In his budget message, Mayor Maxwell said," I am pleased to submit another balanced preliminary budget for review, comment, and action that does not rely on general fund reserves and provides a high level of service for our community."
He notes that after five years of decreasing revenues requiring continuing budget austerity, revenues are increasing this year. "Comparing January through June 2013 receipts, City sales tax revenues increased 16% over 2012 levels; this increase was led by residential construction." Forecasts project revenues to maintain, or increase slightly over the next year, which is reflected in the proposed budget, he said.
The fire department budget includes $300,000 to complete public safety communication systems throughout Skagit County. The information services budget includes $50,000 to address the loss of technical support by Microsoft for the Windows XP operating system in April; $20,000 is allocated to upgrade many City computers to Windows 7, and $30,000 is allocated to purchase a cash receipting module for the general ledger that currently runs on Windows XP and will not function on Windows 7.
The budget includes $800,000 for an overlay of the Q Avenue street corridor; $221,000 to continue the Safe Routes to School grant project, and $837,500 for the Guemes Channel Trail. Also, $33,500 is included for planning multiple street projects, $100,000 for additional City sidewalks and accessible ramps, and $25,000 to extend sidewalks on Glasgow Way.
An allocation of $395,000 is budgeted to prepare for the update to the Comprehensive Plan update required in 2016.
There are capital budget increases in the solid waste fund, as the City transitions to an automated waste pickup system; $375,000 is budgeted for new cans that will be provided to utility customers and $750,000 will purchase and replace two sanitation trucks. The new and automated solid waste system will save the City over $1-million in capital and operational costs over the next 10 years and will be safer for our employees and help avoid back injuries.
Maxwell's budget message points out that Anacortes remains the lowest taxing City in Skagit County with a 2013 general millage of $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed value. Property tax revenues largely fund operations of the city's general government departments, police, fire, ambulance service, museum, human resources, parks and recreation, legal, courts, library, and street maintenance; essentially all departments except utilities.
The City Council will contine its departmeyt-by-department review at future meetings.