Mayor: City in good shape

Maxwell told the Chamber of Commerce members Thursday the city continues to hold aside 5% in each of it’s funds as emergency reserves. He pointed out that retail tax revenues are down significantly, 8.3% from a year ago.

Property tax revenues are down, too, he said, but stressed that Anacortes continues to have one of the lowest property tax rates in the county. Only Hamilton has a lower rate, “but they don’t provide any services,” he added.

“We will get through these difficult times as we have always done, by facing forward and by working together,” he said. “No matter what the crisis or how difficult the situation our community always finds a way to make the best of it and to move forward.”

Maxwell reviewed the city’s accomplishments of the past year. He said crime is down for the second year in a row. And, the number of building permits dropped from over 700 permits in 2007 to just 497 in 2008.

He also touched briefly on one subject of special interest to the Chamber: the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the Anacortes-to-Sidney, BC ferry, calling the move “an ill-conceived proposal.”

Looking ahead, Maxwell said he expects a new roundabout will be completed early this summer at Commercial Ave and Highway 20. He said Skagit Transit will be adding service in Anacortes, including hourly runs to the ferry terminal. He said the city is working on establishing a community garden between 27th and 29th streets and Q Ave.