On Monday night, May 6, Tigard's Budget Committee approved a proposed budget for the city's 2013-2014 Fiscal Year. This approved budget is a "level budget" that continues funding services at their current level and is sustainable for the next three to five years; avoiding service cuts similar to those made last year.
The FY 2013-14 budget continues to address infrastructure needs through the Capital Improvement Program. Funding for key city projects includes the partnership with Lake Oswego to own a long-term water source, constructing intersection improvements at 72nd Ave. and Dartmouth St., pavement maintenance on more than 10 miles of Tigard roads, coordinating with the Oregon Dept. of Transportation to improve the intersection at Pacific Hwy./Gaarde St./McDonald St., maintaining infrastructure in the city's water, sewer, and stormwater utilities and concluding the purchase of future park lands using the 2010 voter approved $17 million park bond.
City services will continue to focus on our residents' highest priorities, as measured by citizen input, Council priorities and recommendations from the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force. Along with maintaining current service levels, the FY13-14 approved budget includes the reclassification of an existing vacant position into a position that will focus on economic development in Tigard.
The city will also contract with a communications professional for support that focuses on the city's marketing and public outreach. One new position was added to the city's Building Division to address the increased demand for building permits. The revenue generated by the increased amount of permits will pay for the new building position. The city received a grant that will allow us to furnish all Tigard Police patrol vehicles with e-ticketing equipment that increases productivity and improves officer safety.
The Budget Committee approved an increase to the stipend for the Mayor and Councilors. The city's municipal code calls for an annual review of the Council stipend. The current Councilor stipend hasn't changed since 1999. The Mayor's stipend has remained unchanged since 2008. The committee addressed the lapse in stipend increase by using COLAs provided to non-union staff as the basis for the increase. Using this method, the Budget Committee approved an increase of $125/month to the Councilor stipend (from $350 to $475/month) and an increase in the Mayor's stipend from $42,000 annually to $43,910 annually. The committee also agreed to pay for cell phone and iPad data plans related to city business and approved a $275/month automobile allowance in recognition of the increased local travel demanded of Mayor and Councilors. The Budget Committee found savings in the Mayor and Council's budget to pay for the increases. The result is a total increase of $3,277, or 1.25 percent over the Mayor and Council's budget as proposed.
The Budget Committee's approved budget is scheduled for a
public hearing before the City Council on Tuesday, June 11, at City Hall at 7:30 p.m.
When adopted, the FY 2013-14 Budget will take effect on July 1, 2013.
