EVERETT – The City Council is expected to approve the 2005 budget Wednesday.
This time last year, the council was taking a similar vote. But council members then knew the 2004 budget might be only temporary. Mayor Ray Stephanson was elected in November 2003 promising to cut $3.5 million from the 2004 budget.
In March, the mayor laid off 24 employees and cut parks, library and other services to balance the budget without dipping into the budget surplus.
The $359 million budget for 2005 includes no cuts in jobs or services. The operating budget, which funds most day-to-day services, is $96 million.
Next year, Everett will have a surplus of $26 million, but a city policy passed in August bars dipping into those savings to pay for day-to-day operating expenses.
Stephanson and council members said that policy ensures the city has enough money to pay for important construction projects and tide the city through hard economic times.
The budget includes $1.6 million for city streets projects, including new asphalt, sidewalk replacements and parking improvements.
The council Wednesday will also vote on an amendment to the 2004 budget that will increase expenditures from $348 million to $351 million. Such budget amendments are routine each year.
Much of that increase is to pay for increased health-care costs and for unanticipated purchases, said Chief Financial Officer Debra Bryant.
For example, the city had planned to lease two fire engines but decided instead it would be cheaper in the long run to buy them for $606,000, she said.
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.
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