Sultan holds the line on spending

By Leslie Moriarty

Herald Writer

SULTAN — Following cuts to the 2001 budget earlier this fall, next year’s spending plan is a "hold the line" budget, according to Sultan city clerk Laura Koenig.

The city council plans to finalize the 2002 budget on Wednesday.

"All of the departments have done their part by holding down costs for 2002," Koenig said. "We’re all aiming at trying to keep everyone on the payroll and not have any layoffs."

It looks as if the 2002 budget will fall somewhere between

$6 and $7 million, she said. Of that, $1.3 million are general fund expenditures, or the costs of day-to-day business for the city and its departments.

Last year’s total budget was $11 million. But Koenig said about $5.4 million of that were capital projects, including street and park projects that have been completed and will no longer be reflected in the 2002 budget.

The general fund for 2002 is about $300,000 less than it was in 2001. But Koenig said the 2002 general fund reflects a carry-over of the cost-cutting measures taken earlier this fall.

Among those was an agreement from the union police officers to not take cost of living adjustments in late 2001 and 2002.

Two police positions also will not be filled in 2002. In both cases, officers have left the department and will not be replaced.

And the building inspector position will be combining duties in 2002. Koenig said because of a slowdown in construction projects in Sultan, the inspector will work two days each week as a building inspector and the other three days will assist in the utilities department.

"That will result in a cost-savings in both departments," she said.

Additionally, there will be no cost of living raises for any non-union city employees in 2002.

Koenig said the entire budget was put together in an attempt to make cuts where they could be made, so that no city employees would have to be laid off.

"So far, we’ve accomplished that," she said. "It’s going to be a lean year."

You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436

or send e-mail to moriarty@heraldnet.com.

There will be a final public hearing on Sultan’s 2002 city budget beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Sultan Community Center, 319 Main St. The council is expected to vote on the budget following the public hearing that evening. Copies of the budget can be viewed at city hall at the Community Center beginning today.

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