The Items Proposed To Be Cut From City Of Everett Budget In 2021

Wednesday night the Everett City Council got a briefing on the 2021 budget from the City of Everett administration. Among the topics was a list of “Balancing Options” that are under consideration to reduce the City of Everett 2021 budget by $15 million dollars. Many of these actions were taken earlier this year to reduce the 2020 expenditures. For 2021 the list starts anew so if there is something on this list you want to save in 2021 the Administration would like to know specifically what other city service to cut in order to save what is presented below. The council was told the input needs to be given to the administration within the next two weeks. September 2nd is the next public council meeting where a budget discussion is scheduled. September 16th the Mayor will deliver her budget message plus revenue and expenditure workshop. The City Council will hold public hearings and work on the budget in October and November. Here’s the list presented to City Council.

Council Contingency $50,000

Administration labor & M&O reductions $676,044

Streets labor & M&O reductions $532,484

Reduce street overlay budget for loss of car tab revenue $1,500,000

Police reorganization & labor reduction $162,166

Reduce Jail budget $600,000

Reduce contribution to Fund 126 Vehicle Replacement $1,100,000

Community, Planning, & Economic Development labor reductions $565,887

Engineering labor reductions $181,610

Facilities labor reductions $254,057

Communications labor reductions $171,289

IT/Telecommunications labor reduction $109,750

Legal Department labor reductions $330,494

Municipal Court M&O reduction $10,000

Finance labor reductions $19,303

Increase budgeted vacancies from 18 to 28 $1,114,960

Eliminate Safe Streets Work Crew Program $112,750

Human Needs funding reduction $225,400

Library Re-Org/ Labor, M&O, and programmatic reductions $950,000

Cultural Arts labor & events funding reduction $267,864

Recreation Program eliminations (Classes, Animal Farm, Day Camps, etc.) $565,500

Eliminate general fund support of Jetty Island 184,098

Forest Park Swim Center closure $490,026

Senior Center transition to Non-City funding operating model $555,630

Annual Color Flower Program elimination $347,636

Suspend LEOFF 1 Pension prefunding $3,886,000

Total $ 14,962,948

The city has put together a section for the 2021 budget on their website where citizens can find information and see how to give input. Some food for thought as the presentation wrapped up.

• If one or more balancing options are rejected, what alternative cuts would be suggested?
• Will the pandemic continue to impact programs we are allowed to provide in 2021?
• If circumstances change for the better, Council can amend the budget at any time.