Yakima residents want to keep the Harman Center and maintain spending on police.

That was the message from a community survey and town hall meetings this spring as the Yakima City Council considers how to tackle next year’s budget. The city faces an impending $9 million shortfall in its 2026 general fund.

Council members didn’t make any budget decisions at their Tuesday meeting, but they reviewed data from outreach efforts and a new budget committee’s work after approving several zoning ordinances.

Budget stays in focus

Council members balanced this year’s budget by reducing reserves and making small cost-cutting measures.

Next year’s budget will be stickier, particularly involving the general fund, which pays for a variety of services, including police, fire, and parks and recreation. The general fund is projected to have around $76 million in revenue and $85 million in expenditures.

The city has other funds – separate pots of money – designated for everything from waste and refuse services to debt service to capital projects and construction.

The city’s total budget next year is projected to be around $287 million in revenue and $286 million in expenditures, but that total budget often fluctuates based on construction and infrastructure projects which receive a combination of loan and grant funding.

City council members have focused on getting community feedback this year as part of a new priority-based budgeting process. Tuesday, a new finance and budget director was introduced to oversee that effort – Craig Warner, who formerly held a similar position for Yakima County before retiring earlier this year.

Feedback from surveys, meetings

The expected shortfall prompted the city to survey community members and hold town hall meetings to get feedback.

City Manager Vicki Baker led the town halls and has met with community groups and nonprofits to share information about the budget.

One takeaway from those feedback efforts was support for the Harman Senior Center near Summitview Avenue. Baker said more than 100 participants showed up to a budget presentation there and urged council members to keep the center open.

In the city’s budget survey, closing the Harman Senior Center was supported by just 18% of respondents. Council members, including Janice Deccio, Matt Brown, Rick Glenn and Reedy Berg said they wanted to keep the center open.

One idea is to increase fees charged by the center’s users.

Baker said a budget presentation at the Yakima Convention Center showed an interest in keeping youth programs and gang intervention work. Another at Davis High School centered on economic development as a way to increase city revenues in the long term.

Baker presented a budget survey that was filled out by more than 2,000 people, mostly from the western portion of Yakima.

The survey asked about peoples’ priorities for public spending, what they might be willing to cut and how they felt about property tax increases.

Police received the most votes as a priority – with 40% naming it their top priority. Street maintenance and infrastructure and parks, pools, community centers and sports programs received 26% and 25% of votes as a top priority. Fire services were at 9%.

There was support from survey respondents to increase property taxes to support police, the fire department and courts – up to 57% of respondents voted for that option in one question.

More than 50% of respondents supported eliminating three general fund expenditures when asked: lobbying and council member travel, fireworks and the Windows Alive! Project.

Respondents indicated they wanted to keep YPD units focused on gangs and narcotics. They also supported youth sports programs, the Harman Center and Franklin Pool.

Brown pointed out that many of the expenditures with broad support for elimination had low costs.

“A lot of the ones that are easy to cut, they don’t equate to a lot of money,” he said.

Glenn said some cuts, like to lobbyists, could leave the city without advocates who push for greater funding from outside sources, like the state government.

Brown and Mike Bailey, the outgoing interim finance and budget director, both discussed finding increased efficiencies and streamlining services.

Bailey presented on the new finance and budget committee’s work. City council members each appointed a member of a new committee to study the budget and propose solutions to budget issues.

Bailey said the committee was still trying to find common ground discussing those budget issues.

“The committee’s work is going to continue for at least a few more weeks as they work to come to a consensus,” he said.

Bailey said committee members had learned about state law and budget constraints and spoken with city officials.

They had discussed ways of increasing revenue, including higher charges to non-residents or neighboring communities for services or increasing sales or property taxes.

Jeanna Hernandez, a member of the committee, said it needed more time to present agreed upon recommendations with a solid rationale. Another member, Gunnar Berg, briefly presented his own ideas after serving on the committee.

Other news

Council members unanimously approved two zoning ordinances.

• City council members approved changes to requirements for land-use permits. The changes will require less time and paperwork for some land use permits in various types of zones, including for bakeries and congregate living facilities. Reviews of short-term rentals and auto dealership applications will have more steps.

• Another zoning update will make it easier for new businesses to take over an existing storefront. If a new business moves into a building without changing how it is used, there will be fewer steps to get city approval.

