By Kevin Hanson-The Courier-Herald
The complex process of crafting an annual operating budget is winding its way through Enumclaw City Hall, but the public will have several opportunities to weigh in on planned spending.
Mayor John Wise has released his preliminary budget for 2008, a 200-page document that covers everything from city accomplishments during 2007 to the smallest spending plan for the year to come. Included is a projected spending plan for every city department.
Included in the ‘08 budget is a 1 percent increase in the municipal property tax levy, the maximum allowed by law. The city has scheduled three public hearings on the levy, the first coming at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Following meetings are planned for Nov. 13 and Nov. 26, also at 7:30 p.m. All sessions are at City Hall, 1339 Griffin Ave.
The total city budget for 2008 is estimated at slightly less than $79.5 million, or about $13.3 million more that in 2007. The primary reason for the increase is expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. Total expenses for the project are calculated at about $11.2 million for the coming year. At about $26 million, the plant expansion is the largest project in city history.
The general fund budget, which covers most of the city's day-to-day operations, is pegged at $10.7 million. Operating expenditures will increase about $423,000, primarily due to payroll and employee benefit costs. The budget includes a 3.5 percent cost-of-living increase for employees and assumes a 14.8 percent increase in healthcare costs.
“Overall, the city is in good financial shape going into 2008,” Wise wrote in his budget message.
To keep things running, however, city residents are in for another significant hike in the wastewater utility rate. With the coming of 2008, the city will impose a 27 percent increase in sewer fees (as part of a series of increases previously adopted). Also, garbage rates are likely to increase by 2 percent. That is offset somewhat by a planned 15 percent decrease in natural gas rates as the city responds to declining prices on the open market.
On the agenda for 2008 are a series of capital projects, including improvements to the Enumclaw Expo Center, the Boise Creek complex, Garrett Park, the golf course and the swimming pool. The city also plans for construction of the long-planned Welcome Center, has identified road improvements for the Porter Street/McHugh Avenue vicinity, and will begin the process of creating a stormwater utility. Creation of the new utility will allow the city to meet state demands but will add another monthly fee for city ratepayers; collection of the fee is not projected to begin during the coming year.
The 2008 budget also calls for adding to city staff. Identified are a new position in the Finance Department, another street worker, and additional corrections officer and a coordinator in the Planning Department.
The latter position is needed “as we start to move toward a more normal development pattern,” City Administrator Mark Bauer said. The city is positioning itself for anticipated growth once the wastewater treatment plant improvements are completed.
Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@courierherald.com.
