City Of Kalama

Kalama City Council 2026 Budget/2026-2031 Capital Facilities Plan Public Hearings @ 7pm on November 6, 2025 & November 20, 2025:
Notice is hereby given that the City of Kalama preliminary budget for 2026 and the 2026 to 2031 Capital Facilities Plan has been filed with the City Clerk. The Kalama City Council will hold the first of two public hearings on the 2026 Budget and Capital Facilities Plan on November 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama. The public is encouraged to attend and provide testimony for the final budget. A second public hearing will be held on November 20, 2025 at 7 p.m. The hearings may be continued without further publication by announcing the date, time, and place of the continued hearing at the hearing. Copies of the preliminary Budget and draft Capital Facilities Plan will be available on or before November 20, 2025 at City Hall during regular business hours or on the City website at www.cityofkalama.com. Information for virtual access to the hearings will be available on the City website through https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa.
Coni McMaster
City of Kalama
Clerk/Treasurer
(360) 673-4561
cityclerk@cityofkalama.com

about 5 hours ago, City of Kalama

Kalama City Council Public Hearing, Thursday November 6th & 20th, 2025: to review the 2026 preliminary budget and 2026-2031 capital facilities plan. The meeting is open to the public - in person and on Zoom. Questions: 360-673-4561, agenda & Zoom info: www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa at 7:00pm @ 320 N 1st St, Kalama, WA

The Kalama Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee meeting has been scheduled for Monday, November 10th, 2025 at 11am in the City Council Chambers at 320 N 1st Street. The change in schedule is due to the Veteran's Day holiday. Agenda and meeting information can be found here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa

about 21 hours ago, City of Kalama

Parks & Rec advisory committee meeting for Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 11am. Location: 320 N 1st Street or attend virtually via Zoom.

November "Drum 4 Fun" classes are held on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10am-11am. Cost is $25 for all of November, and you can pay at City Hall, or online: https://tinyurl.com/yydsfh22

Please note class days are as follows:

Tuesdays: Nov 4, 11, & 25
Thursdays: Nov 6th & 13th
Location: 216 Elm Street, Kalama, WA 98625

1 day ago, City of Kalama

Drum 4 Fun November 2025, 10am-11am, Tuesdays only: $15, Nov 4, 11, & 25, Thursdays only: $25, 6th and 13th. @ 216 Elm Street

The October, November, and December Civil Service meetings have been cancelled due to holidays. The next, tentative meeting will be January 22, 2026 @ 5pm in the city council chambers.
Location: 320 N 1st Street, Kalama, WA

10 days ago, City of Kalama

Civil service meetings: cancelled for the rest of 2025 due to holidays. Next meeting: January 22, 2026 @ 5pm in the city council chambers located at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama

10/18/2025 @ 3:30pm - Water lines fixed

Our public works crew was able to fix the leak without shutting the water all the way off. There is no boil water notice, and all customers should have regular service.

Thank you public works crew, and thank you residents for your patience!

10/18/2025 @ 12:30pm - Watermain break

Customers on Old Pacific Hwy, South of Stone Forest Drive, to Vincent Rd will likely be affected.

The leak is in the road on Old Pacific Hwy-- drivers please use caution and watch for flaggers.

Expected time for water outage is unknown at this time- crews are actively working to locate and repair waterline(s).

Updates will be posted on the city's website & Facebook pages. Thank you for your patience.

12 days ago, City of Kalama

Watermain Break notice- image of water line leak

10.16.2025 Council Meeting Recap

The City Council held a workshop to understand how the rate-setting software, Waterworth, utilizes the city’s information to make informed decisions.

Bruce Rader was sworn into Councilmember position #5. Council held a public hearing on revenue needs for 2026. A consultant from Waterworth presented recommendations for increases to water/sewer/stormwater rates. Based on the findings, the current outside water users’ rates are not covering the costs of providing the infrastructure needs and service, so the recommended rate increase for water would be on the outside residential (10%) and outside commercial users (15%) and inside user rates would remain at the 2025 rates. Sewer rate recommendations for consideration range from 5% up to 15% for all users. The stormwater rate increase would be 5% from $8.81 per ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit) to $9.25 per ERU. Most residential customers are charged only 1 ERU for their homes. The full presentation is available here https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa/agendas/817. Rate comparisons throughout southwest Washington were provided.

