BUDGET FOLLIES

Ruston, WA town council meeting Monday May 18, 2009 7pm:

BUDGET DISCUSSION new business C

Wayne- started last year so far out what is use?
Mayor- auditor had suggestions for budgeting expenses.
Bradley- nothing.
Jim-
.We can save significant expenses contracting out courts. It is expensive to keep up, Judges salary.
.Do we need 24/7 police service?
.Need to narrow down number of officers.
.Reassign chief to patrol.
.Is there a need for five police cars?
.Pay electrician out of Utility account.
.Pay Steve for time spent out of Utility account. We have a robust Utility account. Use for operational expenses.
Dan- Utility account funds needed for street lighting.
.Cannot contract out courts, get out of. It is cheaper if we can afford to have local control. Save money only depending on County charges.
.Spent $225 thousand dollars out of $500 thousand dollars budgeted from surplus fund.
.Proposed budget itemized listing of cuts, several hundred of thousands of dollars unless went to round file.
Jane-
.Agree with Jim Hedrick on Judicial system going to County. Need to determine cost.
.to Karen $200 thousand budgeted?
Karen- $213 thousand dollars through April $92 thousand used.
Jane- retail sales tax higher than estimated.
Karen- We won't see much of that.
Mayor- goes by ZIP code. We need our own ZIP code to get proper payment.
Jim- Department of Revenue we have our own ZIP code. They may send out letter. Mr. Cohen buying lumber from X company should use Ruston code. Department of Revenue will do. Large corporations will not do it.
Sherri- SONY asked Ruston or Tacoma ZIP code.
Karen- some retailers do this.
Mayor- to Jim Hedrick: know anybody at Department of Revenue to direct me to?
Mayor-
.budget picture skewed, overall we are at 21 percent of budget, high due to insurance costs paid.
Dan- High?
Mayor-
.five percent less than anticipated.
.$65 thousand dollars per quarter.
.$250 thousand dollars less this year. Majority from Police department budget not filling Police Chief slot.
.Proposal revenue budget police department. Working with acting Police Chief Jeremy to bridge gap. Burn rate at $250 thousand dollars per year manageable.
.Incrementally go after increases in our tax base.
.Tacoma has natural gas tax Ruston does not.
.Have to do utility rate increases, presently low, getting solid revenue up. Have to!
.Development online 10 to 12 years.
.Point Ruston $1.5 million in sales last month.
.Commencement units sold at $1 million dollars apiece.
.Stack Hill sold model home.
.Let's bring up taxes one at a time. Annexation or no annexation utility rates will stay the same as Tacoma.

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Wayne Stebner, Dan Albertson, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Karen Carlisle

Best I can come up with listening to CD of meeting. Any discrepancies let me know.

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