Budget sees new projects for Moses Lake in 2006

City looks at downtown, aquatic center improvements

MOSES LAKE —Managing well for the slim years appears to have paid off for the City of Moses Lake.

The last few years have led to tight budgets for the city, which saw belt tightening and a loss of employees. Budgets are still modest, but with an invitation for a few improvements in 2006. Money has been allocated for downtown and street reconstruction projects, with additions proposed to the city's aquatic center as well.

"We still see some encouragement at this point," City Manager Joe Gavinski said, "Enough where we seem able to introduce some capital projects into the budget."

The city plans on a general fund budget totaling $18,814,300, up from $14,161,300 a year ago. The city's total operating budget will amount to $63,559,900, an increase from $56,233,400 budgeted in 2005.

"In essence, it is pretty much the same as it was the year before," Gavinski told council members during a budget study session last week, saying the major expenditures over last year will be the capital projects the city has chosen to undertake. The programs budgeted in 2005, Gavinski said, remain intact looking toward 2006.

Gavinski said a better budget year can be attributed in part to an increase in sales tax funds and property tax receipts from new constructions and annexations with in the city. New homes being constructed throughout town are booming as developers and subdividers continue to put up homes, he said.

"There's economic activity going on," Gavinski said of the Moses Lake area, also citing more retail purchases being made that have increased the city's sales tax income. The proposed budget contains a 1 percent property tax increase.

Projects have been proposed for construction in 2006, including the reconstruction of Third Avenue and Sinkiuse Square at a cost of approximately $1.14 million. Funds are included in the city's budget as well for a $2 million reconstruction of Lakeside and Peninsula Drives. Aquatic Center improvements are also on the plate for 2006, with $2 million slated to be financed through tourism dollars.

That financial position should continue to get a little bit better. Gavinski looked to the widening of Highway 17 from Interstate 90 to the Port of Moses Lake that could bring economic development to the city. The recent gas tax passage will also bring in approximately $65,000 per year in funds for city streets. He said those projects continue to be quite significant. He also mentioned the four-lane pedestrian and vehicle bridge that will be replaced over I-90 at Potato Hill Road.

Councilmen voted 6-1 to accept their 2006 budget on first reading last week, without any changes to be made before final approval. That budget will be presented to the council for final approval at the next meeting Nov. 22.

Councilman Steve Shinn had concerns about the budget during Tuesday's study session, saying that he thought a commitment needs to be made in the budget to Trails and Paths on a long-term basis. Trails and Paths, with a master plan adopted by the council in recent weeks, will see $936,400 budgeted mostly through grants for the Heron Trail and Wanapum bike path.

Gavinski said positions lost in city departments a few years ago have not since been added back, but Department of Homeland Security funds will allow for the hiring of two firefighter/paramedics at the city's fire department beginning next year.

Depending on how the city's financial position looks at the end of the year, Gavinski said city officials could talk about adding a handful of position in some city departments while at their annual retreat in February.

Council members praised city staff Tuesday for their effort on the budget, saying that good management during the tight budget years has left the city in the financial position it is in today.

"We are fortunate to have managed well during the lean times," Councilman Richard Pearce said.