Our Renton is included in utility bills mailed to single-family residents and businesses and contains news, information, an event calendar and list of city contacts.
December 2024
Council adopts 2025-2026 biennial budget
Thought-out spending allows city to withstand challenging times
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During the council meeting on Monday, November 18, Renton City Council adopted the 2025-2026 biennial budget.
Renton’s thought-out spending approach has allowed the city to withstand challenging times over the past 20 years. The adopted budget includes investments in staffing to meet the needs of the community and create a positive long-term impact for residents.
This budget addresses three key priorities: cleanliness and condition, public safety, and social services.
The citywide budget calls for $648 million in spending and $645 million in projected revenue over the next two years.
The requests below are additional funds to the citywide budget based on priorities the mayor and city departments set.
Cleanliness & Condition: $24,520,000
Community & Economic Development
- Downtown Safe and Clean Initiative will focus on cleanliness and condition, along with public safety through:
- Enhanced code compliance
- Paint with Purpose program
- Extended contract for downtown cleaning
Parks
- Added Capital Project Manager to maintain the existing park infrastructure.
- Increase funding for capital improvement projects including assessments of existing parks and spaces, in addition to new developments.
Public Works
- Implement an asset management system and additional staffing to map and collect citywide data on inventory, age, condition, and repair history of infrastructure assets to better allocate funding for the department.
- Hire professional contract provider for park restroom cleaning, allowing bathrooms to stay open year-round.
Investments in capital improvement projects and staffing for city facilities and transportation functions.
Public Safety: $3,530,000
Parks
- Reclassify three park maintenance positions added in the prior biennium dedicated to encampment clean-up to a higher pay grade.
Police
- Eight new commissioned police officers will be added over the next two years to the Patrol Operations Division. These officers will improve patrol officer visibility and response time.
- Added evidence technician to process evidence, resulting in increased response to crime scenes.
- Increase the market rate wages for chief positions to encourage career growth within the department, retain experienced officers, and attract qualified candidates for future leadership roles.
Collision and crime scene software to support investigations in effectively mitigating crimes and threats, fully prioritizing the safety of all involved parties.
Public Works
- Budget for ongoing safety and compliance training for employees and the public, ensuring staff stay informed about new regulations and safety procedures to reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Social Services: $3,500,000
Parks
- The Renton Student Health Hub is a partnership with the Renton School District to connect Renton middle school students to mental health services that support their well-being in and outside the school setting.
The city has effectively controlled the increases in utility rates and property taxes over the years.
Utility rates are expected to vary per utility over the next two years. Residents can expect to pay roughly $0.50 more per utility over the next two years. Water utility rates will increase by 2% in 2025, with no increase in 2026. Sewer rates will not increase in 2025 but increase by 2% in 2026. Surface water will increase by 3.5% and garbage rates will increase by 6.2% yearly.
Property taxes will only increase by 2% in 2025. Property taxes make up only 8% of the citywide budget, with a larger amount coming from business taxes, utility user fees, and grant funding.
The City of Renton only receives 9% of property taxes, with the remaining 91% going towards Renton Regional Fire Authority, Renton School District, Sound Transit, King County, State school fund, King County Library System, Valley Medical Center, Port of Seattle, and emergency medical services.
Review the full 2025-2026 biennial budget on the city’s website at rentonwa.gov/budget.
Community Calendar
For info go to rentonwa.gov/events unless otherwise noted.
Battle of the Badges
DEC 14, Saturday, 5:30-8 p.m.
Renton Technical College, 3000 NE 4th St.
Join Renton Police and over 30 other regional agencies for the annual Battle of the Badges, Holiday Lights! New walk-through location. Vote for your favorites. Info: rentonwa.gov/battle
Winter Concert
DEC 15, Sunday, 2-3:30 p.m.
Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center 400 S. Second St.
Enjoy Renton City Concert Band under the direction of Dr. Naomi Fanshier. Ticket info at rentonwa.gov/events
Polar Bear Double Dip!
JAN 1, Wednesday
- 10 a.m.: Coulon Park, South Beach1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N.
- 12 p.m.: Henry Moses Aquatic Center, 1719 Maple Valley Hwy.
This year: two times and locations to choose from for an invigorating plunge! Free to register: rentonwa.gov/register