The City of Kalama will have a vacant seat on the City Council as of October 6th, 2025. This is due to a change in residence. Applications are open now until October 7th, 2025 (until 5pm). Council will review applications, and appoint a new member to fill the remainder of the term, which ends on 12/31/2027. A "special" public meeting will be set to review applications.
Applicants must:
- Be a current Kalama City resident
- Have lived in Kalama City limits for a minimum of 1 year
- Be registered to vote
Apply HERE (form submits automatically online): https://tinyurl.com/3wtj9jh4
Paper applications can be picked up at (and submitted at) city hall: 195 N 1st Street, Kalama, WA 98625
Questions: cityclerk@cityofkalama.com or 360-673-4561
The Kalama Salary Commission will meet on October 9th at 4pm at the council chambers, 320 N 1st Street.to discuss wages for the mayor and council positions. This committee typically meets once per year to review wages. This meeting is open to the public and will have options for in-person and virtual (Zoom) attendance. Virtual attendance information will be available through the TownCloud site.
The Kalama Tourism Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 3:30pm in the City Council Chambers to review funding applications that were submitted during the September application period. Virtual attendance and meeting information can be accessed here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa. Location: 320 N 1st Street.
Kalama City Council 2026 Proposed Property Tax Levy, 2026 Fees, Charges, & Revenue Public Hearing on October 16, 2025 @ 7:00pm
The Kalama City Council will hold a Public Hearing to review the revenue needs of the City for 2026 including the ad valorem (property) tax levy for 2026, proposed utility rate increases, garbage rate increases, proposed increases to building permit fees, and other miscellaneous fees of the city on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 7:00pm at 320 N 1st Street. The public is encouraged to attend and comment. Virtual access information is available on the City website through https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa or at City Hall during business hours.
Coni McMaster
City of Kalama
Clerk/Treasurer
(360) 673-4561
cityclerk@cityofkalama.com
Kalama City Council public hearing: Public Safety Sales Tax, House Bill 2015. The Kalama City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 7pm in the City Council chambers at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama to discuss the option to implement a public safety sales tax, allowable by the legislature House Bill 2015 (HB 2015). This meeting is available in person and virtually through Zoom. The Zoom information can be found on the agenda here: www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa. Questions can be directed to 360-673-4561.
We’ve got a full lineup of public meetings this autumn—and hey, nothing says cozy like talking taxes, planning, and the 2026 budget. Want the facts straight from the source? Join us!
Upcoming Meetings:
Sept 30 @ 5pm – Council Budget Workshop
Oct 2 @ 7pm – Council: HB 2015 Public Safety Tax - Public Hearing
Oct 8 @ 3:30pm - Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting
Oct 9 @ 4pm – Salary Commission
Oct 9 @ 6pm – Planning Commission
Oct 14 @ 5:30pm - Parks & Rec Advisory Committee Meeting
Oct 16 @ 6pm – Council Workshop: Waterworth
Oct 16 @ 7pm – Council: Revenues (proposed property tax levy, and 2026 fees, charges, proposed utility rate increases, garbage rate increases, building permit fees and other miscellaneous fees) - Public Hearing
Oct 23 @ 5pm - Civil Service (tentative)
Nov 6 @ 7pm – Council: 2026 Budget & CFP - Public Hearing
Nov 13 @ 6pm - Planning Commission
Nov 19 @ 5:15pm - Library Board Meeting
Nov 20 @ 7pm – Council: 2026 Budget & CFP - Public Hearing
A special workshop meeting will be set between October 2nd and October 16th to select a council applicant to fill the vacant position #5. (date and time TBD)
📍 All listed meetings are held at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama, WA 98625
📢 Meetings are open to the public—your questions, your input, your city.
🖥️ A virtual attendance option (Zoom) is available for each meeting. Find the agenda and Zoom information for the corresponding meeting here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa.
