Vancouver to add $140.2M to 2023-24 budget

The city of Vancouver is working to increase its 2023-24 budget by $140.2 million.

On Monday, the Vancouver City Council approved the first hearing of the 2023-24 supplemental budget, which will add to the already-approved $1.7 billion budget.

“The supplemental budget continues to reflect priorities of the City Council and the community,” City Manager Eric Holmes said in a press release. “These adjustments are intended to continue to support a safe and vibrant community through investments in services and capital projects over the biennium.”

The supplemental budget includes $36.1 million for changes in the operating budget and $104.1 million for changes to capital projects and supporting funding transfers.

The adjustments are mostly administrative and reflect new revenue sources — such as funds from a national opioid settlement and the multifamily tax-exemption program — as well as a $10.1 million spending increase for Vancouver’s General Fund.

Roughly 75 percent of the $140.2 million will go toward property acquisitions, parks programs, large-scale transportation projects, waste and wastewater projects, and capital funding transfers for large city projects estimated at $37 million.

The city hopes to add $13.6 million to the general, street and fire funds for various grants and programs, such as the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, fire vehicle replacements and transportation system upgrades.

The supplemental budget also accounts for the creation of eight jobs since November, including the hiring of a deputy police chief.

On Monday, the city council will host a second reading and public hearing before approving the supplemental budget.

A breakdown of the city’s 2023-24 budget and the proposed supplemental budget can be viewed at www.cityofvancouver.us/budget.