The Centralia City Council approved the city’s FY26 budget at the regular council meeting on Monday night. The budget shows an overall surplus of roughly $455,000. A public hearing was held before the meeting to present the budget. No members of the public gave any questions or comments on the budget at the hearing.
The council also approved the annual property tax levy, keeping it the same as the previous year’s levy. Centralia city manager Galen Mahle said that due to increased revenue from the half-cent sales tax increase going into effect on January 1, the city did not need to increase the levy for a balanced budget this year.
An engineering agreement was approved with Milano and Grunloh for preliminary engineering for sidewalk improvements that would be supported by an ITEP grant the city has applied for.
Bidding requirements were waived, and the council approved the purchase of chemicals for the water treatment plant Hawkins, Inc. after Brenntag Inc., previously the low bidder to supply certain chemicals, notified the city that it could not meet delivery requirements.
Holiday bonuses were approved for city employees, with full-time employees receiving $100 and part-time employees receiving $50.
Approval was also given to hold the Downtown Christmas Stroll using city-owned property on Friday, December 5. The approval covers use for the theatre, as well as the city council chambers, where Centralia High School’s Rock 101 will be performing. The downtown stroll will last from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