Editor’s Note: The King Clancy Memorial Trophy is presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community. Each NHL Club nominates a player to be considered for this recognition, and each nominee has a unique and powerful connection to his community efforts. Today, the Edmonton Oilers nominee for the 2024-25 season – Darnell Nurse – shares his story.

Sports can have a big impact on the community, and no one represents that impact better than Free Play for Kids.

It’s a charity that provides sports programs for youth in Edmonton to play, belong, and grow in a safe and accessible environment. The programs are delivered at no cost, and they offer a support system to help newcomers, refugees, and kids who are facing tough financial situations.

When I spend time with the kids at Free Play, they remind me of the joy that comes with playing sports.

They also remind me of my dad.

My dad, Richard, was 7 years old when he immigrated to Canada. His parents were born in Trinidad, and they moved here as a family for a chance at a better life.

Many values from their journey have stuck with me. Their courage to start over and the sacrifices they made were combined with a strong work ethic. My grandpa set an example: For almost 30 years, he worked a blue-collar job at the steel factory in Hamilton, guided by the dream of giving his family the opportunity to be anything they wanted to be.

But from the perspective of a 7-year-old like my dad, coming to Canada must have been a huge adjustment. It’s a new country. The weather is a lot colder. And he probably wasn’t sure how he’d fit in.

Until he found sports.

One of the first things he did was learn to play hockey. It gave him a group of friends where he could feel welcome. From there, my dad started exploring other sports on a path that took him all the way to the Canadian Football League. The initial connection to sports changed everything and allowed him to relate to the community.

Free Play creates those connections every day for kids who really need them. Their work has empowered thousands of kids in Edmonton, and I’m proud to have partnered with Free Play since 2021.

Together, we launched the “Captain of the Week” program for all 24 elementary schools in Free Play’s network. Each week, one student at every school is recognized for their leadership qualities and invited to be my guest at an Oilers game.

I also visit Free Play to join their floor hockey games and be a mentor. I’m blown away by these kids: Their stories have a mix of resilience and innocence that really comes across when they get a chance to enjoy sports without any barriers. I have so much fun hanging out with them … and they make some impressive friendship bracelets, which I’ve been lucky enough to receive.

RICHMOND, Va. (May 8, 2025) – The ECNL is pleased to announce that Chicago Inter has been promoted into the ECNL Boys – Midwest Conference, and Colorado EDGE and Colorado Rush have been promoted into the ECNL Boys – Mountain Conference for the upcoming season.  

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Chicago Inter, Colorado EDGE and Colorado Rush into ECNL Boys for the 2025-26 season,” said ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney. “Each club has had consistent success in the ECNL Regional League over multiple years, operating in areas of the country where we have identified growth opportunities. All of them will continue to push the league forward in level and quality.” 

These promotions bring the ECNL Boys to 165 clubs nation-wide in the 2025-26 season, supported by almost 350 more clubs in the ECNL Regional League. Together, these two competitions represent the strongest and most stable boys’ youth soccer competition in America, with competition and showcasing opportunities for all, in the only platform with a proven pathway for performance. 

Below is more information about each promoted club. 

Chicago Inter

Location: New Lenix, IL

Founded: 2006

Chicago Inter will be joining the ECNL Boys – Midwest Conference after strong performances during the past few seasons in the ECNL Regional League. Last season, the club’s U15 team finished as runner-up in the ECNL Regional League National Finals to Philadelphia Ukrainians, another promoted club. This season, Chicago Inter’s U13 team is leading the ECNL Regional League – Chicago Metro and its U16 team is in second, both of which are currently qualified for the ECNL Boys Regional League Playoffs – Central. With two more teams within striking distance of a playoff position, Chicago Inter is primed for more success heading into its promotion. 

“Being promoted to Boys ECNL is an incredible milestone for our program,” said Chicago Inter Technical Director Sena Halilovic. “It reflects the dedication of our players, coaches, and families — and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to compete among the nation’s best. Thank you to the ECNL, its board directors and its employees, you made our dream come true. It’s a great feeling to be a full ECNL club member with the boys and girls programs.”

Colorado EDGE

Location: Arvada, CO

Founded: 1969

Colorado EDGE has earned promotion into the ECNL Boys – Mountain Conference through its success within the ECNL Regional League – Mountain, where the club’s U18/19 team currently sits in first, and three more teams are one spot out of a playoff position. Last season, Colorado EDGE sent its U13 and U17 teams to the ECNL Boys Regional League Playoffs – Central, competing well against top clubs from the region.  

