Public hearing on budget was a bust<\/b><\/p>\n
After no residents showed up at a public hearing Tuesday night to tell the Kent City Council what they would like to see in the 2009 city budget, Councilwoman Jamie Danielson tried to spark some interest.<\/p>\n
“Please come to these,” Danielson said before the Council adjourned. “We want to hear from you.”<\/p>\n
A second public hearing at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at City Hall will allow residents to comment on the proposed 2009 budget. A third public hearing is slated for Nov. 18 when the Council considers adoption of the budget.<\/p>\n
Council President Debbie Raplee said the Council wants to hear what residents think about any of the city services.<\/p>\n
“It could be anything from road improvements to whatever,” Raplee said in a phone interview Wednesday.<\/p>\n
A public hearing Tuesday night for comment on what to include in the 2009-2014 Capital Improvement Plan also failed to draw any residents. The Capital Plan includes numerous projects for streets, utilities and parks.<\/p>\n
“I’m struck that no one was here to talk about the budget or Capital Plan,” Danielson said before she issued a pitch for residents to show up. “I know people have an interest.”<\/p>\n
City Finance Director Bob Nachlinger said no residents have shown up at public hearings to give input on the budget in the five years he’s been involved in the hearings.<\/p>\n
Mayor Suzette Cooke said after the Council meeting that the lack of interest indicates residents are satisfied with the city’s handling of the budget.<\/p>\n
“I think the Council has been so open about the process and listens to the public,” Cooke said. “And as a team, we have covered the concerns the public may have.”<\/p>\n
Cooke also said residents hesitate to come up with ideas to add to the budget or the Capital Improvement Plan. Cooke will present her preliminary budget on Oct. 7 to the Council.<\/p>\n
“It’s easier for the public to respond to something rather than give input,” Cooke said. “But this is an ideal time for input.”<\/p>\n
Kent residents haven’t always stayed away from public hearings on the city budget.<\/p>\n
“In the past, people have had pet projects or opinions on how to prioritize projects,” Cooke said. “When we had gaps in services, people would ask for money for projects.”<\/p>\n
The Council will have budget workshops at 3 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall and at 5 p.m. Oct. 7 at City Hall. Workshops are open to the public, but no public testimony will be taken.<\/p>\n
Raplee encouraged residents to attend a workshop to get background on the budget and find out information they could comment on at a public hearing or Council meeting.<\/p>\n
“That’s where discussions take place,” Raplee said of the workshops. “There’s a lot of conversation about whether we raise utility (water and sewer) fees. That will impact the budget and the amount we pay.”<\/p>\n
Raplee said residents are invited to speak about budget concerns at any regular Council meeting, on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.<\/p>\n
“They do not have to wait until a public hearing,” Raplee said.<\/p>\n
The city finance department prepares a preliminary budget balancing final revenue forecasts with expenditures before the mayor sends a proposed budget to the Council. The preliminary printed budget is available between Oct. 15 and Nov. 1 at the city clerk and the finance department at Kent City Hall and the Kent Regional Library.<\/p>\n
A balanced capital plan with updated priorities and available revenue will be incorporated into the annual budget.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
City staff presented a $47 million Capital Budget for 2009 Tuesday at a Council workshop. The Capital Budget projects include $24.3 million for utilities, $10.1 million for public safety, $4.8 million for transportation, $4.7 million for parks and recreation and $2.9 million for general government (including facility improvements).<\/p>\n
For more information, call the City of Kent Finance Department at 253-856-5264 or go to www.ci.kent.wa.us\/<\/p>\n
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After no residents showed up at a public hearing Tuesday night to tell the Kent City Council what they would like to see in the 2009 city budget, Councilwoman Jamie Danielson tried to spark some interest.
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