$500,000 in sidewalk funding approved in 2012 City budget

From the Office of the Shoreline City Manager

On November 28 the City Council unanimously adopted the City’s 2012 budget. The 2012 budget is balanced and totals $55.2 million and allocates resources to provide basic City services to the Shoreline community and address priority needs. The 2012 budget includes $500,000 in one-time funding for installation of sidewalks along 15th Avenue NE from 160th to 165th, one of the City’s 114 identified priority sidewalk projects totaling an estimated $115 million.

The budget also includes funding for a community garden, Shoreline Farmer’s Market, community events to further the Council’s Healthy City initiative and additional resources to support the City’s economic development efforts. The 2012 budget also provides funding to enhance animal control services by transitioning this function from a contracted service to one provided by the City.

“The City has a responsibility to invest taxes paid by Shoreline residents and businesses in services and improvements that reflect their priorities. I am very proud that the 2012 City budget does this,” said Mayor Keith McGlashan.

The passage of Proposition 1 in 2010, provides for annual inflationary increases in the City’s property tax levy. Although this is the case, the City Council adopted a 2.7% levy increase for 2012, lower than the inflationary allowance approved by voters of 3.15%. A homeowner of a home valued at $320,000 can anticipate that the property taxes they pay to the City will increase by $13 from 2011 to 2012.

Although the 2012 budget was balanced as proposed, the City anticipates that the State budget process will result in a 2012 reduction in State revenues to cities. The Governor’s proposed budget reduces Shoreline’s projected 2012 revenues by $130,000. It is anticipated that there will be another $130,000 reduction in 2013. Anticipating these reductions the City Council reduced the proposed 2012 cost of living adjustment (COLA) from 2.04% to 1% for City employees. This is the first COLA given to employees since 2009. The reduction reduces the 2012 proposed budget by $118,000, nearly equal to the anticipated reduction in State revenues for 2012.

In planning ahead, the City will be developing a 10-year financial sustainability plan, which will address long-term efficiency measures, identify potential revenue through economic development initiatives, and best practices for controlling costs. In addition, the City Council will focus on identifying long-term sustainable funding for constructing more sidewalks throughout the City.

For more information about Shoreline’s budget visit the City’s website or contact Assistant City Manager Debbie Tarry at 801-2212.