As the City of Burien stares down an impending “fiscal cliff,” the city council’s Study Session on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 served as a sobering deep dive into the municipality’s financial future.
Led by Finance Director Casey Headley and Senior Financial Analyst Kaitlyn Graham, the session laid bare a landscape of expiring ARPA grants and the sting of a recently rejected public safety levy.
From the impossible hurdles of establishing an independent police force to the potential lifeline offered by the newly minted House Bill 2015, the meeting highlighted a council in search of a sustainable path forward.
While attendance was sparse, the stakes discussed – balancing essential services against a looming deficit – could not have been higher for the residents of Burien.
ARPA Funds Set to Expire
The presentation covered costs and revenue of each department, and pointed out when there was potential for cost cutting. For most city departments, the services and staff are essential and cannot be cut. Several city funds have been temporarily inflated by ARPA funds, but these grants are expiring and there is no money to take their place.
Voters Reject Property Tax Levy
Recently the voters were asked if they would approve a public safety property tax increase. This levy was rejected by a few percentage points. During this study session, the idea of bringing the levy back at some point in the future was discussed, with perhaps different language or a new marketing strategy.
Proposed Sales Tax Could Generate $2.5 million
House Bill 2015 was discussed at length. This new bill allows cities to impose a small sales tax increase, with the revenue to be used solely for public safety. The anticipated revenue from this sales tax is $2.5 million. In addition, once the city has implemented the sales tax, Burien will be eligible for grant opportunities for even more public safety dollars. The council strongly supported this plan, and will be discussing its implementation at the next regular business meeting.
Independent Police Department Deemed Too Costly
Finance Director Headley also addressed the idea that Burien could establish its own independent police department, ultimately dismissing it as logistically unfeasible. While she characterized officer recruitment for smaller municipalities as “almost impossible,” she did not address how neighboring – and smaller – cities like Normandy Park and Des Moines successfully maintain their own forces. However, the primary deterrent remains financial: Headley estimated that launching a local department would cost $60 million. Compared to the city’s current $18.8 million contract with King County, which already consumes 43% of the budget, such an increase is a definitive fiscal deal-breaker.
Low Attendance
Mayor Sarah Moore mentioned that this meeting covered very important information, but only a few people were in attendance. She thought perhaps that much of the public doesn’t know about study sessions yet. No actual voting takes place during study sessions, but it gives the council an opportunity for a deep dive into learning about complicated topics.
Video
Watch full, raw video of this meeting below:
NO NEW TAXES, please. People on fixed incomes can’t afford them.
Each department needs to cut waste.
Under this Mayor and Deputy Mayor and Council, I would’ve voted for the Levy.
But not for them to build an independent police department. That’s not what I want Burien to waste money on.
The Levy as presented last time was for continuing the same level, if not more services due to funding cuts, it wasn’t even for an independent force so you’re wrong.
Great Yes! Keep on bringing in more new taxs. We need to all vote for more taxes, higher wages, way more road improvements and another bus lane too. Please get to the decriminalizing talks again – hopefully see something come to light
Whatever we can do to achieve it, let’s do it.