Tacoma Proposes Cutting Farmers Market Funding as It Tackles a $40 Million Gap

Tacoma’s proposed budget cuts reach all the way to the farmers market. The city’s 2027–2028 spending plan would eliminate operating funding for the downtown and Proctor farmers markets, a reduction listed at $54,700 over the two-year budget. It is one piece of the effort to close a projected $40 million General Fund gap, putting a familiar community institution alongside staffing and service changes now headed for City Council review.

The city has supported the two markets since 2009 and says they now have independent financial structures that allow it to withdraw that contribution. Its budget documents state that the change is not expected to affect market operations. Funding for SNAP Market Match would continue, preserving support that helps eligible shoppers stretch their food benefits for fresh produce. For residents who shop at the markets, the proposed change concerns city operating support; the city is not announcing that either market will close.

The larger problem is an ongoing mismatch between what Tacoma’s services cost and the revenue available to pay for them. City Manager Hyun Kim presented the proposal on October 6, describing a plan to bring recurring expenses into line with recurring income. The $40 million gap concerns the General Fund, which supports services including police, fire, libraries and community programs. Although the overall proposed city budget totals $5.3 billion, that money spans different funds and purposes; it is not one unrestricted pot available to cover the shortfall.

Other changes could affect how residents receive help. The proposal would phase out the civilian Community Service Officer program, which handles certain low-risk and non-emergency incidents, and the HOPE team, which responds to behavioral health and substance-use crises. It also includes reductions in contracted human services. The city says Police and Fire would continue serving people assisted by the phased-out programs. Northwest Public Broadcasting reports that more than 100 city positions would be eliminated, including 35 currently filled jobs, with administrators working to find other placements for affected employees.

The neighborhood impact also extends to Tacoma’s creative economy and streetscape. The budget proposes ending operating support for Spaceworks Tacoma and eliminating the traffic-box wrap program’s funding, with each reduction listed at $50,000 for the biennium. The city says losing the wrap funding would limit its ability to install about 30 wraps in low-equity areas. Together with the market proposal, these changes show how balancing the books can reach beyond major departments into the smaller programs that help shape daily life.

Residents still have time to respond. Public budget hearings are scheduled for October 27 and November 10, with adoption expected November 17. Department presentations begin at City Council study sessions on October 13, offering a closer look at the choices behind the numbers. If market support, community services or neighborhood programs matter to you, the city’s budget page includes the proposed changes, hearing schedule and department-by-department details. Read more here.