Date: February 1, 2009
Community and Government Affairs
City of Lake Forest Park
Phone: 206-368-5440
News Release
2009–2010 Budget Update
The City Council passed a balanced budget in mid–December that works to maintain outstanding service within fiscal constraints. The city eliminated two staff positions, increased the cost of health care for employees and made other cuts to programs and services. In addition, the Council established a Transportation Benefit district and set up a $20 vehicle tab fee to maintain city roads.
Since the 2009–2010 budget was adopted, the city received additional financial information which has lowered our revenue expectations. The revenue from the $20 vehicle tab fee to maintain city streets is projected to be six months later than originally anticipated. In addition, the state revised downward the anticipated revenue from the streamlined sales tax. This in combination with the continuing decline in sales tax, real estate excise tax, gasoline tax, and state transfer funds all create an increasingly unsustainable financial picture
The City is now in the process of reducing expenditures by another $300-370,000 from the 2009 budget. The challenge is to continually monitor the budget and respond to the changing financial picture and still provide police and court services, clean streets and maintain our parks and sewer infrastructure, assist those in need and reach out to people. The budget impact should not erode the support for the community assets that shape the City’s identity and make it a unique and special place. 2009 will be very challenging; it will be a very different year from those in the recent past.
The Council budget committee is meeting and will be working with the administration to identify ways to maintain a balanced city budget. The City Council has established a task force on property tax levy review. The councilmembers have appointed members consisting of three councilmembers, the Mayor, and eight public members. This task force is charged with identifying options available and making recommendations to the council as a whole that insure a long term sustainable financial picture for the City.
