PFAS filtration systems, adding a new rooftop solar array at Firstenburg Community Center, and piloting electric vehicle charging stations in public parking spaces. We will implement the new Comprehensive Plan and fund efforts to explore annexation in partnership with Clark County.  

Our community has entrusted us with dedicated revenue to address targeted priorities, and this budget reflects that responsibility by using those resources in projects and programs that deliver on the commitments made to voters. We are investing the public’s money from the Affordable Housing Fund and using resources from Proposition 2/Fire Levy and Proposition 5/Police Levy to complete a variety of projects, such as constructing and remodeling Fire Stations 3, 6, and 8; pursuing land acquisition for a Police headquarters; and adding additional police officers. We’ll also continue supporting affordable housing, launch a new rental registration program, and operate our bridge shelter to help address homelessness in Vancouver. 

For a more detailed look at the Proposed Budget, you can watch the recent budget preview during the Council Workshop on Sept. 21, or you can explore the budget document on our budget webpage, which provides more details on each initiative included in the budget. 

In addition to long-term debt, this budget includes a small, proposed increase in the utility tax and programmed increases to utility rates and other city fees to keep up with inflation and project costs, and to carry out Council priorities like the Climate Action Plan. City Council will consider these during the budget deliberation process to ensure they align with their priorities and budget direction. 

As we move into the last phase of the budget process for this biennium, I encourage you to stay engaged and ask questions. I appreciate your perspective and your willingness to adapt as we navigate both opportunities and challenges. The budget will be adopted in November following two workshops, a first reading, and a public hearing that can be viewed on CVTV. You can view the proposed budget on the budget webpage.