Everett has plans for windfall

EVERETT – Police, fire and animal control operations stand to gain muscle under a proposal that would see the city’s budget swell by $34 million.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson on Wednesday unveiled his 2007 operating budget, which opens a round of negotiations to follow in the coming weeks.

Stephanson explained that the proposed spending plan follows a windfall in sales and business tax revenue that the city expects to collect this year.

“The city is now in a position of financial strength,” Stephanson told the City Council. Two years ago, budget cuts slashed funding to parks and libraries, and eliminated 24 jobs.

The City Council is scheduled to discuss the budget at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the City Council Chambers, 3002 Wetmore in Everett. The public will also have an opportunity to weigh in.

Copies of the proposed 2007 budget can be reviewed at the City Clerk’s office, 2930 Wetmore Ave. Suite 1-A, during regular business hours. The proposal can also be reviewed online at the city’s Web site.

Wednesday’s budget proposal calls for increasing public safety spending to $68 million – a 12 percent increase from 2006.

In preparation for the new budget, Stephanson departed from the normal process.

Usually, the process starts with the heads of each city department submitting a wish list to the mayor. This time, Stephanson gave Police Chief Jim Scharf a homework assignment.

He asked Scharf to develop an action plan using crime statistics, city growth patterns and community concerns about crime.

The report will likely open the door for more funding to the department, Stephanson said.

The idea of sending Scharf back to the drawing board stemmed from conversations with residents and business owners worried about traffic offenses, property crimes and an increase in identity theft, Stephanson said.

The study would allow the city to “serve our residents more effectively,” he said.

Additionally, Stephanson’s budget asks for an information technology employee to help the police and fire departments streamline their operations.

The animal shelter, which has seen a 46 percent spike in activity in the past decade, would gain six additional full-time employees under Stephanson’s plan.

The plan also calls for significant infrastructure investments, including money for the water supply system and $1.6 million for the street asphalt overlay program.

Stephanson gave an upbeat message on progress, with a proposed $22 million downtown arts community and a proposed 200-acre redevelopment project on the Snohomish River.

“We are clearly in the midst of great change,” Stephanson said. “From riverfront to waterfront and Silver Lake to Smith Island, Everett is coming into its own.”

Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.

Budget facts

Total budget: $436 million

Total general fund budget: $107 million

Number of city employees: 1,139

Here is a sample of the city’s proposed expenses

Public works: $93.1 million

Police department: $23 million

Fire department: $16.6 million

Parks and recreation: $8.5 million

Engineering and public services: $5.4 million

Library: $4.6 million