I attended the Everett City Council meeting on March 31, to listen to Mayor Ray Stephanson announce his budget plan for 2004. While I will agree that some expenses had to be reduced, I do not believe the laying off of 17 city employees was necessary at this time.
City Councilman Mark Olson called the layoffs “unfathomable” in light of the city’s $24 million surplus. I agree whole-heartedly. The reserve fund has been built up to a record high level for this very situation, to carry the city through economic downturns. The economy is starting to improve, which in turn should increase the city’s revenues. The mayor seems to want input and ideas from the City Council members, but then he chooses to ignore them. As City Council President Arlan Hatloe said, “The mayor expanded his administrative staff at higher wages and got rid of folks who have been here for five to 10 years.” That’s what the city of Everett really needs now … more administrators and fewer service employees. Thanks so much, Mayor Stephanson.
Everett
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