Camas, Washington Development News
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City Council Workshop
Published: Jul 6, 2026
Camas Faces Projected $6 Million General Fund Deficit; Council Discusses Revenue, Expense Adjustments
The city's interim Finance Director presented a detailed outlook of the 2027-2028 general fund budget, revealing a projected deficit of approximately $6 million due to flattening growth, increased employee benefit costs, and the shift of fire department funding to the fire authority. The presentation outlined external economic pressures, including high mortgage rates and rising energy prices, impacting local sales tax revenue. Key assumptions for the budget include 1% annual population growth and a 1% statutory property tax levy increase. The city is exploring various revenue enhancements (e.g., utility tax increases, Transportation Benefit District fee) and expense reductions (e.g., hiring freeze, programming adjustments) to close the projected gap and avoid depleting the fund balance below statutory requirements by 2027. The council engaged in discussions regarding the feasibility and impact of proposed financial adjustments, particularly concerning utility taxes and the necessity of a robust asset management plan.
Camas Council Debates Form of Government Change, Agrees to Public Input Sessions
The council engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the potential change in the city's form of government from a strong mayor system to a council-manager system. While some council members and residents expressed support for exploring this change to potentially increase nimbleness and accountability, others favored maintaining the current structure, citing stability, executive leadership, and community satisfaction. Key concerns included the process for public engagement, the timing of potential votes, the clarity of roles, and the cost implications of adding a city manager. The council agreed to schedule town halls for public input and will decide later whether to proceed with drafting a resolution for a potential vote, with suggestions for neutral presenters and comprehensive public outreach.
City Parks Benchmarking Reveals Deferred Maintenance Concerns, Staffing Shortages
The Parks and Recreation Department presented findings from a national benchmarking exercise, highlighting areas where the city is behind national averages in developed park acreage and acres per 1,000 population, but ahead in open space. Key concerns include significant deferred maintenance, estimated at $7.5 million, and low revenue generation primarily from facility rentals and programming. The department faces staffing shortages, impacting its ability to address maintenance issues like the prolonged closure of the Oak Park playground. Council members discussed the need for a land strategy, increased funding for deferred maintenance, and potential revenue streams like user fees. The presentation served as a baseline for the upcoming Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) plan update.
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