12/03/2007 - Special - MinutesPRESENT: Kim E. Abel, Mayor
City of Port Orchard
2008 Budget Public Hearing
December 3, 2007
Council Members: Chang, Diienno, Geiger, Powers, and Putaansuu
ABSENT: Council Members Clauson and Wyatt (excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Police Chief Townsend, Public Works Director Abed, City Treasurer Tompkins,
Court Administrator Hunt, and City Clerk Merlino.
7:03 P.M. CALL TO ORDER
Council Member Rob Putaansuu led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING: 2007 Budget Proposal
At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Abel opened the Public Hearing to allow for Public Testimony regarding the
2008 proposed City Budget.
City Treasurer Tompkins presented handouts illustrating changes which were made at the
November 26, 2007 Budget Study Session and the draft ordinance adopting the budget for
2008.
Council Member Diienno asked for the current balance in the Property Tax Reserve Account.
City Treasurer Tompkins reported the current balance is $342,610.00.
At 7:07 pm Mayor Abel opened the Public Hearing for public comments.
Gil Michael, 228 Seattle Avenue, asked clarifying questions regarding the City's Property Tax
Revenue Fund, with City Treasurer Tompkins responding to his questions.
Mr. Michael asked for further clarification regarding the proposed allocations in the 2008
budget, such as $35,000 for the parking facility and $475,000 for the purchase of the building
at 213 Prospect Street.
Mr. Michael asked that this Public Hearing be rescheduled to December 10, 2007, due to the
inclement weather. Mayor Abel advised per RCW's this Public Hearing is required to be held
before December 7, 2007.
Kathy Michael, 223 Seattle Avenue, asked that the allocation for an annexation process be
placed back into the 2008 City budget.
Minutes of December 3, 2007
Page 2 of 2
Cindy Lucarelli, 926 Kitsap Street, expressed a concern with not having immediate access to the
proposed 2008 budget. Mayor Abel advised the website was down unexpectedly and due to
new staff at City Hall they were not aware of the availability of the proposed 2008 budget.
Gerry Harmon, 906 Kitsap Street, expressed a concern with the proposed allocation of $35,000
for a parking structure and the purchase of 213 Prospect Street.
As no further audience comments were received, Mayor Abel closed the public input portion of
this Public Hearing.
Council Member Powers presented a handout requesting the Council to reconsider the
expenditure of $25,000 for upgrading of the Paul Powers Park. Council Member Powers advised
the Parks Unreserved Fund was designated for acquiring park land, not for park maintenance.
Council Member Powers suggested placing lights or security cameras at the park and regular
maintenance, instead of pulling funds from the Parks Unreserved Fund Account.
Council Member Powers also presented a handout illustrating her proposed changes to the
Admissions Tax Ordinance and presented the following recommendations:
• Keep the tax at 5%
• Provide a waiver for the first year for any new start up business, subject to the tax
• Designate the proceeds from the tax for tangible projects that benefit the youth, City
parks and other recreational possibilities.
After considerable discussion, the Council made the final changes to the 2008 budget and
recommended the City Treasurer to prepare the draft Ordinance for approval at the December
10, 2007 City Council Meeting.
Designate Admissions Tax Revenue for Recreation
Remove Expenditure for Man Lift Bucket Truck
Take additional funds from Property Tax Reserve
for street paving
Remove Expenditure for Parking Structure Development
Add funds back to Property Tax Reserve
Remove Expenditure for Paul Powers Park Improvements
Add funds back to Park Reserve
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:30p.m. Mayor Abel adjourned the meeting.
$80,000
($40,000)
($40,000)
($35,000)
$35,000
($25,000)
$25,000
Michelle Merlino, City Clerk Kim E. Abel, Mayor