By Dennis Box

The Courier-Herald

It's budget time again, but this year will apparently be much different than the last.

Last year's $70 million budget battle between Mayor Bob Young and the Bonney Lake City Council ended after midnight Dec. 15 following a five-hour marathon meeting.

Council members complained about missing numbers, incorrect balances and unfilled positions and equipment.

The motion to pass the budget initially failed 4-3, but eventually passed 4-3.

Neil Johnson will take over the mayor's job Jan. 1 and the change in administration has radically altered the budget talks.

This year, council members asked Finance Director John Weidenfeller to bring the $70 million budget forward from this year and they will pass it.

The plan is for the new administration to dive into the budget after New Year's Day and come up with another set of numbers.

&#8220We're putting together a plan to provide better service,” Johnson said. &#8220I anticipate the process will be different. I'm asking the department heads to look at their budgets and make a three-year forecast. We'll put it all together and review it with the council.”

Johnson said he has already had preliminary meetings with department heads to get the ball rolling.

Deputy Mayor Dan Swatman said he expects Johnson's administration to be easier to work with concerning the budget.

&#8220The old administration could say we don't have the money and it was easy to make things look different than they actually are,” Swatman said. &#8220In January we start over and we let Neil ferret through and figure it out.”

The transition between the two administrations appears to be settling in, according to Johnson.

The new administration's point man, Administrative Services Coordinator Don Morrison, was recently suspended by Young for three days over a dispute concerning an e-mail Morrison sent to an applicant for a city job, warning her to be cautious taking a position in the Young administration.

Johnson said he is using Morrison on his transition team.

&#8220Don is coming off suspension so I think things are settling down,” Johnson said. &#8220I'm using Don right now to look at city services. His background is a big help.”

Johnson said he is meeting with state and county political leaders.

&#8220It's important to meet with all elected officials,” Johnson said. &#8220I would really like to have better relations with the county.”

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com.