Medical Lake budget gets first reading
Additional firefighter, cost-of-living increases are main changes
The ordinance approving the 2009 budget for the city of Medical Lake had its first reading Tuesday night at the city council meeting. The budget amount is $9,135,223.
Finance Director Pamela McBroom presented the council with a balanced budget after a lengthy process of receiving budget requests from city staff.
One of the items that was budgeted was a full-time firefighter to add to the city’s volunteer force. The subject was brought up during the budget workshop, but there will be no major expenses during the 2009 year.
McBroom said the only change in the budget was staff salaries with cost of living adjustments written in, as well as an increase in the cost of benefits such as medical, dental and vision.
McBroom also presented the council with amendments to the 2008 budget which would move funds around to different parts of the budget to make up for additional expenditures.
“We move money around every year,” McBroom said. “This is just part of our process.”
She added that the additional expenditures are items that the council is aware of, since they came up during the course of the year. Some of those projects include street projects of Spence, Evergreen and the fire bays at the fire station.
The council also approved vacating a 5-foot portion of the right-of-way on Brower Street so residents Robert and Theresa Blum can build a porch on their home. The couple is remodeling their 100-year-old home and found they could only build a porch extending 4 feet from their house.
The next regular city council meeting will be held Dec. 2.