“We are very excited and thankful to the ECNL for our promotion into the ECNL Boys,” said Colorado EDGE CEO David Kramer. “This achievement is a direct result of the dedication, talent, and hard work displayed by our players, coaches, and club leadership over the years. The ECNL is the gold standard of playing leagues and competition across the country and we look forward to competing against the best.” 

Colorado Rush

Location: Littleton, CO

Founded: 1997

Colorado Rush is in its second season in the ECNL Boys Regional League – Mountain, and its success on the field has earned the club promotion into the ECNL Boys – Mountain Conference for the 2025-26 season. Colorado Rush currently leads the Regional League – Mountain in the U14 and U15 age groups, and is in second place in the U17 age group. Two more teams are just outside of a playoff position, giving the club the opportunity for multiple representatives at the ECNL Boys Regional League Playoffs – Central.

“Earning a place in ECNL is a tremendous accomplishment for our boys program,” said Colorado Rush President/CEO John Carroll. “This promotion recognizes the hard work and dedication of our players, coaches, and families. It also aligns with our commitment to offering the very best development pathway for aspiring collegiate and professional players.”

###

About the ECNL:

The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential. 

The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.

The ECNL Commitment:

We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.

www.TheECNL.com 

ECNL FB: @TheECNL  |  ECNL IG: @TheECNL  | ECNL X: @TheECNL 

Job Title: Youth Basketball Coach

Department: Youth Basketball

Business Unit: KSE

Location: Denver, CO

Reports To: Youth Basketball Director

Employment Type: Variable Hour, Non-Exempt, Seasonal

Supervisor Position: No

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is an American Sports and Entertainment holding company based in Denver, Colorado. KSE is committed to providing world class sports and entertainment for both live and broadcast audiences. We are the employer of choice as the owner and operator of Ball Arena, DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, the Paramount Theatre, Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Altitude Sports & Entertainment, Major League Fishing/Fishing League Worldwide (MLFLW), Winnercomm, Outdoor Sportsman Group, and SkyCam.

Position Overview:

The goal of the Denver Nuggets youth basketball department is to increase the participation, passion, and quality of youth basketball in the state of Colorado. This is achieved through various programming and relationships with local youth basketball operators. The youth basketball coach will teach the basics of basketball in a highly entertaining and engaging fashion. This position plays a vital role in the growth of youth basketball and the development of the Denver Nuggets fan base. This is a seasonal part-time position with employment concluding August 30th, 2025.

Position Duties

• Follow policies established by DNBA, KSE, and Jr. NBA
• Teach and demonstrate basketball techniques to youth ages 6-17 years old at Denver Nuggets Basketball Academy (DNBA) events
• Build basketball lesson plans and curriculums as needed
• Fan engagement/interaction as a Denver Nuggets Brand Ambassador
• Provide customer service to DNBA participants
• Travel to different locations within Colorado for DNBA events
• Other duties as assigned

Position Schedule

Dates: 6.30.25 – 7.2.25 – 6:45am – 12:30pm 

• Location: Gold Crown Fieldhouse – 150 S Harlan St, Lakewood, CO 80226

Dates: 7.14.25 – 7.16.25 – 6:45am – 12:30pm

• Location: NOCO Sports Center – 5699 Crooked Stick Dr, Windsor, CO 80550

Dates: 7.28.25 – 7.30.25 – 6:45am – 12:30pm

• Location: The Courts Sports Complex – 11295 Washington St, Northglenn, CO 80233

Dates: 8.6.25 – 8.8.25 – 6:45am – 12:30pm

• Location: Gold Crown Fieldhouse – 150 S Harlan St, Lakewood, CO 80226

Additional events TBD

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Typical office conditions
• The ability to physically demonstrate all skills necessary for the sport being coached
• Continuous: standing, walking, jogging, lifting, and running
• Frequently: stooping, kneeling, crouching, bending at the waist, twisting, balancing, squatting, standing in place
• Lift 50 lbs. daily
• Work is occasionally performed with exposure to extreme weather conditions or loud noises.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications (Applicants must meet these minimum qualifications at the time of hire)
  • High School Diploma or GED required
  • Possession of a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to travel in state
  • Ability to pass a background check
  • One year of basketball coaching experience at the recreational, middle school, high school, or collegiate level
  • High school or collegiate level playing experience
  • Ability to build basketball related lesson plans and curriculums
  • Customer service experience
  • Must be able and willing to work the majority of DNBA. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  • Knowledge of technical aspects of the assigned sport and willingness to continue to learn new ideas pertinent to the sport or coaching in general.
  • Must be able to obtain required training certifications including but not limited to First-aid, CPR, and AED, SafeSport, USA Basketball, and Positive Coaching Alliance. All training must be completed within 60 days of hiring.

