What Would You Cut From Everett’s Budget? Public Meeting Thursday

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson

Mayor Stephanson is asking for public involvement to make tough budget decisions.

Should the Everett Library merge with Sno-Isle? How many jobs handled by police officers should be turned over to civilians? Is the city spending too much on consultants? Should new taxes be placed on cable TV and trash collection? Those are a few of the questions people of Everett can weigh in on as the city decides how to close a multimillion dollar budget gap. After presentations to the city council during the month of April, the city administration is taking their budget briefings on the road. Two community meetings to discuss options for balancing Everett’s budget are set for Thursday May 8th and Tuesday May 13th.

“We are working with council members, the community and city staff to develop options to balance our budget for the long term,” said Mayor Ray Stephanson. Everett currently faces a deficit of $13 million in 2015, which will grow to $21 million by 2018 if no adjustments are made.

In December 2013, Stephanson assembled a group of senior staff to research and evaluate potential actions city leaders could take to balance the budget. The list of options has been discussed at a series of council briefings in April.

The two meetings in May will allow community members to learn more about the budget gap Everett faces and options under consideration by city leaders, including specific expense-reduction and revenue-adjustment ideas. Community members will also have the chance to ask questions and share feedback. Both meetings will run from 5:30-8 p.m., with a presentation at 6 p.m. and small-group discussions at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting details:

Thursday, May 8, 5:30-8 p.m.

Evergreen Middle School Cafeteria

7621 Beverly Lane

Tuesday, May 13, 5:30-8 p.m.

Wilderness Auditorium, Jackson Conference Center, Everett Community College

2000 Tower Street

You can click here to see the various presentations made to the Everett City Council as well as the study options and other materials.

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