For the first time ever, all budget review meetings are being held in council chambers, and are being broadcast on the public access channel.

Councilman Tola Marts suggested the change to bring transparency to the process.

Monday evening’s budget work session focused on streamlining the process.

Budget discussions included hiring two more police officers, potential changes with the city’s relationship with Eastside Fire and Rescue and the $10 million park bond, which will be on the November ballot.

Various non-profit organizations’ budget needs were referred to the council’s Safety and Services Committee for review.

Mayor Ava Frisinger will present the proposed budget to council Oct. 1 and then to the community on Oct. 7. The council will hold another budget work session Oct. 14. Public hearings will be held Nov. 4 and 16.

In other news, the council also unanimously passed an ordinance that would make it a gross misdemeanor to commit a domestic violence offense in the presence of a child 16-years-old or younger.

“This will highlight the case for not exposing children to domestic violence,” said Issaquah Police Operations Commander Scott Behrbaum.

The ordinance is modeled after a similar one in Federal Way. Issaquah is the first Eastside community to adopt such an ordinance.

“An offender does not commit domestic violence by accident,” said councilman Josh Schaer.

If an offender is found guilty and sentenced to spend less than the maximum statutory sentence – not less than 30 days in jail – the court imposed conditions would include the attendance of certified domestic violence perpetrator treatment as well as a treatment program that addresses the effects of domestic violence on children.