Liberty Lake council previews taxes, budget
In a quick meeting, the Liberty Lake City Council touched on a few controversial issues that will be back for more discussion as the budget moves toward approval by the end of November.
An ordinance before the council Tuesday called for a 1 percent increase in property taxes in 2009, the maximum amount allowed by the state. The increase would collect an additional $16,000, said administrative services manager Jessica Platt. But since property values have been going up, the amount collected per $1,000 in assessed home value would actually drop from $1.58 to $1.54. “It’s not necessarily a property tax increase,” Platt said.
Of that money, 50 cents per $1,000 in assessed value goes to the city library. “We’re technically providing services on $1.04 per thousand,” said Mayor Wendy Van Orman. “I’d say we’re doing pretty good.”
While property taxes are only allowed to rise by 1 percent per year, the cost of doing business has gone up 3.5 percent this year. Council member Susan Schuler expressed concern about raising taxes and asked if budget cuts have been considered.
“Our budget is extremely lean,” said Platt.
The mayor’s proposed budget, which will be presented to the council during a special meeting Oct. 28 at 8 p.m., doesn’t call for any new staff or programs. The only capital projects in the budget are $350,000 for the completion of phase two of Rocky Hill Park, $300,000 for the Arboretum, about $80,000 for a skate park and $150,000 for baseball fields at a location to be determined. The city has received $93,000 in state and county grants for the skate park and hopes to receive a $500,000 state grant to complete Rocky Hill Park.
“We’re not seeing any room for large projects,” said community development director Doug Smith.
Councilman Patrick Jenkins announced his opposition to the property tax increase, which will come before the council again on Nov. 18. “I will fight this tax increase all the way to the bitter end,” he said.
In other business, the council approved recommendations from the Lodging tax Advisory Board to award funding of $25,000 to the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau for 2008 and $10,000 for 2009, plus an award of $10,000 to the Friends of Pavillion Park for 2009.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau is getting two awards because the city’s previous administration promised the group money for 2008, Van Orman said. “I believe we should honor that,” she said.
The council also discussed the annual cost of living increase given to employees. Traditionally, the city has used the Consumer Price Index to set the annual COLA. This year the CPI was 5.9 percent. Some council members expressed concern about the high amount on top of the 2 percent annual raises given based on merit. The discussion will continue during the budget process.
The next regular council meeting set for Nov. 4 was canceled because of election night activities. The meeting may be rescheduled, but no decision was made Tuesday.