Joan McGilton Defends New Burien Budget: ‘City Is Not Going Broke’

by Ralph Nichols The Burien City Council adopted its 2013-14 budget on a 4-3 vote last Monday night (Nov. 5). 

 Mayor Brian Bennett, Deputy Mayor Rose Clark, and Council members Joan McGilton and... [Read more]

Burien Council Adopts 2013-14 City Budget Monday Night

The Burien City Council adopted its 2013-14 budget on a 4-3 vote Monday night (Nov. 5). Mayor Brian Bennett, Deputy Mayor Rose Clark, and council members Joan McGilton and Gerald Robison voted yes. Council... [Read more]

City of Burien Holding Public Hearing on 2013-2014 Budget Monday, Oct. 22

The City of Burien announced Monday (Oct. 15) that it will hold a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, “for the purpose of receiving comments on the 2013-2014 Biennial Budget prior to its adoption.” “Citizens... [Read more]

Proposed Burien City Budget for 2013-14 Constrained by ‘Structural Deficit’

The front page of the city’s preliminary 2013-14 budget. Click image to download full PDF file. by Ralph Nichols Burien council members are reviewing a proposed city budget (download PDF here) that... [Read more]

LETTER: ‘City in Financial Difficulty’; ‘May Have Gone Into Reserve Fund’

Editor: It is my understanding that at this last Burien City Council meeting (9-24-12), it became apparent that the City of Burien is in financial difficulty. Not only does the City need to raise taxes... [Read more]

LETTER: ‘I Urge Any Resident that Cares About Fiscal Responsibility to Show Up’ to Monday Night Meeting

Dear B-Town: Last week the City Finance Dept. revealed that the Burien budget will be short approx. $800,000 for the years 2012 and 2013 due to reduced property values/revenues. The only option shown for... [Read more]

City of Burien Holding Public Hearing on 2013-14 Budget on Monday, Aug. 6

UPDATE 7/27/12: The City of Burien changed the start time of its public hearing for its 2013-2014 Biennial Budget to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 6. Originally the city said the start time was 6 p.m. This meeting... [Read more]

LETTER: ‘A Fiscal Wrench into the Affordability of Annexation at this Time’

Council Members, It has been reported that property tax revenue in Burien is down 8.8% for 2012 and revenues will be down another 4.5% in 2013. These figures are from the city of Burien’s finance... [Read more]

Burien Council to Look for Ways to Offset Tax Losses at Monday Meeting

Burien council members Joan McGilton, left, and Rose Clark. by Ralph Nichols Burien city council members will begin the laborious task of writing the city’s 2013-14 biennial budget at their monthly study... [Read more]

Burien City Council Prepares To Approve Adjustments To Biennial Budget

by Ralph Nichols Burien lawmakers are poised to approve adjustments to the city’s 2012 budget on Nov. 28, following a second public hearing on next year’s spending plan and property tax levy. The first... [Read more]

Burien Council To Review City Budget Tonight – With No Property Tax Increase

by Ralph Nichols There will be no property tax increase in Burien in 2012. The city earlier posted notice of a public hearing at tonight’s (Monday, Nov. 14) council meeting, soliciting comment on a possible... [Read more]

Burien City Councilmembers Ask For More Info On Annexation Financials

by Ralph Nichols Burien’s “special district partners” gave city councilmembers their appraisal Monday night (Sept. 12) of impacts a potential annexation of North Highline would have on affected fire,... [Read more]

City Manager Mike Martin Takes Responsibility for $500,000 Cost Overrun on Asphalt Overlay Project

by Ralph Nichols Burien’s recently completed asphalt overlay project ended with an estimated cost overrun of about $500,000. And, City Manager Mike Martin told The B-Town Blog Monday (Aug. 15), “We... [Read more]

Highline Schools Targets $2 Million In Cuts In Wake Of State Funding Shortfall

by Ralph Nichols Cutting $2 million from a public schools budget already pared down is no easy task. Cutting $4.5 million, with a new academic year just three months away, is even more daunting. Yet this... [Read more]

Burien Council Set To Approve 2011-2013 Biennial Budget Monday Night

by Ralph Nichols Burien City Council members are expected to approve tonight (Monday, Nov. 22) the city’s 2011-12 biennial budget along with the property tax levy for next year. The new general fund... [Read more]

“City In Good, Stable Financial Condition” As 2011-12 Budget Is Presented

by Ralph Nichols “The city is in good, stable financial condition” as work begins on Burien’s 2011-12 biennial budget, interim Finance Director Gary Coleman recently reported to council members. “We’re... [Read more]

City Of Burien Drives Through Political Potholes Over Road Repair Costs

by Ralph Nichols Remember the television commercials for Fram filters from the 1980s? A somber-faced mechanic, holding a dirty air or oil filter that should have been replaced 100,000 miles ago, would... [Read more]

Highline Schools Announces Budget Cuts For Next Year; Forums Scheduled

Highline Public Schools announced Thursday (April 1) that it will be cutting its budget by a projected $4.5 million for the 2010-11 school year due to a second consecutive year of declining state revenues.... [Read more]

REPORT: Seattle Will Not Try To Annex White Center Until At Least 2011

The Seattle Times is reporting that Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and the City Council have decided to delay an annexation of the White Center area until at least 2011 because paying for services there would... [Read more]

Burien Council Expected To Adopt Budget Amendments Monday Night

by Ralph Nichols Burien council members are scheduled to adopt tonight (Monday, Dec. 14) amendments to the city’s 2009-2010 biennial budget. The changes will adjust the 2010 budget to compensate... [Read more]

Burien’s Red Light Cameras On Track To Gross Over $654,000 In First Year, Nearly 3x Projected Revenue

by Scott Schaefer Burien’s four red light cameras have been up and running for about four months, and according to the city’s Oct. 22nd e-newsletter, they are averaging “around 540 infractions... [Read more]

Rally To Save Normandy Park’s Parks Is Sunday, Nov. 1st

In Normandy Park, Proposition #1 is aimed at creating a Metropolitan Park District, and, if passed, would take parks “off the chopping block” from closures and budget cuts, and create a revenue... [Read more]

Burien City Council Expected To Declare Opposition To I-1033 Tonight

by Ralph Nichols Burien City Council members are expected to declare tonight (Oct. 5) their opposition to Initiative 1033 – Tim Eyman’s latest attempt to reign in government spending revenue. At... [Read more]

Rally To Save White Center’s Evergreen Pool Is 5-7pm Tonight

There will be a “Save The Pool” rally tonight (Monday, Aug. 31st) from 5pm to 7pm at the Evergreen Pool, which is located at 606 SW 116th St in White Center. Dow Constantine, King County Councilmember... [Read more]