Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, October 3, 2008 Edmonds budget crunch could mean taxes, cuts By Chris Fyall For The Herald EDMONDS -- Mayor Gary Haakenson proposes raising some taxes and keeping current city job openings vacant in his 2009-10 budget. But the budget released Tuesday does not call for any job cuts. To meet what was an expected $5.4 million shortfall, Haakenson would raise utility taxes and cable television taxes, which together would cost the average Edmonds taxpayer $86 a year, Haakenson said. The budget also calls for raising property taxes 1 percent. "We simply can't continue to offer the services that we have historically offered to our citizens without new revenues," he said in his budget address. "Over the past seven or eight years, we have been creative -- and lucky -- with our revenue streams, allowing us to reach 2008 in sound financial shape. "But now, the tough calls have to be made," Haakenson said. Haakenson also raised questions about the future of the Edmonds Fire Department. Long-term, the city's financial health requires Edmonds to join a regional fire authority instead of running its own fire department, Haakenson said. Such a move would save the city $4 million a year, he said. Regardless of the fire department's fate, the city's budget demands drastic action, Haakenson said. For years, as labor costs have risen, the city's margin for error has shrunk, he said. Now, rising costs and the city's inability to raise taxes at the same pace have put Edmonds in a position where it must act, Haakenson said. The cost of salaries and benefits for city employees are expected to rise 37.9 percent from 2002 to the end of 2008. During that time, the city has added only one full-time employee, said Debi Humann, the city's human resources director. In the same time frame, property-tax collections have grown only 26.6 percent. While Haakenson framed the budget discussion as a choice between increased revenues and decreased services, some council members called for the city to expand its services. Councilman Dave Orvis, the council's representative to the Snohomish District, said Edmonds should spend $150,000 fully funding public health. "The bottom line is, I'm not interested in reducing public safety in any way, and that includes public health," Orvis said. "I would prefer to raise revenues than to cut in those areas." Whatever the final solutions, the budget clearly deserves a lot of attention, City Council President Michael Plunkett said. "We have to be open to looking at everything," he said. "I am staying open, loose and flexible." Others agreed. The council is scheduled to meet for a public workshop on the budget next Tuesday. Its first public hearing on the budget is Oct. 21. Officials have until later this year to approve it. "I genuinely appreciate time to review this in these belt- tightening times," Councilman Steve Bernheim said. Reporter Chris Fyall: 425-673-6525 or cfyall@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Some stores, malls to get a jump on ‘Black Friday' 2. $6.5 million lottery ticket purchased in Lake Stevens 3. Fire displaces Arlington family 4. Everett man will take his do-it-yourself ethic to the grave 5. Inmates with mental illness bring extra costs to Monroe prison 6. When the customer is wrong and a jerk 7. Mayor-elect won over Granite Falls 8. Economy may silence Everett Symphony's season 9. Soldier who had lived in Marysville killed in Afghanistan 10. Ongoing road work near schools worries parents 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Eat local this Thanksgiving • Mavericks moving on • Canada's Great Big Sea rolls into Edmonds • A. Murphy finishes 2nd in volleyball • Art Walk features music, demonstrations • EAT LOCAL: Getting the goods • Lynnwood HS history teacher Vic Bennet dies • Wildcats head to semis • CSO Chamber annual show slated Nov. 23 • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million