As the City of Aberdeen tries to plan ahead in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, an ad hoc committee has been formed to address budget issues the city will face with potential losses in revenue.

“At this time Mayor (Pete) Schave suggested, and I concur, that we may be well served to form an ad hoc committee on COVID-19 budget matters,” said Aberdeen City Council President Dee Anne Shaw at Wednesday’s council meeting. “I propose it to be made up of current members of the finance committee and at least one member from the Public Works committee and Public Safety committee.”

Earlier in the meeting, Finance Committee Chairwoman Debbie Ross said that committee was receiving information about revenue forecasts in relation to COVID-19 “to start making some plans for the future of the city.” Aberdeen, like most municipalities across the state, are expecting to see declines in tax revenue and state funding in the months and years following the lifting of Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home order.

Don McMaster, Public Works accountant and current interim assistance finance director, is putting together the information for the council. McMaster was recently named to the position after the previous finance director, Clifford Frederickson, resigned.

Shaw said it was her expectation the committee would meet regularly “to further understand the situation and report back to council” on the city’s finances as related to the pandemic.