2002/10/30 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

MAYOR October 30,2002 PROCLAMATION • Mayor Anderson proclaimed October 30,2002 as'Assistance League of Everett Day. He presented the proclamation to Eileen Hack of the Assistance League. 2003 BUDGET MESSAGE Mayor Anderson presented the following 2003 budget message: Citizens of Everett,members of Council,and City staff,I want to thank you for this opportunity to present the proposed bi dget for 2003. One of my first responsibilities since becoming Mayor was to undertake the difficult job of preparing the budget that is before you today.I believe that this financial plan represents a careful mix of revenues,expenses, and fund balance targets that serve the citizens well as we strive to maintain the high levels of service Everett taxpayers have come to expect. Consistent with the past eight years,we are proposing a budget that limits our 2003 expenditures to our forecasted revenues.One of our primary goals In preparing this financial plan was to minimize impacts to the current level of service that our citizens enjoy while maintaining sound fiscal managemont of our reserves and future economic well being. It is never an easy task to prepare d balanced budget that meets the ever-increasing needs of our growing community.However,during these economic times of continually diminishing resources,impacts of voter-approved initiatives,and increasing costs,the effort of balancing our current budget has been difficult.The future economic climate and fiscal constraints that we expect to dominate our financial horizon will make s even re imperative for us all to work closely together in the coming years. In response to our diminished revenue outlook,for the second year in a row,this budget is presented without increases in employees or operating funds beyond those required by contracts or interlocal 358