WEST RICHLAND -- The West Richland City Council approved a 2010 budget Monday night based on a property tax levy of $1.62 per $1,000 assessed property value.
That would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $162 for the year.
Two council members, Ken Dobbin and Merle Johnson, voted against adopting the budget proposed by city staff.
"We have not tightened our belt," Dobbin said.
If the city keeps spending down fund balances, it is headed toward a deficit, he said.
Johnson also was concerned, saying he believed that the budget would not be balanced as it's amended over the year and spending increases. It's the third year in a row he's voted against the budget.
"We're kind of on a sinking ship," said Mark Hanneman, who will be leaving office next year after losing the November election.
He voted for the budget, but predicted that an increase in the levy will be needed in the next two years, because levy increases limited to 1 percent a year cannot keep up with inflation.
"My perspective is that taxpayers have been getting a pretty good deal," he said.
The maximum property tax increase allowed under law for the city without a vote for 2010 was 100.8 percent of the prior year's levy.
Mayor pro-tem Rich Buel said the budget had been balanced with no loss in services and no employee losing a job.
No cost of living adjustment to employee wages was included in the budget.
Some council members favored increasing city money contributed to the West Richland Chamber of Commerce and the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau. Although staff had planned to include that in the proposed budget presented Monday night, the money instead was needed for a greater than expected increase in insurance rates.
The budget included changed water rates. The base rate was rolled back to 2008 rates from $34.50 for the first 3,000 gallons of water per month based on meters up to an inch to $34 to encourage conservation. Rates for additional water were increased.
-- Annette Cary: 509-582-1533; acary@tricityherald.com
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