2027-2028 Department Budget Presentations: Public Works and Executive Services

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.