Ritzville City Council approves 2018 budget

During the Dec. 19 meeting, the Ritzville City Council approved an ordinance adopting the 2018 budget for the city, totaling $8,625,445.

Prior to adoption, the council held two public hearings for the budget.

The city budgeted the Current Expense fund at $1,116,920 for the next fiscal year.

Several city departments within the Current Expense fund experienced increases in operations.

Administrative costs increased by 2 percent, while the Police Department’s budget was raised by 6 percent. One percent of the increase in the department’s budget is for wages while the 5 percent is for operating costs.

The Fire Department’s expenses increased by over 22 percent from last year’s budget. The increase accounts for the salaries for the fire chief, assistant chief and captain.

The golf course’s expenses increased 11 percent, which is primarily attributed to the wage increase for the course’s manager from $4,100 to $4,500 a month.

The City Park’s expenses will increase 13 percent, while the cemetery’s expenses rose 10 percent. The increases in both funds are related to operating costs.

The city budgeted $680,095 for the Streets. The fund accounts for Washington State Transportation Improvement Board grant funding for road improvement projects on portions of First Avenue.

One project is from South Clark Street to South Jackson Street and from Cascade Street to the east city limits.

Fifteen thousand dollars was also budgeted for crack sealing of city streets, which council approved in November.

The Performing Arts/Tourism fund is budgeted for $190,000.

This amount includes setting aside $150,000 for 110 funding allocation. Council is not expected to allocate funding for 110 requests until January.

For the 2007 General Obligation Debt Service paymnt, $31,500 was budgeted.

The Cumulative Reserve fund was set at $155,050 while the Utility Fax Fund is budgeted for $380,000. The Proprietary Reserve fund was set at $1,400,000.

Councilmember Dede Rawlings asked about the $30 budgeted for Police Officer Reserves. Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick said the department has not had a reserve officer nor has the fund has not been used in many years, but it has to be accounted for in the budget.

When asked about the $550 budgeted for the Police Drug fund, McCormick explained it is approved by the mayor every year and only used for undercover investigation operations.

The city budgeted at $1,743,500 for the Water fund, while the Water Revenue Debt Reserve was set at $200,000.

The Sewer fund was budgeted for $1,101,300 and the Sanitation fund was set at $520,000.

The Public Works Transportation Construction Loan has been budgeted for $150,000.

The Department of Ecology Debt Service fund is set at $205,000, and the Equipment Rental and Revolving fund is budgeted for $631,650.

Finally, the city budgeted $12,730 for the Criminal Justice fund and $60,000 for Law and Justice. The Cemetery fund was set at $82,900 with an increase in operating costs.

With the adoption of the budget also resulted in the adoption of the 2018 fee schedule.

The fee schedule for 2018 included two changes, one being a 3 percent increase for using large solid waste containers on properties.

During the Nov. 21 public hearing for the budget, Mayor Gary Cook said the increase on the waste containers will cover the cost of dumping fees from Adams County.

The fee schedule also includes an increase of bulk water fees. The first 1,000 gallons of water will cost $75 and every 1,000 gallons thereafter will be $10.

Bulk water rates will not affect a residents’ utility bill.