Budget process and meetings in LFP

LFP City Hall. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Lake Forest Park chose to run their proposed levy lid lift on property taxes early, so they would know what resources they could expect before they prepared their biennial budget. The lid lift failed, keeping them to a 1% annual rise in property taxes. As the rate of inflation has been running above 1% by several percentage points, this means cuts. How deep the cuts will be depends on what happens with the state ballot measures and the King County measure, as many of these have a financial impact both direct and indirect, on the City.

Mayor Dave Hutchinson told department heads to plan for an across the board 10% cut. The Mayor has prepared his budget and the public has already had some opportunities to comment. The process continues. Every meeting time listed has opportunities for public comment.

November 4, Thursday, 6 pm. Public hearing on the Mayor’s proposed budget.

November 15, Monday, 6 pm. Council Budget Committee meets to amend the Mayor’s Budget.

November 18, Thursday, 7:45 pm. Council special meeting.

• adoption of the ordinance setting the 2011 property tax
• council action on the Council Budget Committee recommendations amending the Mayor’s proposed budget
• public comment on budget committee recommendations

December 2, Thursday, 7:45 pm Council special meeting time.

• Public hearing on the City Council’s proposed 2011-2012 biennial budget.

December 9, Thursday, 7:45 pm. Council regular meeting, 

• Final hearing
• Last opportunity for public comment.
• Adoption of the City Council 2011-2012 Budget

The Mayor’s proposed budget is on the City website 

According to Deputy Mayor Dwight Thompson and Budget Committee Chair Don Fiene, those unable to make meetings can write or email the City Council their opinions and suggestions. "Your ideas will be given consideration and made part of the public record."