Council approves initial 2015 budget

 

November 20, 2014



The Cathlamet Town Council gave initial approval to the town's 2015 budget when it met Monday.

After going into executive session, the council also authorized Mayor Dale Jacobson to seek legal counsel regarding potential litigation against Skillings Connolly, the firm that has been designing the street light improvement project, and the council approved a $23,197.70 payment to the lighting contractor for recent work.

The budget has little change from current levels, officials said Monday.

The committee that drafted the budget focused on capping spending and rebuilding reserves.

"We have no major projects for next year," said Council Member David Goodroe. "We're finishing up the waste water treatment plant and the library/community center building. The reserves have been depleted.

"We don't anticipate curbing any services. Our goal was to maintain services as best we can while building reserves. You can't run a town with only $120,000 in reserves."

The budget passed for its first reading. Final action will come at the council's December meeting.

Mayor Jacobson cautioned that the town is headed toward a fiscal cliff in 2020 with the costs of maintaining and operating its water and sewer utilities.

Revenue to run the systems is supposed to come from ratepayers.

Jacobson said the town will have a study done on utility rates and look for more equitable ways to charge for the services.

The system needs more users, he said.

One possibility is to annex areas such as Greenwood Hill and the Rosedale area, he said.

The town hosted a meeting November 10 to discuss rate issues, but it was poorly attended, Jacobson said. Another workshop will be scheduled.

In other business:

--Cathlamet resident Brian McClain voiced displeasure with the process used to hire a part-time worker for the Public Works Department.

The position wasn't posted or advertised, he said, and he, who had interned with the department at one point, would liked to have applied for the job.

Jacobson took responsibility for the process.

"It's my fault," he said.

He and council members noted that the position is temporary and subject to a probationary period.

"You're certainly welcome to bring your resumé by the office," he said.

--Cathlamet resident Craig Brown proposed the town install a charging station for electric carts that senior citizens and disabled persons use to move around town.

The council discussed the pros and cons and agreed to look into the matter. Council Member Hannah Booth Watts said she would get an estimated cost from an electrician for the next meeting.

 

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