The Kent City Council and Committee of the Whole addressed key operational and financial updates during their Oct. 7, 2025, meeting, including a significant move to modernize city services and secure parkland.

The Council unanimously approved a five-year contract to update the city’s 35-year-old utility billing software, finally enabling features like paperless billing and autopay for customers.

In a separate move, the city secured a $939,600 grant toward the purchase of the 1.33-acre Uplands Park Extension, which the city has long leased.

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The Council also received a presentation on the 2026 Mid-Biennium Budget, detailing plans for using the new 0.1% sales tax revenue to fund 11 new police officers and allocating opioid settlement funds for crucial police equipment.

Council Approves Update To 35-Year-Old Billing System

At the Committee of the Whole, the council voted unanimously in support of a 5-year contract for new utility billing software. This will finally allow customers modern options, like going paperless and the ability to set up autopay. In addition, the new system will be better supported, and compatible with staff laptops.

Grant Received For Uplands Park Extension

After leasing the 1.33-acre Uplands Park Extension from Union Pacific for many years, at roughly $3,000 per year, the city has decided to purchase the land outright. This decision comes after Union Pacific hinted they would be raising the rent. The acquisition process is moving forward with the help of a newly awarded $939,600 grant. The total acquisition cost will include a 10% matching contribution from the city.

Employee Of The Month

Autumn Heerspink was chosen by her Kent staff peers as October Employee of the Month. Heerspink was hired as a corrections officer in 2021. Job duties of corrections officers include custodial and maintenance work, along with taking care of people in the jail, preventing escapes, and maintaining civil rights compliance. Heerspink is hard working, positive, and full of integrity. 

Since the day she was hired, she has approached her job with a smile and a can-do attitude. In 2024, she was also voted Corrections Officer of the Year. Chief Rafael Padilla said Heerspink makes others feel good about coming to work. He added that these behind-the-scenes officers do critical work, and too rarely get praise for it.

Unkitawa’s Indigenous Days

Councilmember Brenda Fincher shared that there will be a free Indigenous Day Celebration on Oct. 11. The festivities include performances of all types, including music and dance, plus craft vendors and foods. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will take place at 816 Central Ave N. See link above for details.

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2026 Mid-Biennium Budget Hearing

The council heard a presentation on budget updates, including the planned use of the 0.1% sales tax increase and opioid settlement money. The sales tax is estimated to bring in $3.65 million in new revenue, which will go to a special fund for public safety use only. This revenue will pay for 11 new police officers along with their onboarding costs and gear. The opioid settlement funds will pay for a narcotics detection canine, a narcotics detection device, and a whole-body security scanning system for the jail. There will be further discussion of the budget amendments at the Oct. 21 meeting.

Senior Center News

The mid-biennium budget allotted a $60,000 increase to continue funding meals at the Senior Center Lunch Program. The building will also get a makeover of its electrical system. The council approved a bid for the construction of a fully-functional photo-voltaic and battery energy storage system microgrid. 

This means the center will be equipped with solar panels and battery storage. It will maintain power in all kinds of winter storms or blackouts, making the city all the more prepared in case of disaster. In addition, with the cost of electricity expected to rise 18%, the energy savings will pay for the entire system in around 10 years. This project is largely grant funded.

Mellow DeTray

Mellow DeTray is a Seattle native who has spent the last 17 years raising her family in the region. For many years she published a moderately popular cooking & lifestyle blog, and she had a brief stint in political journalism during a local election. Clear and informative writing has always been a side hobby of Mellow’s and she looks forward to bringing you unbiased coverage of City Council meetings.