[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6057133,"mediaKeyId","3307804-5d1767152d2cb22d2abf661919b16ccf","parentId",3307804,"title","Sequim finance director flags street fund shortfall and tourism‑linked revenue dips in Q1 report","audioSeconds",479,"startMs",5337000,"endMs",5816000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307804-5d1767152d2cb22d2abf661919b16ccf&start=5337&end=5816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307804-5d1767152d2cb22d2abf661919b16ccf/thumbnail_5337000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6057133/Sequim/Clallam-County/Washington/Sequim-finance-director-flags-street-fund-shortfall-and-tourismlinked-revenue-dips-in-Q1-report","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057133-296b83367ab3e35e8842fcbe12ece78e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770812568&Signature=Fum5G8OJ0Jtq5ZizCWlwE0XaaDs1B4lZkMA91NjqxDr~4E9CVlaf5f4Xtx1HvcKYCG5-FzUfKPx8Ryqz0cMqO63d85jW8doJpNilq7jls~oh0uDh38SFHxp~a-Ma48mwCheabVbR73PuXSx2dlS6chUNx5n4lw~TBkHVL2w4ffWf0cvUw1JSO4hoA36O4lMCmSxSm1Al9FfoVGdV6CoLvA6ydZtdlb4~6Bc7rUQUBRQZmKBv4x0x2BWiBLSK8R277QqEPsgC1pcvE1xszsaUuPLU-oxunjRU5hPwPxfVU7Fr~9YLBkdLhEFl4n9fDegOI-2t39JfYo7LMGfbW-qEiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sequim City, WA","date","2025-05-14T19:55:19Z","article","Finance Director Sue Hagener briefed the Sequim City Council on the city’s financial performance through the first three months of 2025, describing several items staff will continue to monitor and possible future budget action.

Hagener said she does not place too much weight on a single quarter but identified three areas of concern: salaries and benefits are running over budget in some departments — she attributed that in part to late ratification and timing of a negotiated contract that was signed in late December 2024 — the street operations fund balance has fallen below the city’s policy minimum, and the state auditor has recommended reclassifying a flexible spending account that will require a future budget amendment to correct fund classification.

Hagener told councilors that tourism‑sensitive revenues showed early weakness: a notable drop in hotel‑motel tax revenue (reported in April for activity in February) and a small decline in sales tax receipts. She cautioned that March/April results can be volatile and that staff will continue monitoring trends into the second quarter before recommending corrective action.

Councilors asked about property‑tax timing and impact fees. Hagener explained property‑tax receipts are difficult to predict from month to month because Clallam County forwards collections on an irregular schedule; she said the majority of property‑tax receipts typically arrive in spikes in April/May and October/November. On development revenue, Hagener reported strong water general‑facility charges (GFCs): “not even June yet, and we’ve hit half a million dollars in water GFCs,” which she described as excellent news for utility finances.

Hagener said staff may return later in the year with a budget amendment if trends do not correct, and that she will present a fuller second‑quarter financial review after June 30.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session and Regular Session - May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city’s Q1 financial review showed salary and benefit timing pressures, the street operations fund below policy minimum, a classification change required by the state auditor for a flexible spending account, and early signs of tourism‑linked revenue softening; water connection fees have increased year‑to‑date.","taxTitle","Sequim, Clallam County, Washington","taxId",72051,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057138,"Sequim council directs staff to draft updated utility‑billing ordinance after first review of Chapter 3.52",299,5887000,6186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307804-5d1767152d2cb22d2abf661919b16ccf&start=5887&end=6186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307804-5d1767152d2cb22d2abf661919b16ccf/thumbnail_5887000.jpg","/articles/6057138/Sequim/Clallam-County/Washington/Sequim-council-directs-staff-to-draft-updated-utilitybilling-ordinance-after-first-review-of-Chapter-352","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057138-ae19d72a2c915a8b794eb77b0a405c93/orig.mp4?Expires=1770812568&Signature=aOUSQIuFjdV4vMuqgGLzERgnN3HFfKuKk~X96C~aVFk0yyhHpZwDmIh0VTQMGnAdBSEQXshFWXBdG1RmqxUZcbWRu04XnMB9jI7C3EULtw7IZGa-N0KoJ80akxNiT2UGGizOV~he4lwux3VpYLWNXgGCdJKcUl4FOAWowFyN2cr~MypQ5pn75ar-LiKbzfo8PB1qMnZZVuIRgR3kNMzT7~qsP3yq9E7wchKGN-bE00pTt~6-jge~kUUA~O3TasQ1OBp8ZPpU47pafKTJdx687AGR9xkEc9KBvvXudgmWtJyhUO-p0WptZQWMVZleEFgDQGKvuwp88-0ZwjOnXinDGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sequim finance staff told the City Council on May 13 that Chapter 3.52 of the municipal code — governing combined utility billings — had not been updated in about 15 years and needed comprehensive revision to reflect recent state law and operational practice.

Finance Director Sue Hagener said the rewritten draft addressed legal changes (including state prohibitions on water shutoffs during heat events), clarified deposit and account procedures and proposed ending a repetitive administrative practice of repeatedly creating tenant accounts and refunds when renters move. Hagener said staff recommends a slow rollout in which utilities remain in the owner’s name when practical and that staff will conduct a deliberate communications program to notify property owners and tenants.

After Hagener’s presentation a council member moved and the council seconded a motion to waive the second touch and to direct staff to present an ordinance implementing the revised Chapter 3.52 on the next available consent agenda. The motion passed with no recorded opposition.

