Sultan looks at cutting two police officers to save money

By LESLIE MORIARTY

Herald Writer

SULTAN — City council members are looking at cutting two police officers as they prepare the 2001 city budget.

They are planning a 6 percent increase in the city’s property tax levy, the maximum amount allowed by state law.

Police Chief Fred Walser said he is looking for ways to cut his budget that don’t involved eliminating officers so he can save the integrity of his department.

In the budget proposed by city administrator Roy Bysegger, the number of officers would be reduced in 2001 from eight to six. That would save the city about $50,000, along with cuts in police travel and seminars, and equipment maintenance and repairs.

Other cuts in personnel also are planned, including a utility worker, a building inspector and a part-time assistant planner.

The budget will be addressed at 7 p.m. Wednesday (at the Sultan Community Center, 319 Main St., during which public comments will be taken.

A second hearing and final action is expected Dec. 6.

The police budget was scrutinized by Bysegger and Mayor C.H. Rowe after some council members wanted to contract for police services with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office in an effort to save money.

When a majority of the council said no to that idea, the proposed police budget was cut from $1 million to $872,000.

If the council chooses to cut officers, Walser said response times will suffer. The current response time is an average of 1.5 to 2 minutes. He told the council that calls are increasing because of growth and increased traffic on U.S. 2.

Overall, the city budget calls for $1.7 million in general fund expenditures, up from $1.6 million this year.

Bysegger said that because the city doesn’t have much sales tax revenue, it needs to rely on property tax hikes and on an increase of 2 percent in the business and occupation tax. While there are plans for a commercial and industrial park, the economic activity from that will not be realized this year.

The preliminary budget calls for permit fees for new construction to remain on the same growth level as this year.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.