Budget Workshop and Public Hearing

UPDATE: Budget Workshop and public hearing tomorrow: The Council will not take public comment at the noon study session, but it is open to the public. There will be a public hearing at the end of the regular 5:00 p.m. City Council meeting tomorrow.

Have you seen the latest Tacomic?

RR Anderson is making his voice heard loud and clear regarding his priorities when it comes to impending City of Tacoma budget cuts.

In order to address the $31,000 deficit, we’ll be seeing across the board reductions for all services funded by the General Fund, meaning across the board reductions in services, and staff. The updated budget direction currently being discussed to yield what are being called “strategic” reductions in services and service levels include:

• Staff and compensation reductions
• Financial reductions to external organizations
• Addressing cost drivers
• Making budget changes in 2011-12 that carry forward into 2013-14
• Preserving Council Contingency
• Evaluation of possibilities for revenue enhancement
• Avoiding use of reserves to balance the budget
• Avoiding new initiatives

And if you’re curious about the “possibilities for revenue enhancement” that have been discussed, so far they include:

• elimination or reduction of non-profit healthcare B&O deductions
• increased speed and red light camera violation fines
• increased annual business license fees
• a $20 city car tab fee
• a 0.1% sales tax increase designated to fund human and youth services
• elimination of the non-profit ticket admissions tax deductions
• establishment of a half-price business fee for businesses grossing under $10,000
• increased false-alarm fee for emergency service calls

In terms of staff lay-offs, The News Tribune reported recently on the details of the forecast layoffs – 165 projected at last count, including significant cuts to fire and police. These aren’t set in stone, and recent Council conversation suggests that we may see phased implementation of budget adjustments.

The next budget workshop to address the predicted $31 million General Fund budget gap is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, December 6th at noon. The next opportunity for public input will be the public hearing scheduled for tomorrow evening, at the end of the 5:00 p.m. City Council meeting. Both in the City Council Chambers on the first floor of the Municipal Building (747 Market Street). Or submit your thoughts in writing by 4:00 p.m. tomorrow. Visit www.cityoftacoma.org for details.

RR has made his voice clear (be sure you take time to visit Feed Tacoma to read his eloquent explanation of his position). If there’s something in the budget you care about, make sure you speak up now. Or draw us a picture, and we’ll post it here.