Olympia to hold public hearing on proposed 2023 budget

The Olympia City Council will hold its first public hearing for the 2023 operating budget on Tuesday, October 18.

In a recent city council study session, Olympia City Manager Jay Burney submitted the preliminary 2023 operating budget of $185 million, an increase of $11.7 million or 6.8% from the 2022 adopted budget.

Burney described next year's budget as "balanced and built in accordance with council priorities and shared commitment to cost-effectively providing services."

Burney wants budget allocations for at least 15 new full-time positions on various items in his proposal.

Program proposals

"My preliminary budget takes bold steps in addressing the changing needs of residents and community businesses, particularly in our homelessness and climate programs,” Burney stated concerning the Executive Summary Budget.

“My proposal includes ongoing general fund resources to support two new positions in each of these programs as well as monies to support the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan," added Burney.

To attain the city's greenhouse gas reduction targets, Burney proposed the creation of two positions to support local climate initiatives; Climate Program specialist and Building and Energy Program manager.

Burney also wants to elevate Olympia Climate Manager Dr. Pamela Braff to director of the Climate Program.

"The city council declared an emergency around climate change. Through my conversations with council members, you have asked me to staff the climate program consistent with that emergency," Burney said.

For the homelessness program, Burney proposed promoting Darian Lightfoot to a director position. He also suggested that a Housing Program specialist - a prior funded project - be permanently included in the city allocation. He added that they need an ongoing evaluation of housing options and long-term planning help with the homelessness program.

Burney pointed out that the general fund now fully supports two positions in the Housing Program – homeless response coordinator and homeless response specialist.

The proposed budget also reflected funding increases for Economic Development, Parks and Recreations, Fire Department, Utility, and Engineering functions in the general fund.

"Additionally, my budget includes needed resources for the Storm, Wastewater, and Waste Resources utilities as well as fleet. The proposed budget includes 15.75 new positions, many of which generate funding to fully or at least partially cover their costs, and which are necessary to meet the city's changing needs," Burney added.

In response to the double-digit inflation the area has seen over the past year, the preliminary budget includes a 5% wage increase for all city employees.

According to the city manager, the preliminary budget will continue to fund existing services and programs at their current level with adjustments for necessary increases for inflation, labor cost changes, and contractual requirements.