Competencies/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• A strong passion for youth basketball
• Ability to understand and carry out instructions given in written, oral, or diagram form
• Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in a variety of situations
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as in a team environment
• Ability to communicate with individuals of all ages and all experience levels in a clear and concise manner. Comfortable working in front of large crowds
• Must be personable, enthusiastic, and very outgoing
• Organized and detail driven
• Ability to apply superb judgment and to work collaboratively
• Ability to positively represent the Denver Nuggets brand

Compensation

• Base hourly range: $18.81 per hour

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Rep. Elizabeth Caruso, R-Caratunk, presents LD 868, a bill that would require school sports teams to be designated as male, female or coed, before members of the Judiciary Committee at the State House Thursday. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA — The debate over transgender athletes competing in girls sports drew hundreds to the Maine State House Thursday for a daylong series of public hearings on proposals to restrict participation and roll back gender identity protections in the state’s antidiscrimination law.

Bills taken up by the Judiciary Committee would cut state funding to schools that allow transgender athletes to participate in girls sports, require sports teams to be either male, female or coed, and prevent schools from allowing students to use restrooms that don’t correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth.

One bill would revise the Maine Human Rights Act to remove parts of the law that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. School districts and the governing body of high school sports in Maine cite the law as why they allow students to participate in sports in a way that affirms their identity.

The hearings come after the Trump administration sued Maine last month for allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls sports, saying it violates a federal law protecting women from discrimination in education. The administration also has moved to cut off federal funding to the state until it bans trans athletes, although the state has so far fended off any cuts in court.

Two transgender athletes in Maine have attracted scrutiny amidst the national attention, although it’s unknown how many trans students are participating statewide. Soren Stark-Chessa, a high school junior from Falmouth, spoke about her experience as a transgender cross-country and track athlete while testifying against the bills Thursday.

“When I realized I was trans and started running on the girls team, my perspective underwent a huge shift,” Stark-Chessa said. “Now, I wasn’t just competing as a way to manage stress. I was being open about who I was and I was able to form connections and bonds through this wonderful activity.”

“In short, my world went from black and white to vibrant color when I was able to exist as my true self,” she added.

Students opposed to bills that would ban transgender athletes from girls sports and roll back discrimination protections demonstrated in the Maine State House Thursday. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

The Maine Principals’ Association, the nonprofit that oversees high school athletic competitions in Maine, also weighed in on the bills Thursday, testifying neither for not against them. The MPA adopted the policy allowing trans athletes, which state officials say is consistent with the state’s antidiscrimination law.

Jared Bornstein, a representative of the MPA, said the group will follow whatever laws the state or federal government establish. But he also asked the committee to make the law “fully one or the other and avoid the middle ground,” such as by allowing the MPA to decide transgender athlete participation on a case-by-case basis.

“It would be our preference to have either fully allowing or fully disallowing,” Bornstein said.

BILL SUPPORTERS: IT’S ABOUT FAIRNESS

The bills heard Thursday were submitted prior to the Trump administration’s lawsuit, although the national attention has intensified debate at the State House. All of the proposals are from Republican lawmakers.

Rep. Elizabeth Caruso, R-Caratunk, said Thursday that her bill, LD 868, requiring school sports teams to be designated as male, female or coed, and prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports, would bring Maine into compliance with Trump’s executive order on the issue and prevent a loss of federal funding.

Caruso’s bill also would require schools to designate restrooms and changing rooms for use by males or females only, based on sex assigned at birth.

“The heart behind this bill is to provide safety, fairness, privacy and a fair playing field where all students have the opportunity to participate in sports,” Caruso said.

