Cheney budget approved

CHENEY – The City Council unanimously passed its 2009 budget Nov. 25, with several officials agreeing that Cheney’s economic situation is in “relatively good shape.”

The budget, which estimates a total of $33,394,200, is smaller than in 2008, partly because the city won’t need to spend as much on its wastewater treatment plant.

“Cheney is in relatively good shape in respect to the rest of the state,” said Councilmember Tom Trulove during the meeting.

City administrator Arlene Fisher added during her presentation to the council that city staff is still looking for ways to save money in each department, given the struggling economy.

City staff will be more cautious with hiring this year, along with cutting several software purchases, limiting how often city staff travel, and also limiting city staff membership fees in outside organizations, Fisher said.

City officials had a bit of controversy over the $70,000 worked into the budget to pay for a 20-year comprehensive plan for the city. Council member Curt Huff wanted to know why the city needed that much money for the plan.

Public works director Brian Jennings explained that the city will need to hire consultants in order to hash out details on the future growth of the city; everything from traffic impact, land-use planning, transportation planning, and how to develop and execute strategies that accomplish many of the city’s growth goals.

Jennings also mentioned that Cheney has a conservative estimate for this plan compared with other similar cities: Ellensburg spent $185,000 on theirs.

When asked why the city’s finances seemed to be fairly secure, Fisher pointed out that Cheney businesses have a rather sturdy market because of student spending. Eastern Washington University regularly attracts more than 9,000 people into Cheney each year for classes, a population which often buys at Cheney stores.

Fisher said the city should continue to work on attracting more businesses to keep city finances healthy.

“It’s pivotal that we plan for that and work for that,” Fisher said.

Other West Plains cities have not fared as well. Airway Heights, which has a population about half the size of Cheney, had to cut almost a half million dollars from their 2009 budget and institute a hiring freeze. Airway Heights economy draws in part from the Spokane International Airport, Northern Quest Casino and other businesses that may fluctuate more with the economy than Cheney businesses do.