Pullman Prepares 2027-28 Biennial Budget Amid Deficit

The city faces projected budget shortfalls for the next two years as expenses outpace anticipated revenue.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Budgeting

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing an isolated architectural model of a civic building, symbolizing municipal budget and structural planning. — Pullman city officials are finalizing a 2027-28 biennial budget projected to face a $3.1 million deficit, forcing a review of services. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Pullman city officials have begun the process of finalizing a 2027-28 biennial budget that currently features a combined projected deficit of over $3.1 million. Officials indicate that rising expenses and inflation have outpaced local income, leaving the general fund balance at risk of depletion by the end of 2028.

Why it matters

The city must now weigh difficult decisions regarding tax adjustments and service reductions to ensure long-term financial stability. With reserve funds no longer able to bridge the revenue gap, local leadership faces a critical transition in its fiscal planning.

The city projects a $34.78 million revenue against $36.43 million in expenditures for 2027, followed by $31.06 million in revenue versus $32.56 million in spending for 2028. This imbalance threatens to deplete the general fund balance entirely by late 2028.

The players

Pullman City Council

The legislative body of the city responsible for passing local ordinances and finalizing the municipal biennial budget.

The details

City staff are tasked with finalizing a financial plan that addresses structural revenue shortfalls through a series of public hearings and workshops. The council is currently evaluating potential service eliminations or tax increases to recover from a reliance on reserves that is no longer sustainable.

October 27, 2026: First budget workshop regarding administrative functions.
November 2, 2026: Second budget workshop for functional groups.
November 10, 2026: Next public budget hearing.
December 1, 2026: Scheduled adoption of the biennial budget.
End of 2028: Expected depletion of the general fund balance.

Market Dynamics

The city's fiscal strategy follows the mandatory balancing requirements of Washington state municipal budget requirements to ensure ongoing solvency. This process mirrors a wider trend of local governments struggling to reconcile inflationary costs with static revenue streams.

Residents may see changes to local tax rates or the reduction of city services as officials look for ways to balance the books. These fiscal shifts could impact the overall cost of living and the availability of municipal resources for local households.

The takeaway

Maintaining a balanced municipal budget requires proactive adjustments to align service levels with current economic realities. Residents should participate in upcoming public hearings to voice their priorities as the city determines how to bridge the funding deficit.

What happens next

The Pullman City Council is scheduled to hold a public budget hearing on Nov. 10, 2026, followed by the official adoption of the biennial budget on Dec. 1, 2026.