City Manager submits recommended 2027/28 biennial budget to Vancouver City Council

October 1, 2026

Today, City Manager Lon Pluckhahn submitted the recommended 2027/28 biennial budget to the City Council per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW Chapter 35.34). 

“This recommended budget reflects the City’s commitment to responsible management of public resources while making progress on Council and community priorities,” said Lon Pluckhahn. “With state law limiting property tax revenue growth to one percent annually, the cost of maintaining services often rises faster than funding, creating a gap we must responsibly manage. We have balanced the budget while protecting core City services, planning for our future growth, and addressing emerging issues.” 

The City closed a $30 million gap by changing its budgeting approach, questioning past assumptions, reviewing priorities, and examining legacy processes. Actions included aligning the City’s Financial Policies with its Strategic Plan and planning for appropriate debt levels so future residents share the costs and benefits of new infrastructure.   

The recommended budget includes approximately $2.3 billion in total expenditure across all funds for the 2027/28 biennium, including $846.1 million for the general, street, and fire funds and $706.4 million in capital investments.  

The City will present the operating and capital budgets in a series of meetings with the City Council. The Council will then review and vote on the budget at a regular meeting and hold a separate public hearing. 

  • October 5 – City Manager Recommended Budget Work Session 
  • October 12 – Operating Budget Workshop 
  • October 26 – Capital Budget Workshop 
  • November 2 – First Reading of Budget Ordinances 
  • November 16 – Public Hearing, Second Reading and Adoption Hearing 
  • January 1, 2026 – 2027-28 Operating and Capital Budgets go into effect 

The recommended budget document, including the City Manager’s budget message, is available online on the Budget webpage. A dashboard of the proposed operating and capital budget will be available online October 5. 

Media Contact:

Laura Shepard, communications director, laura.shepard@cityofvancouver.us