Finance Director Jeff Albbrrook told council that city revenues are projected to grow about 1% annually while inflation is roughly 4% per year, leaving a structural gap he said would require about $6.5 million in additional revenue to avoid cuts to services.

Transit Manager Wayne Thompson presented the 2026–31 Transit Development Plan and 2025 annual report, highlighting stable fares, lower diesel use, ridership below 2019 levels, a $20 million facility proposal, and goals to restore service and study a regional Moscow‑Pullman option.

Council members favored the planning commission’s owner-occupied exemption for short-term rentals but instructed staff to preserve key safety measures; staff warned verifying exemptions and enforcing occupancy limits could be difficult and could reduce on-site safety oversight.

Pullman staff presented the city’s first comprehensive stormwater management plan, describing permit-driven deadlines, a 10-year capital-improvement plan totaling roughly $14 million (grant-dependent flood projects excluded), and a proposed cost-of-service study to identify needed rate changes.

Pullman Transit told the City Council its 2024 highlights include expansion to serve every flight at Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport, a return to midnight service during semesters, an ongoing electric-bus purchase program and a planned $20 million transit facility in the capital plan.

At a Feb. 19 special meeting (recorded as the City of Poland Planning Commission), residents and STR operators offered competing views on proposed short‑term rental rules for Pullman — from one speaker’s call to audit the housing master plan to operators’ cost estimates — while commissioners debated a $200 lifetime application fee and whether the code should include a mechanism to revoke permits after repeated complaints. Staff will return revised language next week.

Council unanimously passed Resolution R-47-26 supporting Catholic Charities to conduct a housing market study focused on people who are unhoused and households at 60% of area median income; housing-work-group members urged coordination with local providers.

Chief Ryan Schornhorst briefed council on ambulance billing: no rate change since 2018, payer mix limits revenue (Medicaid ceiling $168.43), and a staff proposal to raise rates 10% annually over three years plus increase the extrication fee from $125 to $500.

City staff asked council to authorize applications for two state grant programs to fund design and NEPA for a proposed Pullman transit facility (estimated design/NEPA cost $3,000,850). Council approved resolutions to apply for both a State Bus & Bus Facilities grant and a WSDOT consolidated grant.

Council approved resolutions to apply for a WSDOT grant to buy a senior-center van ($115,000 estimate, 10% local match) and authorized applications for multi-year paratransit and fixed-route operating grants plus a capital request for two 35-foot battery-electric buses with a 10% local match.

At a June 30 Pullman council study session, Whitman County District Court Judge John Hart described upgrades to court technology and data systems, touted the therapeutic/community court’s 10 graduates and warned that state changes to public-defense caseload thresholds could strain local budgets and staffing.

Following a flow-and-loading study, council authorized resolution R-18-26 to execute a new interlocal agreement with Washington State University that reduces WSU’s share of wastewater treatment and interceptor costs from 36.4% to 28%, a change staff estimate will lower WSU’s annual contribution by about $275,000.

Mayor Willard updated the council on a Palouse Basin aquifer feasibility study: the lower aquifer is declining about 0.72 feet per year; preliminary results expected late 2026; a diversion near Lewiston with roughly 40 miles of piping and treatment near Moscow is among the options under study to provide an estimated supplemental supply (~10 cfs) for long‑term aquifer stabilization.

Economic Development Manager Sean Miller presented a three‑part economic vitality plan including business‑friendly process reforms, a Claritas retail‑leakage report showing roughly $400 million leaving Pullman annually, and a retail capture strategy focused on prepared sites and targeted recruitment; staff and developers also flagged statewide costs that constrain housing and construction.

The city adopted Ordinance 26-04 requiring registration of ground-floor vacant commercial spaces in the C-2 central business district after six months and approved a fee schedule (Resolution R0926) that phases from $250 the first year to $1,000 in year four and later.

At a January 2026 meeting, the Pullman Planning Commission heard public comment on proposed changes to Pullman City Code Chapter 17.109 (short‑term rentals). Commissioners directed staff to draft an exemption definition (owner‑occupied, two or fewer bedrooms) and asked building staff to map any category language to building‑code consequences so the commission can avoid unintentionally triggering sprinkler requirements.

Council accepted a $500,150.32 restricted donation from the American Legion and authorized acceptance of a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program grant to support development of the Pullman Veterans Memorial Park; grant funds must be used by 2027.

Pullman authorized a lease with Whitman County Emergency Management to remove an aging city radio tower and allow construction of a county-funded replacement tower on Southwest Skyline Drive; the project is funded by a 0.1% county sales tax and estimated at about $750,000.

After a quarterly financial update showing a roughly $1.2 million shortfall through three quarters and a general fund balance drop to about $3.5–3.6 million, the council adopted three tax-levy ordinances (regular levy, EMS levy, bond levy) and a Metro Parks 10% levy resolution.

State legislators visiting Pullman discussed the short session's budget constraints, transportation funding challenges, impacts of carbon‑related policies on housing costs, and pressures on rural hospitals and counties.

On Oct. 14 the Pullman City Council approved routine consent items, adopted a police support-services labor agreement and related budget amendment, updated a sales-tax-to-CIP designation ordinance, and directed staff to review short-term rental code sections; several Metro Parks motions were also approved.

Finance Director Jeff Albrecht told the council the city's general fund revenue is essentially flat, with a 2026 revenue budget of about $29 million and an expenses estimate of $31.5 million, creating a projected deficit that will require budget adjustments or new revenue streams.

Council members propose forming a task force to address community concerns and transparency.

Council members address the urgent need for affordable childcare options in Pullman.

Council discusses rising rent and housing shortages impacting business stability in Pullman.