Sneak Peek: City Business This Week

Budget, Budget, Budget

The budget is seeing a lot of action this week. As the year winds down, City Council and staff are working hard to patch the budget back together. Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 6th, the budget will be front and center for the Council in their noon study session, and the proposed 2012 budget reductions for the General Fund will be the subject of public hearing following the evening City Council meeting.

Also on Tuesday, City Council will hear first readings of four ordinances designed to help chip away at the budget gap. All four amendments to the municipal code, if passed, would target revenue side changes:

• Ordinance 28043 – increases in annual business license fees
• Ordinance 28044 – removal of the tax exemption provided to non-profit events on admissions revenues
• Ordinance 28045 – increase of the false alarm service fee for emergency services
• Ordinance 28046 – increase of the penalty for automated traffic safety camera tickets

Final Readings

Most notable among this week’s final readings of ordinances is the adoption of the Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Program is scheduled for Tuesday night. There are a few other items, including the addition of a “leave without pay” section to the employee compensation plan, a telecom franchise for Sprint, freight rate changes for Tacoma Rail, and minor biennial budget modifications.

Also This Week

Large Scale Retail Uses Public Hearing – Wednesday, December 7th, 5:00 p.m. Look for more details later today.

City Manager Finalists

The field is narrowing. Finalists will be in town this week, with an opportunity for the public to meet them this Wednesday, December 8th at the Convention Center. The public forum and reception is your chance to ask the finalists questions, or just to see them in action and form your own opinion.

Moderated public forum: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Reception: 6:00 to 7:30
More information: Previously on Exit133