Council approves slight property tax increase

Liberty Lake City Council reversed a three-year trend in lowering property taxes on Tuesday.

The City Council approved a slight increase that adjusts for inflation and banks about $10,000 to help offset anticipated street repair bills in the future.

“I believe that now is not the time to continue to lower taxes,” said Councilwoman Judi Owens, over a speakerphone. Owens phoned in from Auburn, Wash., where she was attending a meeting.

Taxpayers will pay $2.10 per $1,000 of assessed property value, up just two cents from last year.

“The more we can save now the less it’s going to hurt taxpayers down the road,” said Joanna Klegin, who voted in favor of the increase.

The council’s decision came after lengthy debate on anticipated expenses for replacing the city’s 27 miles of streets, which are expected to enter varying stages of deterioration over the next 20 years.

After taking inventory of city streets, the city’s planning department determined that putting grind and overlay on existing roads would add up to about $15 million, if the work were done today. The cost breaks down to $768,000 a year – an amount some council members hope to start setting aside each budget cycle.

“There is a $15 million elephant in the room. I think we need to start having a long discussion about it,” said Councilman Patrick Jenkins.

This year’s draft budget includes about $200,000 in funds to be contributed for larger road improvement projects. Those funds are separate from about $350,000 allocated for maintenance that includes plowing and patching.

Jenkins proposed looking at cuts in part-time positions, including financial analyst and executive administrative assistant. He also suggested decreasing the amount of money the city contributes to regional economic development and other savings that added up to about $125,000.

“I think as a city we need to be disciplined enough to live within our means,” said Jenkins, who likened the process to “looking through couches for pennies.”

Arlene Fisher, director of finance and administration for the city, went to bat for some of the six positions, including a part-time library page that she said is necessary to open the new children’s library. However, she agreed that some of the cost-savings proposed by Jenkins could work.

“Basically,” Fisher said, “the choice is do you pinch now or do you pinch later?”