Following the failure of the
property tax levy on May 16, 2006, Council began a process to set
some early, high-level policy for the upcoming biennial budget that
includes a check-in against the Long Range Financial Strategy. On
July 11th, the Council approved a budget policy that
requests the administration to answer the questions raised during
the election, that limits the next budget to only revenues
previously approved by the Council, and which makes public safety
the top priority for spending. Council’s work is set forth in a
document which was approved on a 5-2 vote.
The policy document raises questions the Council heard from the
community about why the tax increase was needed. Among other
things people wanted to
know why new growth didn’t bring in enough revenue to meet our
needs. People also (mistakenly) thought that an increase in their
home’s value meant an increase in property taxes received by the
City. Answers to those questions
are provided on our web. These questions need
to be evaluated before the Council authorizes any future levy
proposal.
The policy document outlines limits on new revenue to development
review fee and utility tax increases adopted in the past six months,
as well an increase in the business head tax that was planned for in
the City’s 6-Year Long Range Financial Strategy. On the spending
side, the policy directs the administration to fully fund police and
fire to ensure that all facilities and apparatus are fully staffed,
reflecting the Council’s top priority of public safety. This
directive may likely require reductions or cuts to current City
programs, which Council will examine when the Mayor delivers the
budget in early fall of this year.
In addition to this direction, Council is evaluating a change in the
budget document towards setting service standards and priorities for
City programs. This is a shift away from the standard budgeting by
departments today. Council is actively pursuing a primer and
feasibility evaluation of a possible model for the change, and this
work will take us beyond the window of the upcoming budget. The new
model is being considered for the 2009-2010 budget process.
In response to the community’s request for greater access to
information, Council directed that our website should provide easy
access to budget and other financial information, with a focus on
questions raised after the May election. A link is provided
here for those questions
and answers. Council has also
formed an ad hoc committee that is working with the administration
to provide a meaningful community forum to receive input on the
upcoming budget. This will be in addition to the two remaining
public hearings on the budget that are currently scheduled for
October 17 and November 14 during our regular Tuesday night Council
meetings.
This upcoming budget is the most crucial matter facing our city
today and we urge you to keep informed and to share your thoughts
and ideas with us.
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Transportation is a major issue for members of the Redmond
City Council as they strive to improve systems for moving people and
goods through and around the City. The problem is primarily caused
by a lack of capacity on I-405 and SR 520, and compounded by the
increased growth to the east of Redmond and more miles being driven
by all of us. The challenge goes beyond building more roads. We need
to provide safe walkways and bicycle paths, incentives for
carpooling and vanpooling, and improve access to public transit. The
two-year city budget recently approved by the Council includes an
increased emphasis on all the ways needed to address Redmond's
traffic problems.
In addition, the Council continues its efforts to lobby state and
federal legislatures for transportation funding and to work with
other jurisdictions in seeking ways to improve the process for
planning, designing, and building new projects and improvements to
existing transportation systems. Council members continue to seek
ways to collaborate with our neighboring cities of Bellevue and
Kirkland as well as King County and the State Department of
Transportation. The Council is also exploring options offered by
regional consortiums and outside agencies.
Another major focus for the Redmond Council is the process to
update the City's Comprehensive and Transportation Plans,
considering alternatives for future growth and planning for
infrastructure needs. While any changes in existing policies will be
decided by the Council, a critical part of the process includes
public involvement. Citizens are encouraged to watch for workshops,
surveys, and public meetings that offer opportunities to provide
input and feedback on proposed draft policies and alternatives.
In addition, the Council is concerned with issues of preserving
the environment, particularly with regard to federally mandated
requirements of the Endangered Species Act. Policies and regulations
to protect sensitive areas and enhance wildlife habitat will be
revisited and projects implemented that help preserve our natural
resources.
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