Anacortes closes $2.4 million budget gap
Mayor Ryan Walters proposes a balanced 2027 plan that avoids tax hikes and layoffs but delays necessary infrastructure maintenance.
By Aisha Saeed ·
Anacortes faces a $2.4 million gap between expected expenses and projected revenues for 2027. Mayor Ryan Walters presented a budget message on October 26 that balances this deficit without increasing utility taxes or imposing a business and occupation tax. The proposal also avoids involuntary staff layoffs.
The city achieved this balance through operational efficiencies and spending reductions. Officials plan to shift some costs from the General Fund to utility funds. The budget maintains funding for police, fire, EMS, the library, museum, parks, and the senior center.
City staff will bring more work in-house within the Fiber and Public Works departments. This move reduces reliance on outside consultants and potentially saves more than $1 million in consulting costs.
Walters cautioned that the balanced budget is not sustainable long-term. The city will postpone contributions to equipment replacement funds and its paving program. These delays address the immediate shortfall while managing rising costs that have outpaced revenue growth.
Revenue challenges continue across Washington as inflation affects public finances. The complete budget message is available at anacorteswa.gov/budget.
Source: City of Anacortes
