2014/10/29 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

October 29, 2014 As with many communities around the state, we must adjust to a changing reality for local governments. State-shared revenues continue to dwindle as the state struggles with its own budget. The cost of doing business continues to climb, even as traditional sources of revenue disappear. Our biggest challenge in coming years will be the rising costs of health care for our staff, and we are exploring many possible solutions to this complex issue. As I said this spring, I have directed staff to continue working toward a 10 percent medical contribution for all City employees, which is an effort that the community has strongly supported. With your support of my proposed budget, we will begin restoring funding for important infrastructure in 2015, including our street overlay program and the City's technology infrastructure reserves. My proposed budget also restores payments to the LEOFF 1 pension reserve fund. At the same time, we have adjusted for increased costs in several areas, including jail fees and our indigent-defense program. As we near the end of 2014, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our entire City workforce. Our employees — at every level of our organization — have continued to work diligently throughout the economic downturn and recovery to provide essential services to our community. I am honored to work alongside them. I would also like to thank the City Council and community leaders for your thoughtful participation in our structural deficit work this spring, and your continuing commitment to Everett and the future of our community. Sincerely, Ray Stephanson Mayor Susy Haugen, Finance, provided a budget clarification presentation in response to this morning's article in the Herald, which contained invalid budget comparisons. 298