The revision is an informational first‑touch presentation; the council’s motion advances the proposed code changes toward a formal ordinance vote at a future meeting. Hagener noted the changes are intended to reduce administrative workload for finance staff and to align municipal policy with recent state requirements on utility shutoffs and related protections.","City finance staff presented a rewritten Chapter 3.52 on combined utility billings, noting 15 years of unaddressed changes and new state rules; council voted to waive an additional review and asked staff to place an ordinance on the next consent agenda.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057143,"Sequim lobbyist: state budget shortfalls push local transportation projects into future",726,758000,1484000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307804-5d1767152d2cb22d2abf661919b16ccf&start=758&end=1484","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307804-5d1767152d2cb22d2abf661919b16ccf/thumbnail_758000.jpg","/articles/6057143/Sequim/Clallam-County/Washington/Sequim-lobbyist-state-budget-shortfalls-push-local-transportation-projects-into-future","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057143-c3f464b010e94c451b04698194697bb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770812568&Signature=IXlSTiCrfyiiEuFohf7Tml47FEZcgyCKFotJ946OBjU4AvvSy3dhvS2otghfsje6I1nbn6stPbDao-XzgD40hG4NoVydqNFMama4SLyd5Evb1gPusVOHQM7AfyjM8kx~13IJkKKmCulcMlifrugqK2Eyfe5g9c5bP6Hblg6-c0EOoA4s713Rg0yepFzc5KRp3i8Q5bWcHoad2GPNBSNS6Pl~1OfeKDCue2Guby87i0sgtaisAj3Vhylpa2fXE3pflrmvcj41KdLKf5CJlcczCgCJOFtanp-SsVLFDNurE2urQYmiq7oBSNFoCwdiXiLTfJGhdo-BU9GUYIvTdo2wCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sequim’s Olympia lobbyist, Davor Jurasic, told the City Council on May 13 that a large state operating shortfall and a transportation revenue gap forced lawmakers to postpone funding for many road projects, including Sequim’s long‑running US‑101 access/interchange work.

Jurasic said the Legislature finished its budgets on the final day of the session but faced a roughly $16 billion operating shortfall in a roughly $76 billion four‑year operating plan and a multi‑billion dollar transportation shortfall tied to falling gas tax receipts and rising project costs. He said three revenue bills passed that would raise about $9 billion over six years; the governor still had a period to sign, veto or partially veto bills.

The immediate effect for Sequim: Jurasic said the city’s top priority — the US‑101 (sometimes referenced as the Senators bypass) access/interchange project — was not funded in the House transportation plan and was therefore moved out under the criteria lawmakers used to prioritize projects. Jurasic explained the Legislature used a rule that moved projects out if they were not yet under contract or under construction. He said Sequim had previously secured about $1.5 million for early steps of the project after originally requesting $3 million and that project funding has repeatedly been reallocated to later years when revenues tightened.

In the same presentation, Jurasic said two other Sequim requests received partial funding. The city had sought $1,000,000 for an emergency fueling station from the capital budget and received $500,000 designated as a community project line item; the award language did not specify “Sequim” by name, so staff followed up to confirm allocation. For Margaret Kerner Park the city had submitted a $500,000 Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant request and a separate $1,000,000 individual legislator request. Jurasic reported the $500,000 RCO request was funded in the capital budget but the $1,000,000 legislator ask was not.

Jurasic described several broader drivers behind the funding shortfall: declines in gas‑tax revenue as vehicle fuel consumption drops and rising project costs driven by higher labor and materials. He said a proposed road‑usage charge tied to miles driven — which would have broadened the revenue base as electric vehicle use grows — failed to pass, leaving lawmakers to prioritize existing revenue and delay nonurgent projects. He also said the Senate’s transportation plan had been more robust than the House’s; because the House plan prevailed in the final compromise, some projects that would have been funded under the Senate approach were pushed out.

Jurasic urged Sequim to re‑energize local advocacy and community coalitions for the US‑101 project, reminding councilors that the item has been a multi‑year priority and that local outreach — including earlier petitions and site tours for legislators — will be needed to press future funding cycles. He noted local legislators remain engaged but are constrained by statewide revenue limits and that another revenue forecast midyear will likely trigger further budget work and possibly a special session later in 2025.

On housing and taxes, Jurasic said the Legislature passed a rent‑stabilization bill (often described in the session as rent control or rent stabilization) and that the governor had received the bills for action; he also confirmed a proposal to raise the property‑tax cap from 1% to a higher figure did not pass and the 1% limit remained in place.

Councilors asked questions during and after the presentation about causes of transportation revenue declines (including electric vehicles), whether labor or materials were driving project cost increases (Jurasic said both), and next steps for Sequim’s lobbying and community outreach.

The presentation was informational; Jurasic did not present a council motion and no formal city decisions were made during the work session. He recommended staff and councilors plan renewed outreach to legislators and to redevelop a local coalition to press for the US‑101 funding when revenue opportunities arise.

Looking ahead, Jurasic said the state will receive updated revenue forecasts this summer and that a special legislative session to address shortfalls or make cuts is likely later in 2025.","Sequim’s contracted lobbyist told the City Council that large state operating and transportation deficits and limited new revenue led the Legislature to move many transportation projects, including Sequim’s US-101 access work, into later bienniums. He urged renewed local advocacy after the session produced partial funding for two Sequim projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sequim finance director flags street fund shortfall and tourism‑linked revenue dips in Q1 report

Sequim council directs staff to draft updated utility‑billing ordinance after first review of Chapter 3.52

Sequim lobbyist: state budget shortfalls push local transportation projects into future