9/30 Budget Workshop: The Kalama City Council will hold a workshop on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 @ 5:00pm to discuss the 2026 budget needs, including revenues, service priorities, & alternatives. Location: 320 N 1st Street, Kalama. Agenda information will be available here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa
City Council Recap – September 18, 2025
The City Council addressed significant budget challenges within the General Fund for 2025 and 2026. There was discussion of potential revenue solutions including administrative fees and a public safety sales tax, while considering service cuts if additional funding cannot be secured. Staff and council members reviewed current financial concerns including health insurance costs, the importance of maintaining adequate reserves, reallocation of existing revenues sources, and meeting the cost of services. There will be a budget workshop on September 30, 2025, at 5pm which will include discussion and information on rates and fee increases as well as general fund cuts and revenue sources.
The Council adopted Ordinance 1539; a budget amendment correcting an error in the original budget numbers.
In reports, Public Works noted the major water line break caused when a contractor hit a main line while digging, which caused a half-day water outage in the Spencer Creek area north of town. Police Chief Herrera noted tickets are on sale now for the Caribbean Dinner, which will be held on October 17th. This event supports Kalama’s “Shop with a Cop” program. Chief Herrera emphasized the department's lean operations and advocated for House Bill 2015 public safety sales tax to address increasing costs, which could include costs for public defense that are anticipated to increase due to legislative changes.
Upcoming dates for budget public hearings and workshops:
Location: 320 N 1st Street @ Council Chambers
September 30, 2025 @ 5pm - Workshop
October 2, 2025 @ 7pm – Public Hearing on implementing the HB 2015 Public Safety Tax
October 16, 2025 @ 6pm – Workshop to introduce the Waterworth Software the City is using for its utility rate study.
October 16, 2025 @ 7pm – Public hearing on the 2026 Revenue needs to include the ad valorem (property) tax levy, potential water/sewer/stormwater rate increases, garbage service rate increases, potential permit and other city fee increases.
November 6th and 20th @7pm – Public Hearing on the 2026 Budget and 2026-2031 Capital Facilities Plan
Upcoming events:
10/1- Coffee with a Cop, 8:30am-10:30am @ the Community Building
10/1- Storytime @ Kalama Library, 10:30am-11:15am
10/4- KAMA’s Autumn Art in the Park, 10am-4pm
10/4- Kalama Lion’s Club annual “Walk N’ Knock”
10/11-FOLK Tea Fundraiser 2pm (tickets purchased in advance)
October Dance classes brought to you by Kalama Parks & Rec! Join us on Wednesdays for dance at the Kalama Community Building (216 Elm Street)! from 6:15-7:00pm beginner classes (will rotate rumba, salsa, merengue, and bachata), and 7:00-7:45pm Progressive Argentine Tango. Cost $20 per class! Choose one or both! Get a FREE, 30-min private lesson with purchase of an 8-class punch card available for $160. Sign up today at https://tinyurl.com/zhvy3t25 ! Questions? Contact communityrelations@cityofkalama.com or 360-673-4908.
Sprinklers, pools, and slip ’n slides were fun while they lasted… but summer sewer averaging ends September 21st! Residents inside Kalama city limits on sewer will go back to actual usage billing. ☀️➡️🍂
Learn more here: https://www.cityofkalama.com/page/summer-sewer-average
On this September 11th, we honor the lives lost, the heroes who responded with courage, and the resilience that carried our nation forward. May this day serve as a reminder of unity, compassion, and the strength we find in community.
9/11/25 @ 9:40am - The "Boil Water Advisory" is no longer in effect:
Attention: Residents on Spencer Creek 430 block to City Limits, Boundary Rd, Vivian Rd, Stonemill Rd, Berry Ln, Great Northern Rd
The water samples that were sent for bacteriological testing came back satisfactory after Tuesday's water main break. You are now able to consume city water without boiling it. Our public works crew worked tirelessly to restore clean drinking water to these homes. Thank you for your patience.
