Clyde Hill News This Week, #6
City Hall remodel or replacement, unofficial election results, a new Fire Station, the 2022 budget, and a Holiday Food Drive
In brief:
The City will present its ~$4.6 million budget for 2022 for approval at December 7’s Council meeting, along with a property tax increase. The 2022 budget (like 2021’s) is balanced using the City’s extensive reserves as City expenditures continue to exceed revenues. (link)
Revenue is less than expenditures, resulting in a deficit (in red and parentheses). The “Beg(inning) Fund Balance,” or reserves or “savings,” is what makes it work. Original slides here. The City’s plans in 2022 include developing a new utility tax on residents for stormwater and additional spending for City Hall planning work, based on discussions at the final Budget Advisory Committee meeting and City Council meeting. Options for City Hall work have ranged from $375K for seismic retrofitting to over $8m to replace City Hall. Work with Bellevue on a new Fire Station is also planned. (link)
The City, according to residents, said its resolution to the stormwater problems on 17th is “not weeks away but several months.” While the City has made great efforts to unplug the drain, as well as building sandbag berms on two lots, the City has not yet committed to or taken responsibility for repairs.
In election news, incumbent City Councilmembers Steve Friedman and Kim Muromoto easily won re-election. Dean Hachamovitch leads John Schwager by ~50 votes with ~25 votes yet to be counted. King County will certify final election results on November 23. (link)
Police warned of “a rise in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicle exhaust systems. Toyota Priuses are the most common vehicle type being targeted right now, although many have been stolen from various other makes and models.” More information including prevention tips here.
The Holiday Food Drive hosted by Clyde Hill Police is next week (Nov 15-19). Some details from last year’s flyer here.
Thanks again for reading —
Dean