PORT ANGELES — The city’s proposed $110.7 million budget for 2007 includes a lower property tax rate, two new police officers and a state-funded archaeologist position that is part of the Tse-whit-zen settlement.
It also calls for a new assistant city attorney position and a half-time assistant for Port Angeles Fine Arts Center Director Jake Seniuk — and it cuts 3.2 positions at the Port Angeles landfill as the city switches the dump to a transfer station.
A public hearing on the budget is set for 7 p.m. tonight in the council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
A second public hearing, followed by possible adoption of the budget by the City Council, is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at City Hall.
“It’s another positive year,” said City Finance Director Yvonne Ziomkowski.
Senior center expansion
Capital projects in the proposed budget total $20 million, including the redesigned Eighth Street bridges replacement project, the Port Angeles International Gateway Transportation Center and expansion of the Port Angeles Senior Services and Community Center at 328 E. Seventh St.
It also includes $4.57 million in reserve funds, about 4.1 percent, which is an increase from the $3.2 million or 3 percent used in 2006.
The city’s estimated 2007 property tax rate is $3.18 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
The estimated rate is 16 cents per $1,000 lower than last year’s, which was the lowest tax rate in 20 years when special levies were included, Ziomkowski said.
It will save the owner of a $150,000 home $24, compared with the tax rate in 2006.