YAKIMA, Wash.- City Council has until November 21 to officially adopt the 2024 budget for the city of Yakima. While doing so, it also has to figure out a way to combat nearly a $4 million deficit in the general fund.
A presentation to the Council on October 10 from City Manager Roselyn Oglesby explained the situation. The general fund, which the city uses to pay the difference that revenue cannot cover, is on track to run out by 2027.
The year-to-date total for 2023 includes $73.5 million in total revenue and $77.1 million in expenditures. That leaves the general fund, sitting at $12.6 million, to cover the remaining $3.6 million.
To get the city on track, Oglesby has some ideas that she projects well.
“More to put it in a way for you is that we do not project that 2024 having to use any fund balance to balance that budget,” says the city manager.
The proposed budget for 2024 reads with $76.7 million in revenue and only $75.8 million in spending.
These projections include an admission tax, utility tax and a levy lid lift to meet the numbers.
The utility tax increase could raise the city’s income by almost $10 million dollars, while only costing the average household an extra $5.34 for water, wastewater and trash services each month. The stormwater utility tax increase would cost a homeowner $7.92, that is only due once a year.
A part of the money from the water taxes would go into the Aquatic Fund, which will help with the construction of the future MLK Jr. Park Pool, and upkeep of the Franklin and Lions Pools.
The admission tax would be added on to the price on entry at theatres, dance halls and other activities when admission is charged. The tax would be no more than 5% and the city can use the money wherever necessary.
Impact fees would cost developers of new properties to mitigate impacts from construction. The fee would have to be used by the city within 10 years.
City Council will have three public hearings, with two on November 7 and on November 21, before the final budget will be voted on.
With the time before the final vote, City Council members expressed their desire to hear from the community on the budget and how it would affect them.
“So many constituents and so many of us are dealing with a lot of financial fallout from COVID, just everything that’s happening in the world, and everything increasing that I think it’s really important that we get the information and feedback from our constituents,” said Councilmember Holly Cousens.
