(VANCOUVER, WA.)—The city council meeting on April 6 navigated a blend of routine administrative approvals, several proclamations, and key financial discussions.
Photo Credit: CVTV
Mayor Anne-McEnerny-Ogle begins by recognizing Community Development Week (Apr. 6-10, 2026), highlighting it as a time to celebrate the success of the community development block grant program and the home investment partnerships program.
“The CDBG program provides funding for services, neighborhood improvements, and economic opportunities for people with low to moderate incomes, and has been doing so since 2002. The home investment partnership program provides funding to create decent, safe, affordable housing in Vancouver. Home funds have supported 383 rental units, 40 homeowners and over 800 renters with rental assistance,” McEnerny-Ogle said.
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The mayor goes on to acknowledge the partnerships it takes to make these outcomes possible.
“The city of Vancouver recognizes that the CDBG and home funding is a partnership of federal, state, and local government, nonprofit and community efforts, and relies heavily on the dedication and goodwill of combined efforts.
Additional proclamations included Arbor Month/Day (Apr. 2026 / Apr. 8, 2026) and recognizing Lonnie and Cora Chandler for their 37 years of service with Java House.
Community communications brought only one member of the public yet again to speak before the council. This has been a trend in recent weeks, as reported here and here.
Bruce Barnes expresses concern about city contracts being awarded to out-of-town contractors, leading to local union halls (specifically electricians) suffering from unemployment. He urged the council to consider implementing Project Labor Agreements, citing successful partnerships with the Kalispel Indian tribes for quality work.
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“I noticed on some of these bids here that there's out of town contractors and I understand it's the lowest responsible bidder, but man I'll tell you, our union halls are suffering. We've got over a thousand electricians out of work. And I would hope that you take that into consideration when you guys do your bids” Barnes said.
“The 2025-26 First Supplemental Budget was approved unanimously, making supplemental appropriations and adjusting revenues based on declining permit activity, shifts in cable subscribers, and the inclusion of Proposition 5 revenue, OpGov.news reports.
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The approval of the 2025-26 First Supplemental Budget, notably, involved the removal of Proposition 2 bank capacity revenue for 2026.
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This decision, aimed at moderating property tax increases following Proposition 5's approval, effectively defers critical funding for fire department capital projects, necessitating an interim loan from the general fund, OpGov.news said.
Photo Credit: CVTV
Councilor Ty Stober asks for more information concerning the removal of the bank capacity revenue.
Vancouver City Manager Lon Pluckhahn provides an answer to the councilor.
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“It was really to avoid hitting taxpayers with two tax increases in the same calendar year, knowing that the approval of proposition five we asked them for a pretty steep jump just with that one ask. And with the proposition two bank capacity it would have almost doubled it up,” Pluckhahn said.
Councilor Diana Perez asks what impact this will have on the fire department.
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The city manager explains more about where that funding will come from.
“We still have the bank capacity, and we do anticipate tapping into that in 2027. But the purpose of the internal loan that Shannon was outlining will let us keep moving with the capital projects,” Pluckhahn said.
Ultimately, the 2025-26 First Supplemental Budget was approved unanimously, making supplemental appropriations and adjusting revenues based on declining permit activity, shifts in cable subscribers, and the inclusion of Proposition 5 revenue.
If you would like to comment or add to these reports, please email me at rory.h@lead4earth.org.
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