Pasco budget talks set to start tonight

By Kristi Pihl, Herald staff writer

PASCO -- The city of Pasco's proposed 2010 operating budget may be 10 percent less than this year's but capital projects and other improvements still have a green light.

Thirty-two projects, including 29 new ones, totaling $12.7 million are included in next year's preliminary budget. The Pasco City Council will have its first budget workshop at 6 p.m. tonight at city hall, 525 N. Third Ave. The regular workshop meeting begins at 7 p.m.

The projects include the Lewis Street overpass, a new soccer facility, improvements to Road 68 and new playground equipment for Lucas Park on 14th Avenue and Lincoln Drive.

The $30 million Lewis Street project will replace the aging underpass with an overpass, said Gary Crutchfield, city manager. The city received a $3 million state grant in April to design the project and purchase the necessary rights of way. The overpass won't be complete for five or six years.

On Road 68, a southbound lane will be extended near the Interstate 182 interchange, and the striping will be redone to create two northbound left turn lanes, said Bob Alberts, city public works director. About $300,000 is budgeted for the project.

The city's soccer facilities are constantly in use so the city wants to build a 10-acre soccer complex with four fields at a site to be determined. About $200,000 is earmarked for this project.

The council also will consider a proposed $30 million operating budget, which Crutchfield said maintains service levels without increasing property taxes or cutting staff.

The city likely will start the year with $6 million in reserve. Crutchfield said he is proposing the city use $700,000 of this to balance the budget.

The reserve is meant to be a rainy day fund, and "2010 is a rainy day," he said.

The majority of the city's revenue comes from property, utility and sales taxes. By the end of the year, the city's sales tax revenue is expected to drop 16 percent compared with 2008 sales tax revenues, Crutchfield said.

Three vacant city positions will be left empty but the city will add 1.5 new positions.

In the past eight years, Pasco has tried to decrease the city's share of property taxes, Crutchfield said. The city has declined the 1 percent property tax increase permitted by state law in the past to keep the rates low.

In 2002, property taxes for the city were $3.06 per $1,000, or $306 a year for a $100,000 home. In 2010, the city's share likely will be $1.99 per $1,000, or $199 a year for a $100,000 home.

Still, the city will receive $125,000 more in property taxes because of the $58 million in new construction this year, Crutchfield said.

The council is expected to take its final vote on the budget at its regular meeting 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at city hall.

tool name

Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

Pasco budget talks set to start tonight

By Kristi Pihl, Herald staff writer