2021 Town budget approved

Though La Conner rests along the well-traveled Swinomish Channel, its town government is entering uncharted waters in terms of mapping a financial game plan for 2021.

The reason is COVID-19.

Despite prospects of a much-anticipated vaccine being available next year, the coronavirus pandemic has cast its shadow on municipal budgeting, Mayor Ramon Hayes noted in a year-end message to the Town Council last week.

Hayes shared his thoughts prior to the Dec. 8 adoption by Council members of a 2021 budget leaner than what was approved a year ago.

“This,” Hayes said, “is a budget message I never imagined having to submit.”

The Council approved a 2021 budget anticipating $5,001,339 in revenues and $5,182,623 in expenditures during its Zoom meeting. The $181,284 deficit will be covered from the $3,247,056 fund balance.

Public works staff will receive a 3.25% wage increase; other staff get 2% increases. Sales tax revenues are reduced by 30% in anticipation of next year’s impact of COVID-19 on the economy.

The Town’s 2020 planned expenditures were 12% larger, at $5,860,929.

Hayes said shrinking revenues linked to COVID-19 coupled with increased costs in certain areas, including code and law enforcement, proved challenging.

“We are likely months away from knowing the full fiscal impact of COVID-19 and, in turn, we do not yet have all the answers,” Hayes said.

“Each department,” Hayes noted, “has worked diligently to keep expenses down without compromising services to our citizens.”

“The year 2021,” Hayes predicted, “will be a time to take stock and plan for a healthy future.

Council support for the new budget was not unanimous.

Member John Leaver said his dissent hinged on the cost of contracting with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services in La Conner.

The sheriff’s office contract will be $331,097, up 3% or $ 9,644.

Leaver, who serves on the Council’s finance, facilities, and long-range planning committees, said the contract “is not sustainable given COVID-19 and other circumstances.”

“But, more importantly,” he told the Weekly News, “I don’t think we are well served by this contract. We are given basically a part-time sergeant and one full-time deputy. However, their on-duty time under our contract provides for patrolling and responding in Bay View and Conway.

“I have nothing against the sheriff’s office or any of their officers,” Leaver stressed. “But I feel and have felt for a long time that we are not served well by this contract and we would do better to explore a contract with the Swinomish Police Department.”

Leaver said the Town would benefit from potential cost-savings and the proximity between La Conner and Swinomish Tribal Police Department offices, factors he has championed since 2013.

“When a 9-1-1 is called in,” he said, “it is usually the Swinomish Police that respond first and with the most support.”

Leaver noted that since the spring there has been “a spate of petty thefts, vandalism, and even an armed robbery.”

When the sheriff’s office contract was extended last summer, a Council majority agreed the present arrangement allows La Conner use of county detectives as needed and that a mutual aid agreement is already in place authorizing Swinomish Police to respond to emergencies in town. Hayes cited the strong working relationship between the Town and sheriff’s office.

Council member MaryLee Chamberlain praised Town Finance Director Maria DeGeoede and department heads who number-crunched this budget. Painful choices included all capital improvement projects.

“I want to thank everybody who worked on the budget,” Chamberlain said. “It’s tough to put the capital projects off.”

Hayes noted the construction this year of a new pump station off Caledonia Street and channel bank stabilization at Conner Waterfront Park.

“This has been an unprecedented year,” said Hayes. “First, we were faced with a global pandemic unlike anything we had ever seen before. Then we were faced with dramatic decisions on economic activity as many of our businesses suspended operations in order to combat the virus, resulting in unemployment and economic distress in too many households. Today, we continue to face levels of uncertainty that seem never-ending, impacting the health and well-being of our residents, and increasing demand for the services the Town and other levels of government provide.”

Still, Hayes has not shed his trademark optimism going forward.

“While these are challenging times with increasing costs,” he said, “our Town remains committed to enhancing the economic vitality of La Conner while maintaining the quality of life that makes La Conner so inviting.”