PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend City Council approved a city budget for 2017 with a slight increase from last year, despite fewer capital expenses.
“The 2016 and 2017 budgets are very similar,” said City Manager David Timmons. “They’re very comparable.”
The total budget for 2017 was approved at $38,701,683 for the year. The proposed balance for 2017 is $12,108,858, which is up from the $10,653,786 balance estimated for 2016.
The now-adopted city general fund will be $8,283,495 for 2017. That’s up more than 10 percent from the 2016 general fund at $7,496,782.
Timmons said the biggest change will be in the city’s capital expenses.
Capital expenses
In 2016, the city saw more than $20 million in capital expenses due to the planned construction of the now-complete water treatment plant. With that project off the table, the city is looking only at $7.5 million in capital project expenses in 2017.
Timmons said the biggest projects on the docket are the completion of the Howard Street extension and some upgrades to the Mountain View Commons.
Budget unchanged
The budget went unchanged after there was no public comment during the Nov. 21 public hearing on the budget.
Timmons said the budget was approved Monday with very little discussion.
“There was no public comment and not really any discussion since we’ve been going over this for months,” Timmons said.
Timmons said the 2017 budget has been in the works since summer and has been the topic of numerous planning commission and city council meetings.
The budget was approved by all the city council members in attendance Monday. Council members Robert Gray, Amy Howard, Pamela Adams, David Faber and Mayor Deborah Stinson were all present and voted in favor of the new budget.
Councilwoman Michelle Sandoval and Deputy Mayor Catharine Robinson were not in attendance.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
