2008/10/29 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

October29,2008 maintained our commitment to controlling operating expenses,developing end maintaining a healthy fund balance,reducing debt,and restraining the escalating cost of employee medical benefits. As a result of our responsible approach to debt management,I a pleased to report that we pad off a substantial portion of the Cityus outstanding debt this year. We retired the last of the City's voter- approved senior housing debt and made final payments on the Everett Performing Arts Center,Fire Station 7 near Silver Lake,and the Main Library expansion. Our success in building a solid founda0on for City finances now enables us to present to you a balanced budget with no layoffs or service cuts— even In these challenging times. The total proposed 2009 budget is$505.7 million,which includes$118.5 million for general government operations. Similar to those presented over the past five years,this financial plan identifies necessary capital investments and minimal operational increases to keep our city safe and improve our quality of life.Highlights are as follows: Public Safety Public safety remains the No.1 priority of my administration.In the 2009 budget we propose to add two law enforcement positions and use state- of-the-art technology to improve efficiencies within our police department. Grant funding in the amount of$280,000 will enable us to: •hire an additional detective to manage address verification for Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders; •hire a civilian cdme analyst to target auto-theft crimes in cooperation with Snohomish County law enforcement; •purchase automatic license plate reader to assist In the identification of stolen vehicles; •provide digital cameras for all patrol officers to improve efficiency in gathering photographic evidence; •purchase wireless cameras and graffitialeding devices to assist In our efforts to prevent this type of property crime;and •implement an on-line reporting system that gives community 357