PORT TOWNSEND — City officials Wednesday began assessing their next steps — and hoping the community will help them — following the overwhelming rejection of a $1 property tax rate increase the day before.
“I am disappointed,” said City Councilwoman Laurie Medlicott, adding that she’s preparing for the difficult task of balancing the 2005 city budget, which is projected to be around $770,000 in the red for 2005.
“We hope to learn from the voters what the priorities are,” added Councilman Kees Kolff.
To that end, the city scheduled a budget priority community meeting for Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the USO building at Fort Worden State Park, 200 Battery Way.
The laundry list of cuts that citizens and council might revisit includes:
* Two new firefighter/emergency medical technician positions and one new police officer position, for an estimated cost savings of $225,000.
* Severe cutbacks in parks maintenance, saving about $200,000.
* Closing the municipal swimming pool, $135,000.
* Curtailing recreation programs through the Jefferson County Family YMCA, $90,000.
* Reducing contributions to community nonprofit programs such as the Jefferson County Economic Development Council, Port Townsend Main Street, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program, The Boiler Room teen center, Arts Commission, United Good Neighbors and the Port Townsend Farmers Market, for a total savings of about $120,000.
Almost 2-1 against
In the final round of vote-counting late Tuesday night, 65.3 percent voted against Proposition 1, which would have increased the city property tax from $1.94 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $2.94.
Results from polling and absentee balloting showed 2,731 “no” votes to 1,451 “yes” votes.
Although about 3,000 ballots still need counting, city officials acknowledged Wednesday that the measure lost.
Monday’s forum will give members of the community the opportunity to amplify their comments, at a pre-election information forum on Proposition 1, about whether cutting services is sensible and if the city had other options.