Chelan County, cities discuss how much and where to best spend 2027 tax revenues

Services we come to expect and the cost to provide those services took center stage in discussions before the Chelan County Commissioners Monday afternoon. Similar debate will commence Tuesday night among Chelan City Councilors during the first in a series of 2027 budget workshops.

"It's a little more acute this year because of what we're seeing in the economy," said Chelan City Administrator Laura McAloon. "Its the same thing all of our residents are experiencing. Everybody else is seeing double digit increases in their home expenses and they're not seeing an increase in their tax home pay. That's really the same situation on a bigger scale."

"Our parks department doesn't get a cut of the taxes," Councilman Brad Chitty commented as he considers priority spending. "We're doing that (funding parks) through our general fund. That's always a hot button of how do we address that."

"Everything that the parks department manages, and when you compare that with what any other town of 4,800 people have in terms of a park system, we might be the only municipality in the country that does not use local taxes to support our park system," Chelan Mayor Erin McCardle said. McCardle says city parks are supported through visitor generated revenues.

The mayor noted that in some instances, costs not controlled by the city are increasing at rates of 15-20% a year, at a time when the city keeps flat expenses it can control.

"Expenses are growing at a rate that are not at the same pace as revenue," McCardle added. "We have to be looking at both sides of that equation and we can't reduce services out of a growing budget."

Chelan City council workshops on the municipal golf course begins at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday and the topic turns to the 2027 budget Thursday night this week.

View the city council workshops here.

Chelan County Commissioners began discussing projected revenues and expenses with department directors Monday afternoon at the county courthouse. The commissioners continue those talks Tuesday.

Watch and listen to the commissioners' discussions at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday with the Chelan County Auditor, Natural Resources Director and Chelan County Sheriff here.