by Richard Uhlhorn
Transportation Plan
Public Works Director Jake Youngren told council members and other staff members that any decision on the proposed sales tax increase to form a TBD (Transportation Benefit District) in the City that any funds generated would have to be only used for transportation projects.
Youngren said that the City is making a dent in capital projects and remarked that there would be community input meetings. “What does the community want,” he asked?
Mayor Erin McCardle stated that the City has $4.5 million in City funding but stated, “If we wantto make progress we will need additional revenues.”
Budget Amendments
Jackie Tupling states that the primary purpose of budget amendments is to roll forward funding balances for capital projects approved by the City Council from prior years.
City Administrator Wade Farris said that Finance Director Jackie Tupling has worked hard on the City’s funding. “It is smaller than we thought,” said Farris. Tupling replied that for every $100 of property taxes collected, the City receives $12.26.
How your 2023 Property Tax is Allocated for every $100 collected
Property inside the City of Chelan:
Hospital District $2.11
Port General $2.30
Hospital No. 2 Bond $2.83
Hospital No. 2 EMS $3.87
Library District $3.93
Chelan County $10.21
City of Chelan general fund $12.26
Fire District #7 $12.44
Schools $47.82
Others:
Veteran’s Relief $0.17
Mental Health $0.24
Cemetery No. 4 $0.48
County Flood Control $0.57
Lake Chelan Sewer District 129 $0.77
City of Chelan Tax Revenue 2023:
Property Tax $2,895,964
Sales Tax $1,767,704
Utility Tax $1,143,616
Tupling stated that property taxes haven’t moved that much so far this year. Councilman Brad Chitty said that he thinks the estimated revenue is on the conservative side. Tupling replied that the City’s Capital Funds are considerably down and is very volatile. She presented the Council with 2024 budget amendments and said she asked department heads what their priorities are.
Six year Transportation Plan
Youngren commented that the Public Works construction projects never line up with their fiscal revenues. “We over estimate our projects and are carrying over $12,658,089,” said Youngren who added, “We are seeing more competition in our bids.”
The Public Works Department has a number of projects on the books that they have secured grants for including the following:
WSDOT Lakeside Trail Grant $3,001,931 secured
TIB Lakeside Trail Grant $ 500,000 secured
CDTC/STBG Sanders St. Pedestrian Improvements $ 709,092 secured
TIB Sanders St. Improvements Grant $ 100,000 secured
Ecology Stormwater Management Plan Grant $ 248,000 secured
TIB Bradley St. Pedestrian Improvements $ 163,800 secured
TIB Pavement Preservation grant $ 41,687 secured
GRAND TOTAL $4,764,510
Public Works projects that will be accomplished this year include:
The Apple Blossom Pedestrian Trail from Sargent Field to Apple Blossom Drive
Farnham/Webster Intersection Pedestrian Improvements
Bradley Street Pedestrian Crossing
Other workshop subjects:
The other subjects on the workshop agenda included the Parks Pros Plan and a discussion on AgriTourism. These will be written about separately.
All Things Lake Chelan 