City Budget 2027-2028

On Monday, October 12, Renton City Council received department presentations from the Public Works and Executive Services Department related to the 2027-2028 Biennial Budget.

The Public Works Department outlined their budget needs for the upcoming biennium, with several staffing adjustments and requests to serve current needs, including the addition of a new position in the Facilities Division and changes to existing roles to best reflect volume and scope of work.

Staff noted increases in equipment, supplies, utilities, and contracted services are largely driven by the resources needed to support capital improvement projects.

Next, the Executive Services Department presented budget needs, including funding for additional public defense positions and increases to cover needs for professional and contracted services in IT and Communications. Increased costs are driven primarily by software licensing fees, ADA‑compliant software to meet new federal digital accessibility regulations, and expanded videography, graphic design, website maintenance, and other specialized services to answer the high volume of content produced by the communications team.

Executive Services recommended funding for the Renton Promise program shift to the Mayor’s Office to align with the program’s origins in government affairs and the existing partnership with State Representative Bergquist.

The largest budget driver for Executive Services in this biennium is the significant increase in public defense requirements, driven by new state standards reducing the allowable caseload per attorney from 400 cases per year to 120 by 2036. Staff explained public defense will continue to fall under Executive Services, as it must be managed by a neutral department.

During the October 5 Committee of the Whole, Renton City Council received the first of several presentations related to the 2027-2028 Biennial Budget with the initial budget overview.

The presentation opened with Mayor Pavone outlining Renton’s strong financial footing, noting the city’s AAA bond rating, low debt, and increasing sales tax revenues. The proposed citywide budget totals $782 million over the two‑year period, with $334 million allocated to the general fund. Mayor Pavone emphasized the budget reflects the results of a statistically valid community survey, where 800+ residents identified top priorities including public safety, maintenance of existing parks and outdoor spaces, and human and behavioral health services. These community-driven priorities served as a guide the budget’s four organizing themes: public safety, human services, economic development, and capital investment.

The presentation detailed significant investments proposed in each area. For public safety, staffing increases supported by the 2025 public safety sales tax are included, along with an expansion of the speed safety camera program.

Human services investments include strengthened preventative support for those on the brink of losing housing, an expansion of relationship‑based outreach to individuals facing behavioral health and addiction challenges, and preparation for the City’s future stabilization center.

The budget also makes major commitments to infrastructure with an allocation of $65 million in transportation, utilities, parks, trails, and facilities projects. The primary focus is on maintaining the city’s existing assets. Flood‑related improvements include upgrades to sewer and stormwater systems, adding a 6.3‑million‑gallon reservoir.

Economic development efforts continue to build on downtown revitalization successes, new employer growth, and the anticipated Seattle Children’s Hospital campus, expected to bring thousands of living-wage jobs to Renton.

Revenue projections total $775 million for the biennium, with taxes and utility service charges remaining the largest sources. Sales tax performance has exceeded expectations following several years of slow growth, and interest income has risen due to higher interest rates and more active investment management.

The city’s General Fund, projected at $322 million, draws 82% of its revenue from taxes and includes $9 million from the new criminal‑justice and public‑safety sales tax. The City’s 2027 preliminary property tax levy totals $27.1 million, reflecting the allowable 1% increase, and Renton maintains $16.2 million in banked capacity for potential future use.

Staff clarified that for a median Renton home valued at $710,000, the city receives about $624 a year, or roughly $52 a month, in property taxes. This represents only about 8% of the total monthly property tax bill, meaning the city receives just a small portion of the overall amount homeowners pay.

On the expenditure side, General Fund spending totals $333 million, with personnel costs representing 62% of the budget. Staffing proposals include adding 15 regular full‑time positions and seven limited‑term roles, mainly in parks maintenance, human services outreach, public defense, the City Attorney’s Office, legislative support, and the speed‑camera program.

The City also plans substantial capital investments totaling $65.1 million, funded through grants, taxes, bonds, and other sources. Projects under consideration include 200 Mill building improvements, Liberty Park’s major upgrades, Logan Festival Street development, and renovations of four park restrooms.

An increase to utility rates for water, sewer, stormwater, and solid waste are proposed due to inflation and increased cost. Both the airport and the golf course funds are projected to remain self‑sustaining, with the golf course using its accumulated fund balance to cover necessary capital investments.

During tonight's Committee of the Whole, Renton City Council will receive department presentations from Public Works, Executive Services, and City Attorney.

The 2027-2028 budget survey closed on May 13. The Finance Department is currently reviewing the results from the survey with city staff. Follow the project for updates throughout the process. If you didn't get a chance to participate, public hearings are a great opportunity to provide additional thoughts and comments. The first public hearing will be in the fall in council chambers.

There's still time to share your voice! Tell us which services matter most to you and help guide the support we provide. The survey for the 2027-2028 biennial budget closes on Wednesday, May 13.

The survey is available in English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Russian.

Thank you for taking the time to be part of this important conversation. Your voice truly matters!

Access the survey at https://rentonwa.gov/budgetsurvey

We want to hear from you! The City of Renton is preparing the 2027–2028 biennial budget, which guides the services we provide you, and your input is essential. Our community-wide budget survey is open now through May 13.

Some residents may have already received an email or text from our research partner, ReconMR. If you’ve already taken the survey, thank you — your voice truly matters.

If you did not receive the survey, we’d love to hear your feedback at rentonwa.gov/budgetsurvey. Take the survey by May 13!

The survey is available in English, Spanish, Chinese (simplified), Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Russian.

The City of Renton is working on the biennial budget for 2027 and 2028. As part of this process, we are conducting a community-wide budget survey, open now.

The city’s research partner, ReconMR, started outreach with a random selection of residents. You may receive text messages, emails, a phone call, or mailed postcard with information encouraging you to participate in the online survey.

If you did not receive the survey from ReconMR, it will open to the public on April 22 and close May 13.