By Mellow DeTray

At the Normandy Park City Council study session on Oct. 27, 2026, councilmembers reviewed key proposals within the draft 2027–2028 biennial budget.

Highlighting the evening was strong endorsement from finance experts on the Citizen Budget Advisory Group, who praised the budget’s transparency and urged passage of a levy lid lift renewal to sustain local services.

Discussions centered on diverse community investments and operational priorities, ranging from expanding the planned Marvista Park bocce ball court and improving pedestrian road safety along 1st Avenue, to addressing structural park needs, hiring a grant-focused Deputy Public Works Director, and restructuring the city’s preschool program for long-term sustainability.

Residents will have the opportunity to weigh in further during a formal public hearing on Nov. 11 prior to final council adoption in December.

Public Comments

Two members of the Citizen Budget Advisory Group spoke during public comments. Both have decades of experience in finance and professional budgets, and both were effusive in their support for the city budget. They said the proposed 2027-2028 biennial budget is thoughtful, well-prepared, and full of detail and transparency. They recommended approving it. One also mentioned how important it will be to pass the renewal of the levy lid lift, in order to maintain the current level of city services.

Preliminary Budget Hearing

The council expressed support for an increase to the planned expenditure for a bocce ball court at Marvista Park. The bocce ball court was originally going to be half-size, but residents who play the game have expressed that a half-size bocce ball court will not be of much use.

At an additional cost of $27,000, the city can extend the court from the intended 45’ to the regulation 91’ long. In addition, rather than gravel, the court will likely be covered in crushed oyster shells. This is the traditional surface, and will come at further expense. However, councilmembers felt that having a proper, traditional, and regulation bocce ball court will be of immediate benefit to the city.

Other capital improvements are planned for improving road safety , including lighted beacons and a pedestrian refuge at five midblock crossings along 1st Avenue South. Structural safety will likely need to be addressed at the Marine View Park stair tower. Restrooms at multiple parks are also being planned.

A new Deputy Public Works Director position is being budgeted for. This would be a support position as well as have a strong focus on obtaining grants. The new full-time position will come at some additional cost, but that cost will be offset by incoming grants.

The preschool was discussed as well. City Manager Arrington said preschool revenue has never kept up with expenses. However, this year that gap has only grown. Councilmember Mike Bishoff said they would not consider closing the preschool, as people came out of the woodwork to support the institution when its closure was discussed several years ago. The solution includes likely raising attendance fees and finding ways to increase enrollment. Mayor Eric Zimmerman said they might need to make it a full-day program. He said that full-day preschools have waiting lists of hopeful families, while half-day programs are less helpful to many.

City Manager Amy Arrington said that the city is fiscally healthy, thanks to previous levy lid lifts by voters. She said these levy lid lifts allow the city to keep up with increasing expenses. There is currently a six-year levy that will expire at the end of 2028, so a renewal will be presented for consideration in 2027.

There will be a public hearing on the biennial budget on Nov. 11, with council adoption planned for Dec. 12.