He told the Chamber of Commerce that the city has had to face reduced revenues. "In July 2012, the state started to withhold Liquor Excise Tax revenues that have historically and rightfully been passed onto local governments to help provide public safety. In 2011 this revenue stream for the city of Anacortes was nearly $80,000, now the State Legislature has claimed it as part of their budget," he said.
State of the City full text (pdf)
Maxwell said revenues last year were somewhat of a mixed bag. Sales tax, the largest General fund revenue stream, decreased 3.1% compared to the previous year. But, the City had anticipated the decrease and budgeted accordingly. At year end, actual sales tax receipts were 1% higher than what was budgeted, bringing in $42,774.
Maxwell mentioned the $60-million water treatment plant expansion, under contraction on the Skagit River several times. Construction, which began in January 2011, is expected to be completed by this spring.
When construction is finished, the plant will have a capacity of 42-million gallons per day (MGD) with the potential to produce 55 MGD by adding additional pumps. The current plant was permitted for 20 MGD, and several times in the past few years has produced 30 MGD.
Maxwell said, "The City’s commitment to developing and maintaining a robust infrastructure allows us to retain and attract quality businesses and families who will collectively shape the future of our community for generations to come."