The revenue hearing also covered the increase to garbage rates averaging 3% for residential customers which are required under the service contract with Waste Control. Property taxes were reviewed requesting the standard 1% lawful increase. The utility rate example showed a $6 increase for the year on a $550K home where the assessed valuation remains unchanged. The projected levy rate for 2026 is approximately $1.08 per $1K of assessed valuation. Property taxes are split between local and state schools, the County, the Fire District, and several minor taxing districts along with the City’s share, which is about 13% or $600 annually (based on the provided example). This revenue helps pay for 24/7 police coverage, economic development services, code enforcement, library services, parks operations, street operations, criminal legal costs, Council/legislative costs, and the finance/administration operations of the City. City fees and building permit fees were reviewed. The hearing reviewed the needs of the General Fund operations reviewing the revenues which fluctuate based on economic factors, such as building or sales taxes, and those that are more consistent, such as the property and utility taxes or licensing fees. At the request of the Council at the September 30th workshop, staff made added cuts of $72,100 to the budget which includes closing the Community Building, which stops Parks and Recreation classes, and closing the Library on Mondays. The public safety sales tax projected revenues and funds from the reallocation of utility taxes were also included. The proposed additional revenue and cuts are still not sufficient to meet the projected needs of operations in 2026. The Council also needs to include the current costs, and lack of carryover funds for the beginning of 2026. Staff requested the Council reconsider an increase to the utility taxes for the general fund of 2% to produce additional revenues to meet the costs of maintaining services to the community. The Council discussed the needs and focused on additional cuts which could include layoffs of personnel in either the finance or police departments or further reductions to the Library. Councilmembers voiced reluctance to raise taxes for various reasons. The City experiences the financial impact of tax increases, service mandates, and inflation in the same way the ratepayers do. There will be more discussion at the next hearing on November 6th.

Jene McMahon presented the Council with a community art project for the downtown trash can murals. This would involve local artists and organizations in Kalama painting the downtown garbage can lids.

Clerk/Treasurer McMaster discussed the city’s cash flow shortage in the general fund and the Council authorized a budget amendment for a loan of $75K from water reserves which will allow the city to meet the current obligations (payroll and bills). The loan will be paid back at an interest rate of 4.3%. Property taxes will be received in November, but it isn’t clear if it will be enough for transfers that haven’t been made due to the shortfall of funds and repaying the interfund loans. The Council adopted Ordinance 1542 approving the loan and amending the Parks reserve funds for additional costs for the Toteff Park gazebo.

Library Director Bystrom sent a report outlining programs, and emphasized the value the Library provides to the community. In other reports the planning commission continues its work on the Comprehensive Plan update; the Sewer line renovation project continues but may be paused once the rainy weather sets in (to be finished in the spring to avoid poor winter road conditions), the downtown trick-or-treat event will be from 4-6pm on 10/31, and an increase in public records requests in all departments has been seen.

13 days ago, City of Kalama

Clerk/Treasurer McMaster administers the oath of office to Bruce Rader for Council Position #5.

10/9/25 @ 3:15pm: Waterline Break on Taylor Road

A contractor installing fiberoptic line hit a water main on Taylor Rd between 835 and 1051 Taylor Rd. Homes between these addresses may experience a loss of water pressure.

Homes on Waters Watch and Horizon should not be affected.
The city public works crew is on site and evaluating/repairing the damage. Updated information will be added here.

21 days ago, City of Kalama

City Council Budget Workshop: 9.30.2025

The City Council workshop focused on the condition of the 2025 General fund and how to approach the budget for 2026. Costs have increased and revenues are not keeping pace, which is occurring in cities across the state. Staff presented the data showing comparisons of the last few years, and the progression of the city’s current financial situation. Wages, insurance, inflation, and utilities lead the expense increases while revenue increases have been limited to the minimal allowances and not meeting needs. The preliminary budget shows all departments in balance except for those connected to the general fund and supported by tax revenues. An outline of the general fund expenditures was also presented by departments for the police, finance, building, planning, and administration showing what percentage is attributed to personnel costs, consultants, and other operating costs. Personnel costs are the highest expense of the city. Staff explained that reserves/savings were used to fund the city hall renovation project, showing this project did not create the current financial deficit. The additions and cuts already included in the preliminary budget were presented, with projected revenues decreasing by $80,641 and expenditures increasing by $16,265 (the result of the revenue and expenditure obligations being netted together). The transfers to support the operations of streets, library and the community building are included at the 2025 level. Capital items have not been included in the budget as funding is not available.

The council discussed budget cuts and revenue options to address a $575,000 deficit in the general fund. Staff presented several cost-saving measures, including staff attrition, deferring loan payments, and reallocation of existing revenues. The council was advised that staff cuts would be detrimental to operations and services. Revenue options presented included a public safety sales tax, utility tax increase, and B&O tax. Staff recommended implementing new revenues rather than making deep cuts to services. The council was asked to provide direction regarding next steps to address the deficit for 2026.

