Everett mayor reveals proposed city budget

Published 10:49 am Wednesday, October 29, 2008

EVERETT – The city would add two new police officers, open a new animal shelter to serve much of Snohomish County and continue to work with a developer on the Riverfront project under a proposed 2009 budget unveiled Wednesday.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson said in a statement that his budget identifies needed capital investments and adds only minimal operational increases to keep the city safe and improve the city’s quality of life.

“Like nearly every city in the nation, we too are affected by the challenges of a struggling economy,” Stephanson said in the statement. “This budget is a direct reflection of the conservative approach to financial management that we began in 2004 and continue to this day.

The proposed budget is $505.7 million, which includes $118.5 million for general government operations.

Stephanson also said the city has retired the last of its voter-approved senior housing debt and has made final payments on the Everett Performing Arts Center, Fire Station 7 near Silver Lake, and the Main Library expansion.

The City Council is scheduled to hold public hearings on the proposed budget at 8:30 a.m. next Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. Nov. 10 at the City Council Chambers, 3002 Wetmore Ave.