People on the fourth floor watch as House Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Katrina J. Smith, R-Palermo, Rep. Elizabeth Caruso, R-Caratunk, and supporters hold a news conference before the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee heard a series of transgender bills. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

She said the bill isn’t about discriminating against transgender students.

“Every athlete can still play and use private spaces,” she said. “But we have to have parameters for what that is. Every athlete will have a choice of two teams to play on: the team of their biological sex or a co-ed or mixed team.”

Two other bills also heard Thursday, LD 1134 and LD 233, would prohibit schools that receive state funding from allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports.

Supporters of the bills argue that transgender girls have physical advantages and that allowing them to participate in girls’ sports puts other girls at a disadvantage, causing them to lose first-place medals and podium spots, and potentially get overlooked by college coaches.

Bianca Wright, a 17-year-old student from Benton, told the committee that her girls basketball team played a game last winter against a co-ed team that was mostly boys. The girls felt uncomfortable and one girl ended up sitting out the game after she was elbowed in the face, Wright said. They also lost.

“The reason I tell you this is to give you an example of what it would look like if men continue to play against women,” Wright said. “I feel men should not be able to compete in women’s sports for many reasons. They are physically built differently, they play more aggressively. … For all the girls who worked hard all year, it’s disappointing to lose to a biological male.”

OPPONENTS: ‘TRANS KIDS JUST WANT TO BE ACCEPTED’

Opponents — and some lawmakers — raised questions about how schools would enforce policies prohibiting transgender athletes from participating. Opponents also said the bills seek to address something that isn’t really a problem while also perpetuating harmful narratives about transgender people.

“These proposals target transgender students — a small, vulnerable group of young people who already face significantly higher rates of bullying, homelessness and suicide,” said Beth Lambert, a parent from Fairfield who has also worked as a teacher and school administrator.

She questioned how schools would figure out which students are transgender.

“Will there be forms to fill out?” Lambert asked. “Investigations to open? If a student is accused of being trans, who is responsible for verifying that? Will teachers or administrators be expected to examine birth certificates — or worse, body parts?”

Stark-Chessa was joined Thursday by her brother and mother, who also testified against the bills.

Susan Stark said she is an educator who has had transgender students in her classroom before, though she didn’t really understand what it meant to be transgender until her youngest child came out as trans. When that happened, she said her family was mostly met with acceptance and love, though they did encounter some negativity.

“I suspect this negativity came from a place of not understanding what it means to be trans,” Stark said. “Trans kids just want to be accepted as the gender they are. Acknowledging this certainly benefits trans people, but in fact it benefits all of us to know we will be accepted as we are.”

Ellsworth High School student Felix Markosian, third from left, testifies against the transgender bills during a hearing before Legislature’s Judiciary Committee Thursday. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Felix Markosian, a senior at Ellsworth High School, told the committee that he received worried messages from trans friends earlier this week saying they didn’t know what they would do if the bills pass.

“Even these bills just being presented affects these kids so much,” Markosian said outside the hearing. “Even the thought of this becoming law and being the future is really scary and puts a lot of distress on these people. It’s not fair they have to go through that when every other kid in school doesn’t.”

Spokespeople for Gov. Janet Mills did not respond Thursday afternoon to questions about whether the governor has taken a position on any of the bills.

Attorney General Aaron Frey submitted testimony against the bills concerning transgender students in sports, as well as the bill expected to be heard later Thursday about removing gender identity from the Maine Human Rights Act.

HOW WOULD LAWS BE ENFORCED?

Some lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee also questioned how the bills presented Thursday would be enforced. The chairs of the committee, Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, and Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth, both asked how schools would verify that a student is transgender.

Caruso said that students who play school sports already have to have doctor’s physicals, and that doctors could verify a student’s birth sex during the physical.

“What if the physician feels it’s their ethical duty to affirm the student’s identity and that is what is sent to the school?” Kuhn asked. “Would there be consequences for the physician? And when the form is submitted to the school, is that the end of it? What if the school or community have questions. Is there further investigation?”

“My understanding is the definition for sex has to do with their reproductive system, so the doctor I think has a duty to put on the form what they were born with,” Caruso said. “It’s sex, not gender, on the form. I think that makes it clear.”

She also noted that other states have adopted policies prohibiting transgender athletes in youth sports. Nationwide, 26 states ban transgender youth from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity, according to the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit that tracks gender equality issues nationwide.

Copy the Story Link