To meet a projected $3.9 million deficit in its 2025 budget, the City of Olympia is planning to cut 26.75 positions across various departments.
At yesterday's city council meeting, City Manager Jay Burney described the proposed budget, staff cuts and described a new full-time council support assistant position, which the council members have requested.
To close the budget gap, the plan includes $3.2 million in general fund reductions through a mix of staffing cuts, delayed hires, and permanent position eliminations. An additional $2.4 million in baseline adjustments are also factored into the budget proposal.
The proposed elimination of 26.75 positions, according to Burney, is expected to result in $3.6 million in savings by 2026. The position includes one assistant city manager position and others that will become vacant mid-year.
When the city started the budget-balancing process, Olympia's projected budget deficit was $11.8 million and reduced to $3.9 million through planned reductions and adjustments.
"As of this evening, our current budget deficit is around $3.9 million. It will grow slightly once we add a council support position," Burney said at Tuesday's city council meeting.
The city council held a second and final public hearing on the 2025 preliminary operating budget, utility rates, general charges, and impact fees. No community members participated in the process.
According to the city manager, Olympia's general fund balance is estimated at $18.6 million in 2024. The plan will use the balance to cover the projected $3.9 million deficit for the 2025 budget. This will leave the city with $14.6 million in fund balance after the 2025 budget is finalized.
At the city council study session held on Oct. 22, Mayor Dontae Payne and Councilmembers Dani Madrone and Robert Vanderpool were vocal in their desire for a dedicated council support assistant.
Madrone proposed that the city manager bring back a proposal to add at least one new full-time equivalent position dedicated to council support. She suggested the new position could help free up council members' time to focus more on policy research and advancing referrals.
A council referral is the introduction of a policy proposal or other legislation made by one of the council members for consideration by the council. In each case, there is a “prime sponsor” and two co-sponsors, all of whom are city council members.
Vanderpool agreed that the council needs more support, especially as the needs and responsibilities of the council have grown over time, and noted the importance of supporting council members who may not have a policy background to help them effectively advance initiatives.
Payne emphasized that the council's needs have vastly changed from 1995 to 2025, with increased demands from social media, emails, community events, and others.
In the same meeting, Burney committed to exploring options, including potentially using an "at risk" position for the council support role, which could save a job.
At an earlier meeting, the council discussed the likely duties of the proposed council support assistant. These include:
Council members also discussed the salary level for this position, with some suggesting that the compensation range be the same as that of the executive assistant to the city manager. Assistant City Manager Debbie Sullivan proposed that the city's human resources department recommend compensation.
The city council is scheduled to hold a final budget-balancing session on November 19, then adopt the 2025 operating and Capital Facilities Plan budget on December 10.
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Porter
I'll do it for $15hr
Thursday, November 14 Report this
wolfmanner
More woke policies from the Marxist City Council.
Thursday, November 14 Report this
OlyBlues
So at the same time the city is millions in debt from reckless overspending, needing to lay off or not hire 26+ positions, the city council demands they have their own assistant so they can do less work but seem to have plenty of time to push for reparations? This is so irresponsible and shows a total disregard for fiscal responsibility. The city is out of money. But just last year they decided to give huge raises and bolster their already bloated communications staff. Time to start laying them off asap! So much wasteful spending at the city..
Friday, November 15 Report this
UxAxDT
Everything the higher ups do is so performative in nature it makes me sick. More toothless bureaucracy for bureaucracies sake. Tons of the work they do are for show at the expense of things that actually makes this town function. I'm not some conservative loon either, but some of the crazy **** they do like reparation's, stretch codes, etc.: its just not the place of city government, ESPECIALLY a small town like Olympia to get involved in. Let that happen at the state or national level, focus on making this town vibrant, safe, and provide the amenities we need to have a better life in our shared commons.
Friday, November 15 Report this