The council considered various options to address the budget gap, including reallocation of funds, cuts to services, and potential tax increases. They agreed to explore reducing overtime costs, limiting FTEs, and looking at creative ways to cut expenses without affecting essential services. The council also discussed a proposed 0.1% sales tax for public safety but expressed concerns about further increasing utility taxes. Also discussed were budget cuts and ways to save money without raising taxes. They debated closing the community building, which would save $5,000, but questioned if it was worth the loss of revenue. The group also considered reducing library hours but acknowledged this might face resistance from library supporters. The council concluded that any options to save money, including changes to newsletters and other public services, should be communicated clearly to the community to demonstrate their efforts to avoid tax increases.

The Council will make a decision regarding the HB 2015 tax on Thursday October 2, 2025, after the public hearing.

27 days ago, City of Kalama

City Council Meeting Recap: 10.02.2025

Kalama City Council held a public hearing to consider the implementation of a public safety sales tax under HB 2015 approved by legislature this last spring. This is a sales tax, so it draws from all service users (not just the city residents) providing a large(r) tax base. Costs for public safety continue to rise and the demand for service is constant. The legislature has provided cities with this tax and the associated grant (for hiring & training) as a tool to help manage the costs through local authority. After the public hearing, the Council adopted Ordinance 1540 which will implement the new sales tax to begin January 1, 2026.

The Council also adopted Ordinance 1541 which reallocates a portion of the existing general fund capital facilities utility tax from the current reserve and debt service accounts to the general fund, effective October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027. This will provide some interim funds to help with the current general fund deficit the city is experiencing, without increasing taxes.

FOLK co-president Ruthie Tippin addressed the Council announcing October is “Friends of the Library” month. She reviewed the ways FOLK (Friends of the Library at Kalama) raises funds and provides volunteer services in support of our library programs.

Mayor Reuter noted that Councilmember Deb Geiger has submitted her resignation from Council position #5. She has recently married and will be moving outside the city limits. The city is accepting applications for the open position and has set a special meeting for October 13th at 6pm to interview candidates for appointment. Mayor Reuter and Council thanked Ms. Geiger for serving. Ms. Geiger noted that it is important work and greatly appreciates the dedication the councilmembers and City staff show as they operate the city.

In reports it was noted that the Library has increased services and expanded its footprint in the community over the last five years—increasing cardholders and programs. The Tourism application window has closed, and the City received applications totaling over $66,000 for event funding. Lodging taxes are anticipated to only be $55,000 in 2026, so the Committee and Council will need to make some decisions. The sewer line replacement project continues on 3rd St, Holly Blvd, 2nd St and on to Taylor Rd with completion anticipated mid-December.

Upcoming events & dates:
• 10/4 KAMA’s Autumn Art in the Park (10am-4pm)
• 10/4 Kalama Lion’s Walk N’ Knock (donations can be dropped at Kalama Helping Hand)
• 10/16 Council Workshop @ 6pm – utility rate setting software overview
• 10/16 Council Public Hearing @ 7pm – revenues (proposed property tax levy, and 2026 fees, charges, proposed utility rate increases, garbage rate increases, building permit fees and other miscellaneous fees)
• 10/31 Fibre Federal’s 1st Street Trick or Treat event, 4-6pm

27 days ago, City of Kalama

The Kalama Planning Commission will hold a meeting on Thursday, October 9th, 2025 at 6:00pm.
Location: 320 N 1st Street (council chambers)
Agenda and virtual attendance information is available through the calendar on the website or here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa

27 days ago, City of Kalama

Planning Commission Meeting - Thursday October 9th, 2025 at 6:00pm at 320 N 1st Street & via Zoom. The agenda & virtual attendance info are available through the calendar at www.cityofkalama.com

The Kalama City Council will hold a special meeting to interview candidates for vacant council position #5 on Monday, October 13, 2025 @ 6pm at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama, WA 98625.
Application deadline: October 7, 2025 @ 5pm
Refer to this article for details.

27 days ago, City of Kalama

City Council special meeting - to interview candidates for vacant council position #5. Monday, October 13, 2025 @ 6pm at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama, WA 98625

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.

28 days ago, City of Kalama

Salary commission will meet on October 9th at 4pm at the council chambers at 320 N 1st Street. The agenda is available through the calendar at www.cityofkalama.com

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.

29 days ago, City of Kalama

Topic: review applications for 2026. Tourism advisory committee meeting, open to the public, on Wednesday, Oct. 8th, location: 320 N 1st St. Kalama. agenda and zoom info at www.cityofkalama.com

The Kalama City Council will hold a workshop on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 6pm to present WaterWorth utility rate software to show different scenarios and provide information on how the software works to recommend utility rates. They will meet in the council chambers at 320 N 1st Street, and will stream via Zoom. Meeting information can be found here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa .