Speed Cameras for Cash? Yakima Considers Creative Revenue Solutions!

Are you ready to pay higher taxes in the city of Yakima? It's a possibility as city officials hold a series of town hall meetings to get feedback from city residents on the 2026 budget. The city is looking at a $9 million shortfall in 2026 and will either have to cut services or raise taxes to fill the gap.

WE COULD VOTE FOR HIGHER TAXES RATHER THAN MASSIVE CUTS

Yakima City Deputy Mayor Matt Brown says the city does have some options including a levy lid lift by asking voters to lift the 1% property tax cap on tax increases. That could raise some $14 million in 2026. Brown says the city also has "one or two sales tax options or a B&O tax on large local companies with earnings of $5 to $10 million dollars.

WHAT ABOUT SPEED CAMERAS TO RAISE MONEY AND SLOW TRAFFIC?

Some people have suggested the city install speed cameras to help slow drivers and raise needed revenue. Yakima City Manager Vicki Baker says they were considered by the council in 2021 and in order for them to pay for themselves the city would need a larger traffic volume because even years after the study of the cameras Yakima's traffic still isn't busy enough to justify the cost of the cameras.

HOW ABOUT RED LIGHT CAMERAS TO CATCH DRIVERS TO RUN RED LIGHTS?

Red Light cameras were also studied by the council back in 2010 and were also found to be to costly for the city and not a future revenue generator. Yakima Police also say they don't know if the complicated administration process for red light cameras would be worth the minimal impact they would have on local traffic.
So the city does have options like raising taxes but those higher taxes could be offset with city budget cutting. The council will have to make a decision soon because the 2026 budget, though $9 million short must be balanced according to state law.