By Kate Reardon
Herald Writer
LAKE STEVENS — At a time when economic downturns are the spoilsport for most city budgets, Lake Stevens officials say their past conservative approaches have put them in pretty good shape for 2002.
The public will have the first chance to comment on the proposed budget Monday at a city council public hearing beginning at 7 p.m. in the community center, 1808 Main St. A second hearing is set for Nov. 19.
The proposed budget includes a $2.2 million operating budget. It also includes money for a new police officer and additional work hours for a code enforcement officer and police department clerical work. The proposal also includes a new full-time position in public works for a clerk to help with the permitting process.
The budget for this year is $1.9 million
"What we’ve done in the last few years is very conservative," said city administrator Dave O’Leary. "We’ve held expenditures down so much before."
City officials are also proposing a 2 percent increase over last year’s property tax levy, an estimated 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. That would mean a city property tax increase of $10 for a $200,000 home, said Jan Berg, finance director.
There’s also money in the budget for street and sewer system improvements, O’Leary said.
"We may be the only city that’s not crying poverty," O’Leary said. "We’re in fairly decent shape. I can’t say that’s going to last forever, but we’re in better shape than most."
Mayor Lynn Walty said he’s comfortable with the budget, even in a time of a recession and economic downturn.
"We will be watching continually as we do, to see if income projections (change)," he said. "We do have enough cash reserves that if we need to we can go into that, but that’s not our plan."
Walty said the city must also be prepared to deal with the unknown, such as the outcome and possible effects of Initiative 747 on the Nov. 6 ballot. The city would lose $10,000 if I-747 passes, O’Leary said.
The city council has until the end of the year to adopt a budget.
You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455
or send e-mail to reardon@heraldnet.com.
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