January 2026 Message from City Manager John Mauro

January 1, 2026

Happy New Year to you and yours!

The City team and I are eager to make 2026 a fantastic year for what we – and you – can all do together. With our balanced, strategic, and fiscally responsible 2026 budget and our visionary 2025-2045 Comprehensive Plan both in place, we’re ready to roll.

Here’s a preview of what’s to come with something city-related for each month of 2026:

The Washington State Legislative session kicks off on January 12. The City is already working with our legislators and partners to advance an agenda focusing on housing, transportation, and climate action. It’s another tough year for state budgets, but we remain ready to advocate for our community with a few trips planned to Olympia during the session.
A reimagined Soundcheck Art and Music Festival returns in February, with arts-centered workshops, projects, and performances, all free and all ages thanks to the City’s Creative District and organized in partnership with dozens of local artists and organizations.
The Mayor and I will deliver a State of the City address in March. As usual, we will give a preview of the Annual Report to the community and provide a forum for ideas, engagement, and discussion. There’s also the Connectivity Summit from March 27-29 at Fort Worden.
Volunteer Appreciation Month is April. Volunteers work with the City and our community to enhance a range of services and facilities, from parks to library, from police to advisory boards and commissions. Consider how you might be a good fit for a volunteer role. Look for our Comp Plan celebration in April as well.
Our legendary rhododendrons bloom in May, and so does our festival season and preeminent Rhody Week. We’re also hoping to cut the ribbon on new sidewalks this spring.
Summer Reading starts in June. The program includes self-paced reading challenges (with prizes!), interactive programs and activities, and live performances and events.
Annual strategic work-planning happens in July, with the City Council, Department Directors, and I gathering all day to work out a plan for 2027. Indeed, it’s only half-way through the year, but time to get thinking about the following year so we can start our budget process and be forward-focused like we are this year.
We kick off the budget process in August. A draft workplan in hand, we then look to assemble and deliver a budget for City Council consideration later in the year. We hope to continue our progress in consecutive balanced, strategic, and fiscally responsible budgets.
Maximum festival season might just be September, with our Wooden Boat the largest in North America and celebrating 49 years. We are also eager to put yet more awarded state funds to work on Lawrence Street.
Our community puts on an impressive Halloween show in October, and we will continue the street and infrastructure push before winter creeps up on us.
We often have City Council elections in November, but 2026 is a year in between local election cycles. That said, you can always raise your perspectives with the City and City Council at any regular business meeting or in many other ways I describe below.
We usually finish our six-month budget process in December, and I anticipate another “road show” and distribution of our new budget video (here) to ensure you have a chance to be involved and have your say.

We have a whole lot more planned for 2026, so stay tuned to the enews to learn more.

A few other ways to get engaged and learn more:

Listen to the Brewocracy Now! broadcast on 91.9 KPTZ each Thursday from 1230-1 (and now rebroadcast on Wednesdays).
Watch our short videos and submit a question to our new “Ask the City” feature on our homepage (here).
Join me for my next community coffee conversation on January 9, from 9-1030am at the Coyote and Crow Cafe at the PT Golf Park.
Reach out by email at jmauro@ciytofpt.us.