Date: January 1, 2009
Community and Government Affairs
City of Lake Forest Park
Phone: 206-368-5440
News Release
City Council Adopts Biennial Budget
On December 11 the City passed a balanced budget for the next two years. The City Budget is committed to continuing to provide excellent municipal services through cutting costs and raising revenue. The final budget eliminated a vacant Police position and reduced the hours for the passport clerks. Additional savings were made by reducing the reserves, increasing the cost of health benefits for non-represented employees and tightening in many other areas.
Revenue enhancements were added to the budget including the establishment of a Transportation Benefit District. The Transportation Benefit Board, which is made up of the City Councilmembers, authorized a $20 annual license fee for each vehicle. The revenue generated by this fee will be used exclusively for the preservation and maintenance of our transportation infrastructure. To delay maintenance costs more in the long run so these funds will insure that the city roads do not deteriorate, pot holes are filled and the City maintains its annual road overlay schedule.
The Council passed a 15% increase in the surface water fees for 2009. The increase covers the additional work on the comprehensive surface water management plan and unfunded federal mandates on stormwater pollution prevention.
The City Council decided not to ask voters to raise the property tax levy lid in 2009. Instead, the City will be establishing a task force to review all options for balancing the future City budgets, with recommendations to be made by July 2009. The City Council also passed a 1% increase in property tax revenue. The assessed value of property in Lake Forest Park increased 12% last year.l
The City will be installing photo traffic cameras in school zones and on 165th and Bothell Way. The red light cameras will photograph cars that run red lights and the owner of the car will receive a letter with notification of an infraction and a fine.
During the next two years the City will face a number of ongoing challenges presented by the current economic conditions. The City is committed to monitoring the changing fiscal environment and responding accordingly. It is the intent of the City to preserve and maintain a sustainable budget.
