Richland city officials told the city council Tuesday that they'll hold expenditures for 2010 at 2009 levels -- and do it without cutting any services for residents.
The general fund budget increases by 5.7 percent, from $51.1 million to $54 million, but senior staff members found reductions elsewhere for a net overall budget reduction of 5.4 percent, bringing the 2010 budget down to $239.1 million from 2009's $252.7 million.
Administrative Services Manager Ron Musson said in addition to keeping departmental operating costs flat, the city's budget writers vowed not to increase the city's full-time employee count and to find strategies that will save the city money in the future.
City Manager Cindy Johnson said department managers examined how the city's 507 employees were being used, and realigned some positions to make services more efficient. No details were provided during the meeting.
In 2010, the city will have one employee for every 104.5 residents, compared with one for every 101.6 residents in 2009, and one for every 85.8 residents in 2000.
Other key points about the budget are:
w No increase in property tax collections.
w No decrease in park maintenance funding.
w No increase in water, storm water or ambulance rates.
w A 2 percent increase, or $1.92 per month for the average residential customer is proposed for electricity rates.
w A 5 percent increase, or $1.45 per month, is proposed for waste water rates.
w Rates for garbage collection could increase if the city adopts a curbside recycling program.
The council will have a public hearing on the budget
Nov. 3, and adopt a final budget Dec. 8.
Copies of the budget are available at the Richland Public Library, city hall or online at ci.richland.wa.us.
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Proposed Pasco budget maintains services, jobs
Proposed Pasco budget maintains services, jobs
PASCO -- Pasco residents can expect a similar level of service in 2012 as what they have observed this year.
The city's $36.1 million preliminary operating budget maintains services, and while it doesn't add positions, it does not cut jobs either.
The city council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Pasco City Hall, at 525 N. Third. Ave., to receive a presentation about the 2012 preliminary budget.
Water rates may rise in Richland
Water rates may rise in Richland
Richland residents could be looking at a water rate increase starting in January if the city council approves a plan submitted by the Public Works Department.
The council is set to discuss water rate options at its meeting tonight.
Public Works staff said in a report to the council that a rate increase is necessary to prevent the city water utility's reserves from being depleted.
Richland residents may see electric bills increase by 5 percent
Richland residents may see electric bills increase by 5 percent
Richland residents likely will see their monthly electric bills grow by 5 percent starting in March.
The city council Tuesday gave preliminary approval to an ordinance that would raise user rates for the city's electric utility by 5 percent for residential customers and 10 percent for all other types of accounts.
That amounts to a $5 increase on a $100 residential bill, or a $10 increase on a $100 bill for all other customers.
Mid-Columbia home to many uninsured residents
Mid-Columbia home to many uninsured residents
A new report from the state Insurance Commissioner shows several counties in the Mid-Columbia have the highest rates of uninsured residents in the state.
And that leads to area hospitals losing more and more of their bottom line to charity care and bad debt -- and costs being shifted to people who are insured.
Franklin, Adams, Grant and Yakima counties made up four of the five counties with the highest percentage of uninsured residents in the report released Tuesday by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler's office.
Kennewick cautiously OKs lower property taxes
Kennewick cautiously OKs lower property taxes
Kennewick council members hesitatingly approved Tuesday a slightly lower property tax levy for 2012.
The new rate of $2.11 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which is about a nickel less than this year, includes a
1 percent increase in the amount the city can collect. State law allows the city to add 1 percent to its levy base each year.
But several council members said the 1 percent increase -- about $105,000 -- comes at a bad time for taxpayers.
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