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October 29,2003 <br /> For the second year in a row,there are no new departmental programs <br /> proposed in the budget. We have also made the difficult decision to <br /> eliminate 19 positions from the general government budget through <br /> attrition,a$1.4 million annual savings beginning in 2004.This brings the <br /> total positions eliminated through attrition to 28 since I became Mayor. <br /> We have contained costs in areas where we have the discretion to do so. <br /> However,the City is party to contractual commitments where costs <br /> continue to rise.These areas include negotiated labor contracts with Cost- <br /> of-Living Adjustments(COLA)and business end liability insurance. <br /> • <br /> In addition,like many employers nationwide,the City has experienced <br /> double-digit increases over the past tour years in the cost of employee <br /> medical benefits.Last year I asked our Finance and Human Resources <br /> Departments to assess the <br /> issue <br /> and work to develop solutions.I am pleased to report that this has <br /> led to the creator of a committee that includes representatives of all of <br /> the City's labor groups. <br /> I am optimistic that this committee,working with our consultants and our • <br /> own staff,will develop win-win solutions to this very daunting challenge.It <br /> is goal to present cost savings altematives to you within six months. <br /> As I just stated,I am not proposing any new programs in this yeah <br /> budget,but <br /> I am proposing to enhance a current program..Economic Development. <br /> Lanie McMullin has done a tremendous job for the Coy over the past <br /> several years in a variety of roles and it makes very good sense for the <br /> future of this City to expand the resources at her disposal for Economic <br /> Development.For this reason,this budget reflects last year's decision to <br /> create an Economic Development Department,and I have reassigned <br /> existing employees to this department increasing staffing from one half- <br /> time positon to 2.9 employees. <br /> I am also expanding the Economic Development Department budget this <br /> year.Lane's work in corporate recruitment has already paid dividends by <br /> bringing businesses and jobs to Everett in 2003.We expect more great <br />