Issaquah City Council sets goals for 2012
June 21, 2011
Less than a month after gathering to brainstorm ideas for the coming year, City Council members set ambitious goals for 2012, including possible solutions for cash-strapped Lake Sammamish State Park, a more citizen-friendly budgeting process and a commission to address economic vitality.
The council OK’d the list June 6, and sent Mayor Ava Frisinger priorities for the months ahead. The decision represents the initial step in the process to shape the 2012 municipal budget. The unanimous decision came after council members met for a rare Saturday meeting May 14 to outline goals.
“In my view, these are a balanced set of goals that cover just about every aspect of city government,” Councilman Fred Butler said during the June 6 meeting. “There’s something in there for everyone.”
The list calls for the city to join with the DownTown Issaquah Association and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce to determine options for a structured parking study. Issues related to downtown parking — a headache during ArtWalk, Fenders on Front Street and other summertime events — emerged as the top priority at the retreat.
Mayor predicts ‘momentous year’ in State of the City speech
February 15, 2011
City is poised to complete long-term projects in coming months
Mayor Ava Frisinger offered a bold prediction for the year in the State of the City address last week.
“2011 will undoubtedly be a momentous year for Issaquah — one that will not only reinforce the importance of our day-to-day business, but will also celebrate our larger accomplishments,” she said during the Feb. 7 address.
The can-do speech highlighted projects scheduled for completion in the months ahead, including the city-coordinated zHome townhouses and a landmark effort to outline redevelopment in the 915-acre business district.
“2010 sets high expectations for this year, and I am confident that we can meet them,” Frisinger said. “Our list of goals for 2011 is extremely impressive and yet very feasible.”
The annual address — like the spring City Council goal-setting session and the autumn budget announcement — helps city leaders outline priorities for the public.
Frisinger used the speech to shine a spotlight on long-term efforts on track to mark milestones.
The city is poised to complete the long-running effort to preserve forested Park Pointe on Tiger Mountain soon.
Mayor highlights accomplishments in State of the City address
February 8, 2011
NEW — 10 a.m. Feb. 8, 2011
Mayor Ava Frisinger offered a bold prediction for the months ahead in the State of the City address Monday night.
“2011 will undoubtedly be a momentous year for Issaquah — one that will not only reinforce the importance of our day-to-day business, but will also celebrate our larger accomplishments, ” she said.
The can-do speech highlighted projects scheduled for completion in the months ahead, including the city-coordinated zHome townhouses and a landmark effort to outline redevelopment in the 915-acre business district.
Frisinger used the annual address to shine a spotlight on other long-term efforts.
City Council adopts lean budget for 2011
December 28, 2010
City Council members adopted the 2011 municipal budget in a unanimous decision Dec. 20.
The council endorsed the lean spending plan after months of deliberations. The budget did not include property tax or rate hikes. Read more
2011 municipal budget clears City Council hurdle
December 14, 2010
The trim 2011 city budget continues to inch closer from plan to reality.
City Council members offered another round of comments about the spending plan, and then — in a unanimous decision Dec. 6 — directed city staffers to prepare the formal budget ordinance for adoption. The council is scheduled to adopt the budget Dec. 20.
Discussion centered on the general fund — the $30.4 million budget piece used to fund police and fire services, community development and planning, parks and recreation, and municipal government.
“It’s a $30 million budget for the city of Issaquah, and I think people assume there’s a lot of money flying around,” Councilman Mark Mullet said. “When you’re actually in the meetings, it’s very impressive how everything does get analyzed down to that last decimal point.” Read more
2011 municipal budget clears City Council hurdle
December 8, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. Dec. 8, 2010
The trim 2011 city budget inched closer from plan to reality Monday night.
City Council members offered another round of comments about the spending plan, and then — in a unanimous decision — directed city staffers to prepare the formal budget ordinance for adoption. The council is scheduled to adopt the budget Dec. 20.
Discussion centered on the general fund — the $30.4 million budget piece used to fund police and fire services, community development and planning, parks and recreation, and municipal government.
“It’s a $30 million budget for the city of Issaquah, and I think people assume there’s a lot of money flying around,” Councilman Mark Mullet said. “When you’re actually in the meetings, it’s very impressive how everything does get analyzed down to that last decimal point.”
2011 city budget brings end to free bus rides
December 7, 2010
City highlights transportation upgrades in spending plan
The free ride could end for Route 200 bus riders next year.
City Council members plan to recommend for regular King County Metro Transit fares to be collected on the route.
Every dollar of property tax money is used by numerous local, regional and state agencies to fund services. Issaquah uses the dollars to fund police and fire services, parks and recreation, roads and municipal government. By Dona Mokin
Leaders intend for Route 200 fares to be used to help expand transit routes throughout the city and perhaps to Squak Mountain.
The recommendation and more than a dozen others outline a series of goals and initiatives in the 2011 municipal budget. Transportation — including the Metro Transit proposal and dollars for road upgrades — forms the basis of the plan.
The council is scheduled to adopt the spending plan Dec. 20.
The recession forced city leaders to slash spending and lay off employees late last year. The budget for the year ahead is not as austere as the most recent spending plan.
“The buzzword now is talking about resetting budgets, and I would say that this is a reset budget,” Mayor Ava Frisinger said. “It continues the resetting that was started in 2010.”
The council called for funds to be transferred from long-term road projects to pay for $530,000 in short-term street upgrades — dollars to fill potholes and apply fresh asphalt on trouble spots.
The fund for such street projects had been diminished to about $150,000 as leaders assembled the 2011 budget.
Press Editorial
December 7, 2010
Budget keeps service, reflects priorities
Last December, as the City Council pieced together a tight budget for 2010, Mayor Ava Frisinger described the spending plan as lean but not mean. The same could be said for the proposed 2011 budget expected to be passed Dec. 20.
The plan for the coming year is a reflection of residents’ priorities and council members’ goals. Though some of the ideas recommended by the council seem destined to wither before winter is over, the overall plan is smart.
The council spent a good deal of time discussing transportation, a critical issue in gridlocked Issaquah. Members’ recommendations to the mayor include a smart and savvy blend of transportation projects that can be completed in the near future.
Offer opinions on 2011 city budget at Monday council meeting
December 5, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 5, 2010
The free ride could end for Route 200 bus riders next year.
City Council members plan to recommend Monday for regular King County Metro Transit fares to be collected on the route.
The recommendation is part of the 2011 municipal budget. Residents can offer opinions about the budget at the 7:30 p.m. Monday council meeting. Members meet in the Council Chambers at City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way.
The meeting includes the final public hearing on the budget. The council is scheduled to adopt the spending plan Dec. 20.
Leaders intend for the Route 200 fares to be used to help expand transit routes throughout the city.
City Council decides against property tax hike for 2011
November 23, 2010
The anemic economy has prompted the City Council to decide against a property tax increase for 2011.
The unanimous decision holds the property tax rate at the 2008 level — or $1.38 per $1,000 in assessed value in property taxes.
The council followed a recommendation from Mayor Ava Frisinger to avoid a property tax hike for 2011. Members decided against the increase Nov. 15.
Frisinger proposed a $30.4 million general fund budget for next year — a slight increase from the $29.8 million general fund budget in 2010.
The general fund is used to pay for police and fire services, community development and planning, parks and recreation, and municipal government.
Money collected from property taxes accounted for almost a quarter of the general fund revenue in the 2010 budget.
Overall, Issaquah residents pay $10.80 per $1,000 in assessed value in property taxes to the Issaquah School District, King County, and numerous state and regional districts. The school district receives the largest slice — 44 percent.
