Yakima City Budget Crisis: Police, Fire, Services at Risk At Next Meeting
The next two Yakima City Council meetings are perhaps the most important meetings of the year. It's the time when council members need to look hard at bottom line numbers and cut millions from the budget.
HERE COMES THE CUT DECISIONS
City council members will hold a budget hearing at the next council meeting set for next Tuesday, November 18. The meeting starts at 5:30 pm.
Some big decisions will have to be made at the meeting as the council needs to fill a $9 million shortfall in the 2026 budget. The council must adopt a balanced budget on December 2.
READ MORE: MAJOR CHANGES AT YAKIMA CROSSWALKS
THE MAYOR SAYS SHE'LL VOTE FOR MAJOR CUTS
Yakima Mayor Patricia Byers says she expects major cuts to happen including cuts in police and fire and at the Harman Senior Center and city pools like Lions and Franklin Pools. The new aquatic center however will not be impacted. Byers says she's more inclined to support major budget cuts rather than trying to find city money to save city services.
THE CITY WANTS MORE PRIVATE INVOLVEMENT
Byers says she wants to see private citizens, school districts and area non-profit groups to get more involved in funding services that are now funded by city taxpayers including pools and the senior center. She says the city needs to get back to funding the most important services which are police and fire safety.
The Nov. 18th meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at Yakima City Hall, 129 N. 2nd Street.
YOU CAN BE THERE OR WATCH IT ON ZOOM
Live public comment on agenda items via Zoom is available. Click Public Comment | City Council (yakimawa.gov) for instructions and a Public Comment Request Form.
Another option is to call in and listen to the meeting:
Dial 1-253-215-8782
When prompted for the meeting ID enter 954 4753 9047
When prompted for the participant ID enter #
When prompted for the meeting passcode enter 134257
The Nov. 18th Yakima City Council regular meeting will air live at 5:30 pm on Y-PAC, Charter Spectrum Channel 194, and stream live here.
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