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• <br /> September 29, 2021 <br /> This is in part thanks to operational efficiencies, creative innovations and strategic <br /> partnerships, which have helped us continue providing core services and beloved <br /> programs, at significant savings. <br /> It's also due in part to unexpected savings, which are a result of the high number <br /> of vacant positions we've had. Like businesses everywhere, we're struggling to <br /> recruit enough qualified applicants to fill these open positions. <br /> Together these factors allowed us to balance without cuts this year. <br /> But still we are faced with the reality of a growing structural deficit and City <br /> revenues that are not keeping pace with the cost of delivering public services. The <br /> past few years, we've done everything we can to bring our budget into balance, <br /> including painful cuts to internal services and City teams, cuts to beloved <br /> programs, putting off maintenance of our buildings, vehicles and equipment, and <br /> deferring payments toward long-term liabilities. <br /> • There isn't anything left to cut or defer without negatively impacting our quality <br /> of life or our economic recovery. <br /> So we are now at a crossroads where we have to decide what kind of city we want <br /> Everett to be. To balance future budgets, we have to look at other options. <br /> We have not asked our community for additional resources to support general <br /> services, like police, fire, parks and the library, since the 1% limit on property tax <br /> was enacted 20 years ago. I believe it is time to allow voters to weigh in on which <br /> services...and at what level... they are willing to support before we propose more <br /> cuts in future budgets. Everett residents should have a direct voice in these <br /> decisions. <br /> I look forward to working with you our city council, as well as engaging our <br /> community over the coming year to determine the best options to pursue in order <br /> to put the City's finances on a long-lasting sustainable path. <br /> Before I close, I'd like to acknowledge what a significant undertaking it is to put <br /> together a city budget and make sure it balances! It takes literally months of <br /> behind-the-scenes work of our City staff. We have a pretty amazing finance <br /> i <br /> 15 <br />