Council Roundup: Preliminary 2025-26 Budget introduced

The City Council this week was presented with the city manager’s Preliminary 2025-2026 Operating Budget and the 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Plan. Over the next several weeks, the council will hear about the various elements of the detailed budget as proposed by the city manager. The council will review, deliberate and eventually adopt the proposed budget and CIP later this fall. Public engagement remains a key component of this process, with budget community information sessions scheduled for Sept. 23, 24 and 26.

Additionally, there are two more budget public hearings at council meetings next Tuesday, Sept. 24, and Nov. 12. For more details, the full preliminary budget documents, including a new electronic budget book, are available at 2025-26 Preliminary Budget. The presentation highlighted key investments in housing, human services, community engagement and amenities, as well as public safety and future resilience, among other areas.

Staff reiterated this budget cycle is expected to have flat revenue growth, meaning Bellevue is in a stable and positive financial position, while remaining cautious and prudent, as is consistent with our long-standing policies and practices. The full discussion and presentation are available on video replay through Bellevue Television. The council also voted to select acting City Manager Diane Carlson to continue in the permanent city manager role, pending the creation and approval of an employment contract. More details are available in a city manager hiring news announcement. In other business, the council unanimously adopted the preferred Bellevue Airfield Park Master Plan update.

The recommendations were based on multiple years of community engagement, the recommendation of the Parks & Community Services Board and environmental review. The council supported conserving tree canopy and habitat, as well as conducting environmental rehabilitation on certain areas of the site.