2022 La Conner budget approved

For the first time since 2019 La Conner will have a code enforcement officer. The town council added $113,000 to the 2022 annual budget it passed at its Dec. 14 meeting – $88,000 for staff, $25,000 for a vehicle. Another $338,547 continues the contract with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office. That 2.2% increase from 2021 is the first year of a five year agreement, with the contract total negotiated annually. The $437,852 in law enforcement is a 32.2% increase over 2021 and 8.0% of the $5.49 million in expenditures. Last year no funds were allocated for code enforcement.

Revenues are estimated at $5.07 million. The $426,795 projected deficit is covered by the $4.74 million surplus in the general fund.

Finance Director Maria DeGoede pointed out that in updating budget figures, 50% more had been added to the sales tax total and that was still a low estimate of 2022 revenues.

A public hearing started the budget topic. No one spoke, repeating the pattern of earlier meetings. After less than 10 minutes of conversation the council passed the budget 4-0 with Councilmember John Leaver silent, indicating his disapproval of the agreement with the sheriff’s office.

Council members had their last say on issues they had been inquiring about all fall, primarily public safety. Discussion started with the $25,000 for the vehicle for code enforcement. Leaver again asked about an electric vehicle. Councilmember MaryLee Chamberlain wondered if a used EV was an option. Councilmember Bill Stokes reiterated his assessment that a four cylinder transit van was the most fuel and cost effective choice. No changes were made to the budget.

Chamberlain shared her research on fire inspections and her concern about downtown businesses going years without property inspections, especially First Street locations with common walls. A $35,000 inspection program from the Skagit County fire marshal that La Conner fire department staff member Adam Avery brought up in November is on the back burner for 2022. Council could amend the budget to cover it DeGoede pointed out.

Chamberlain brought up flood control and Councilmember Mary Wohleb again brought up funding hydrology modeling for sea level rise. Stokes reiterated his concern over flooding from the Skagit River and there was some discussion of the usefulness of a ring dike northeast of the school campus. Mayor Ramon Hayes promised that “any study the council proposes” will be funded.

Administrator Scott Thomas covered his list, noting that the July 4 fireworks display expenditures had been increased to $15,000 from $10,000, which he believes will “be adequate to put the display on.” Leaver’s suggestion that funds could be saved by having an arrangement with Swinomish tribal members, who expend their inventory throughout the night, went unheeded.

Thomas addressed the $2,500 increase to the school district’s Braves Club program as covering additional program costs of low income youth.

Hayes’ budget statement, sent to council around Dec. 9, listed a 4.0% cost of living increase for administration staff and a 3.0% increase for public works staff.

It noted the town has a total of $264,912 in federal coronavirus funding

Infrastructure expenditures account for 79% of the deficit, with 62.3% of it, almost $210,000, from sewer projects. Street projects will cost $75,756 more over its revenues and storm drainage projects will drain $54,223 from its fund.