SNOHOMISH — The City Council plans to discuss property tax increases to help the city ease a $1 million deficit.
The money would be used to keep the Snohomish Police Department running and make sure four of the city’s major parks stay open.
“This is the most difficult city budget I have had in the nine years as city manager,” City Manager Larry Bauman said.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the George Gilbertson Boardroom, 1601 Ave. D. People will have a chance to speak about the proposed increase, following a presentation.
The discussion centers on adding $119.25 to the average annual property tax bill.
The City Council is considering whether to keep its police department, or save money by contracting for public safety services with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
Of the proposed tax increase, $82.92 would go to keep the police department budget, and $36.33 to the parks.
The city asked residents to weigh in through a survey mailed to homes last month. Residents were asked whether they opposed any tax increase, just the amount for police, just the amount for parks, or both.
About 600 responses had been received by Monday, with those opposing both tax increases having a slight lead. The council is not expected to hear the final survey results until their July 5 meeting, Bauman said.
At Tuesday night’s meeting there also will be a presentation about possibly using revenues from the real estate excise tax to help save two positions at the public works department.
The tax is paid when somebody sells property within the city. The city has $305,895 in that account, which usually is used for capital projects. The two positions, one in parks and the other in street maintenance, cost $155,867 per year.
The drawback of using the money is that the amount collected depends heavily on the economy. It is unknown if it could pay for these positions every year, Bauman said.
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.
Meeting Tuesday night
The Snohomish City Council plans to discuss property tax increases at tonight’s meeting.
It is scheduled at 6 p.m., at the George Gilbertson Boardroom, 1601 Ave. D.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
