LAKE STEVENS – The City Council on Monday adopted its $6.9 million budget for 2006, which includes money to hire a city administrator to assist Mayor Lynn Walty.
Although the money was set aside, the position won’t be filled until after a City Council retreat Jan. 13 and 14.
“This is something we’ve been talking about for a while,” Walty said. “We as a team need to define (the administrator’s duties) and set the timing.”
Walty is paid $14,400 per year as a part-time mayor, but works much more than part-time.
“I’m absolutely a full-time employee, at not even half-time pay. It has no tie to the hours,” he said.
With major annexations, downtown redevelopment and development of a commercial-industrial area in the works, Walty needs more help, city officials said.
The budget also includes $195,000 to buy and develop a new park; money to hire a police officer, purchase a new patrol car and a code enforcement van; increase the code enforcement officer’s hours from 32 to 40 per week; change the senior planner position to a planning director; and add another planner.
Other new expenditures include purchase of equipment to take passport photos and enrolling Walty in the state retirement system.
The city’s 2005 budget was $7.2 million. The new budget includes significantly lower sewer revenues and expenditures because the city has turned over those services to the Lake Stevens Sewer District.
Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.
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