Maxwell said sales tax and building permit revenues have increased over last year's levels, "revenues overall continue to be well below historical norms." He said this has made budgeting more challenging than in the past.
While the Mayor said he's proposing a budget that's 3.6 percent higher than the current one, he pointed out that there are two special capital projects there: dredging or the Skyline Marina, which will be paid for by boat slip owners; and replacement of a heat exchanger and aeration blower at the wastewater treatment plant in town. He said if you take those out of the new budget, the increase from 2010 to 2011 amounts to .85 percent.
Maxwell pointed out that the city will undertake the largest public works project in its history, the $60-million plus upgrade of the city's water treatment plant on the Skagit River. Construction is set to begin next February, with completion planned for 2013. That project is paid for by water users, not taxpayers.
Maxwell said, "Our success and our strengths to date are reflective of our ongoing commitment to quality infrastructure and our diverse community and business makeup." He called the budget "fiscally conservative" while trying to continue to maintain the level of service the public expects.
Resources