Everett OKs $359 million 2005 budget

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, December 8, 2004

EVERETT – The City Council on Wednesday approved a $359 million budget for 2005.

The vote was unanimous. Even Councilman Ron Gipson voted yes.

Gipson said in September that he wanted to reverse $3.5 million in cuts Mayor Ray Stephanson made to the 2004 budget. Stephanson in March laid off 24 employees and cut parks, library and other services.

Gipson, the council’s budget committee chairman, wanted money for those salaries and services taken out of the $26 million surplus and included in the $96 million 2005 operating budget, which funds most day-to-day services.

The only position reinstated in the 2005 budget was a code enforcement officer, who enforces laws on junk cars, unsightly yards and other problems.

Gipson, who is running against Stephanson in the November 2005 elections, said he still believes the March cuts were unnecessary when the city has such a large surplus.

He said he voted for the budget increase “because people have to get paid, and I don’t want to be the one who says no. We worked on the 2005 budget, but then we go from there.”

The budget includes no cuts in jobs or services.

Gipson was the sole council member Wednesday to vote against several amendments to the 2004 budget. The council increased expenditures for 2004 to $351 million from $348 million, in part to pay for increased health care costs and for unanticipated purchases.

Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.