SNOHOMISH — The Snohomish City Council had its hands and agenda full Tuesday night, approving the city’s 2004 operating budget and utility rates in addition to making several key zoning decisions.
Also, newly elected Councilwoman Lya Badgely was sworn in.
The City Council approved next year’s $6.9 million budget by a 6-1 vote, with Councilwoman Susan Palmer opposing the motion.
"To a large extent, this is a status quo budget. We are trying to keep our costs minimized to stay within our means," city manager Larry Bauman said Wednesday.
One of the city’s clerks will be laid off as part of the new budget. The money for that position will go toward hiring a new assistant planner.
The layoff is part of an effort to make staffing adjustments "to balance out where we can make improvements in customer service without depleting our workforce to a point where we’re ineffective," Bauman said.
The largest part of the city’s expenditures, Bauman said, is wages and benefits. The city’s medical and insurance benefits costs have increased at a double-digit rate for several years, Bauman said.
Tuesday night, the council also voted 5-2 to approve a raise in utility rates for 2004 and changes in the rate structure.
Palmer voted against the rate increase, as did Councilman Shawn Osborne.
The raise in utility rates is based on the city’s need to meet a variety of cost increases, from health care for its employees to the need for infrastructure improvements, Bauman said.
The rate increases are based on use.
For the average user in Snohomish — a single-family residence using the base amount of water and with a single can for solid waste pickup — the increase would be about 1.7 percent. That would increase the average bill to about $68.85, from $67.70.
The increase will be more for high-end utility users such as businesses.
The city is also making other changes to its rate structure. The new water, sewer, solid waste and recycling rates will take effect Feb. 1.
Also Tuesday, the council:
Denied the rezoning of four lots near Snohomish High School to public zones from single-family zones. The Snohomish School District had hoped to use the lots for future development of the high school.
Denied a request to rezone property at and around the southwest corner of Ninth Street and Ford Avenue as medium-density residential rather than single family.
Denied three proposals to change some lots on Second Street from medium-density residential to historic business.
Passed a proposal to rezone about 10 acres of land between Bickford Avenue and Highway 9 south of 20th Street. to business park zoning from medium-density residential because that area is being considered for future commercial development.
Reporter Jennifer Warnick: 425-339-3429 or jwarnick@heraldnet.com.
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