EVERETT — The Everett City Council adopted a $357.6 million budget for 2015 at its meeting Wednesday.
The new budget is slightly bigger than the $346 million 2014 budget. The increase largely stems from efforts to resolve long-term structural deficits.
While the budget is balanced for 2015, the city is anticipating a $10.9 million deficit by 2018 unless the council enacts further cuts or revenue increases.
That projected deficit is about half of the original forecast, before the council increased and enacted new utility taxes, established a $20 car-license fee for transportation projects and cut 16 full-time positions.
The city is reviewing fire, police and transit budgets to find more savings.
At summer and fall City Council meetings, members of the public spoke against some of the new taxes and fees, and some council members expressed dissatisfaction with how the deficit reduction plan was assembled by Mayor Ray Stephanson’s office and city staff members.
The 2015 budget passed the council unanimously Wednesday, without public comment.
Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.
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