Emergency Boil Water Notice 09/09/2025, 2:15pm
Attention: Residents on Spencer Creek 430 block to City Limits, Boundary Rd, Vivian Rd, Stonemill Rd, Berry Ln, Great Northern Rd
The Kalama Public Works crew is working on repairing a damaged watermain that was hit by a contractor. We are asking all residents in these areas to boil water for human consumption as a precautionary measure.
Once repaired, a “boil water advisory” order will be in effect until further notice.
During the “boil water advisory”, water is safe to shower and wash hands, dishes, etc., but please boil water before drinking by following these steps:
• Once water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for 1 minute
• Turn off heat source and let the water cool
• Pour water into a clean container with a cover for storage
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
If you have questions, please contact Public Works Director Kelly Rasmussen at: 360-673-4554 or 360-644-3844.
Attention: Residents on Spencer Creek 430 block to City Limits, Boundary Rd, Vivian Rd, Stonemill Rd, Berry Ln, Great Northern Rd
Update: 9/9/25 @ 9:30pm
Repairs on the second break in the water line have been complete, and water should be restored by 10:30pm. Thank you again for your patience.
Update: 9/9/25 @ 8:00pm
As the repaired main was pressurizing, it burst further down the same line. The same group of residents are affected, but the water will be off at this time. The crew is onsite now and is working to fix the line and restore water to these residents. We will continue to post updates here and the city website.
9/9/25 @ 6:30pm
Water is being restored to operation and pressure should be back within a half hour. Any cloudy water is due to air in the water lines, not dirt. Please continue to boil drinking water. Test samples will be pulled first thing in the morning, and after 24 hours, test results should be available on Thursday morning. The city will notify residents as soon as results are available and the boil water notice is lifted. Thank you.
9/9/25 @ 4:00pm
The City has secured parts needed, and we project repairs will be complete by 6pm. Thank you for your patience. This was a large repair. Once water is restored, please remember to boil water that you plan to drink. Water for other use such as dishes, laundry, and showering does not need to be boiled.
9/9/25 @ 2:15pm
Boil Water Notice, Attention: Residents on Spencer Creek 430 block to City Limits, Boundary Rd, Vivian Rd, Stonemill Rd, Berry Ln, Great Northern Rd
The Kalama Public Works crew is working on repairing a damaged watermain that was hit by a contractor. We are asking all residents in these areas to boil water for human consumption as a precautionary measure.
Once repaired, a “boil water advisory” order will be in effect until further notice.
During the “boil water advisory”, water is safe to shower and wash hands, dishes, etc., but please boil water before drinking by following these steps:
• Once water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for 1 minute
• Turn off heat source and let the water cool
• Pour water into a clean container with a cover for storage
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
If you have questions, please contact Public Works Director Kelly Rasmussen at: 360-673-4554 or 360-644-3844.
9/9/25 @ 11:15am
Urgent Notice- Watermain Break: The city's water main was hit during fiberoptic work on Spencer Creek Rd. This main serves residents on Vivian Rd, Great Northern Rd, and Berry Lane. The public works crew is onsite, and water is off. Updates will be provided on the city's website and Facebook page.
Capture Our Community: As the Planning Commission is working on their Comprehensive Plan update, they are requesting help from talented community members like you! They are requesting community involvement in capturing our community by submitting your best pictures of Kalama. This project is open to all who live or work in the 98625 zip code. Amateur photographers, professional, and people of all ages are invited to participate. There will be no prizes, but photo credit will be given. The finished product will be in both booklet form and available digitally. The deadline for submittal is March 31, 2026. Please submit your photos to building@cityofkalama.com.
Starting Monday morning September 8th (around 7am), the Southbound lane of E. Frontage Rd. is scheduled to be closed from Geranium to Elm in preparation for the upcoming mural project on the I-5 crash wall. We will send out notification to update drivers regarding the progress of this project. The closure of this Southbound lane will be September 8th- 22nd, weather permitting.
Note: This mural was commissioned by Envision Kalama, and is being painted by the Portland Street Art Alliance.
