Title
Proposed 2025 Utility Rates, General Facility Charges, Impact Fees, and Special (Dedicated) Revenues Including Inspire Olympia, Lodging Tax, Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA), and Housing/Homeless Response Program Budgets
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Finance Committee moved to approve the proposed 2025 Utility Rates, General Facility Charges, Impact Fees, and Special (Dedicated) Revenue budgets for Inspire Olympia, Lodging Tax, Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBAI), and Housing/Homeless Response Program Budgets at its October 21, 2024 meeting, and directed that they be forwarded to the full City Council for review.
City Manager Recommendation:
Review the proposed 2025 Utility Rates, General Facility Charges, Impact Fees, and Special (Dedicated) Revenues for Inspire Olympia, Lodging Tax, Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA), and Housing/Homeless Response Program Budgets.
Report
Issue:
Whether to review the proposed 2025 Utility Rates, General Facility Charges, Impact Fees, and Special (Dedicated) Revenues for Inspire Olympia, Lodging Tax, Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA), and Housing/Homeless Response Program Budgets.
Staff Contact:
Joan Lutz, Budget & Fiscal Manager, Finance Department, 360.753.8760
Presenter(s):
Jay Burney, City Manager
Mike Vessey, Drinking Water Utility Director
Jesse Barham, Water Resources Director
Gary Franks, Director of Waste ReSources
Tim Smith, Interim Community Planning and Development Director
Marygrace Goddu, Cultural Access Program Manager
Amelia Layton, Program Specialist - Lodging Tax
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director
Darian Lightfoot, Director of Housing and Homeless Response
Background and Analysis:
City Manager Burney presented the Preliminary 2025 Operating Budget to City Council on Tuesday, October 8. The Preliminary Capital Facilities Plan, 2025-2030 Financial Plan was also presented by staff on October 8. The 2025 preliminary operating and capital budgets include revenue and expenses from utility rates, General Facility Charges (GFCs), impact fees, and special (dedicated) revenues from Inspire Olympia, Lodging Tax, PBIA, and Housing/Homeless Response programs.
At this meeting, staff will present the proposed 2025 utility rates and GFCs for the four utilities - Drinking Water, Wastewater, Storm and Surface Water, and Waste Resources which were approved by the Finance Committee on October 21. The Utility Advisory Committee also reviewed the rates and fees at their October 3rd meeting and voted unanimously to approve and recommend to Council the proposed changes (see attached letter).
Staff will also present the Transportation, Parks, Olympia School District, North Thurston School District and Development Impact fees and the Special (Dedicated) Revenue budgets for Inspire Olympia, Lodging Tax, PBIA, and Housing/Homeless Response.
A Public Hearing will be held on the Preliminary 2025 Operating Budget on Tuesday, November 12 and Council will have an opportunity to receive public comment on the proposed rates, fees, and special revenue budgets at that time. Council is scheduled to adopt both the 2025 Operating Budget and the 2025-2030 Capital Facilities Plan on December 10, 2025.
Climate Analysis:
The Climate Analysis framework will be completed by staff, if applicable, for the individual work items funded by Council.
Equity Analysis:
The Equity Analysis framework will be completed, if applicable, for the individual work items funded by Council.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Members of the community may have an interest in this agenda item as it deals with City finances and fiscal governance.
Financial Impact:
The individual presenters will share financial impacts as part of their presentation.
Options:
1. Review the proposed 2025 Utility Rates, General Facility Charges, Impact Fees, and Special (Dedicated) Revenues for Inspire Olympia, Lodging Tax, Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA), and Housing/Homeless Response Program Budgets.
2. Do not Review the proposed 2025 Utility Rates, General Facility Charges, Impact Fees, and Special (Dedicated) Revenues for Inspire Olympia, Lodging Tax, Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA), and Housing/Homeless Response Program Budgets.
3. Review the proposed 2025 Utility Rates, General Facility Charges, Impact Fees, and Special (Dedicated) Revenues for Inspire Olympia, Lodging Tax, Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA), and Housing/Homeless Response Program Budgets at another time.
Attachments:
Presentation
Utility Advisory Committee Letter