by 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 for revenues that fell below projections in 2009 and are estimated to be lower than previously anticipated again next year.
Unless there is a late resolution in the dispute between Burien and King County over Puget Sound Park – none was reported as of late Friday afternoon (Dec. 11) – the budget amendments will not include revenues and expenses associated with annexation.
Council members have agreed not to set a date for annexing the southern part of the North Highline unincorporated area until the park dispute is settled.
When an agreement with the county is reached, the council will proceed with the annexation process. That timing will determine both the costs and income from annexation for the remainder of 2010, which then will be included in additional budget amendments.
The amended 2010 budget will be based in part on a property tax increase of 1 percent – the limit allowed by Initiative 747 – which was approved by council members on a 5-2 vote on Nov. 23.
With this increase, the average homeowner in Burien will pay an additional $3.83 in property tax next year.
Council members Gordon Shaw and Lucy Krakowiak opposed the 1 percent increase, which was adopted after the council declared a substantial need to exceed the limits of I-747 because neither inflation nor population grew at a rate above 1 percent.
