Updated: Evergreen Hospital Levy Projections and Update

Evergreen Hospital Commission Public Meeting Room is located in the hospital.  Photography and video-taping during meetings is forbidden by the Commission's lawyer.  

The Proposed 2011 Budget was presented in this Tuesday's Commission meeting: 

• The 5 commissioners listened to Finance Director Yamada's report on the 2011 Preliminary Budget. It is still not known when the Public Hearing will be held when community viewpoints can be voiced. 
• Ms Yamada budgeted for a $699,245 (18%) increase  in "Levy for Operations" in 2011 over prior year.   The proposed 2011 Net Operating Fund is $428,302,036 with a Net Operating Gain of $2,940,851 (allocated to the Capital Fund).   
• Total Net Gain (counting tax and investment revenue) is:  $15,009,440. 

Finance Director Yamada said on 9/21 "She was happy to report that the district is ahead of budget and due to aggressive cost controls, is experienced a positive margin despite lower-than-budgeted volumes."

The Evergreen Hospital District Retirement Plan Draft Resolution 835-10 was studied this Tuesday: 

• The District will match 4% of compensation to Key Executives PLUS 4% of Compensation in excess of Social Security Wage Base towards retirement.
• The District will match 6% of bi-weekly Compensation for Physicians and supervisors towards retirement.  This is a reduction from 8% matching funds (7/1/2005 - 1/1/2011). 
• All other Active District Participants will continue to receive up to 4% matching retirement funds. 

News from October 5, 2010 Minutes :

• "VP Medical Affairs, Dr. Mitch Weinberg,*  has decided to resume his pediatric practice full time and thus has resigned effective October 15."   Per Freedom of Information's Act, the part-time position paid a salary of $299,334.54 in 2008 (includes $55,606.54 incentive bonus).  This was a 75% part-time position. 
• CEO Rob Malte introduced Jason Dick as the new "Major Gifts Officer" for the Evergreen Foundation.  
• Plans for the Leadership Retreat (Commissioners & Executives) were almost complete.  The goal is to "deal with proactive planning for health care reform.".  The retreat location wasn't noted.   
• Dr. Jeff Tomlin* was welcomed as the new Chief Medical Officer. 

According to the Administration today, "the position of Vice President for Medical Affairs (VPMA)*, formerly held by Dr. Mitch Weinberg, will not be replaced.  Some of the VPMA responsibilities have been delegated to Dr. Jeff Tomlin in his role as Chief Medical Officer." (L. Burton).

This concludes my report.  Do you have any comments?  Evergreen Hospital is a Public Hospital supported in part by property tax levies.  A Public Hearing on the Budget and Levy is planned in the near future.  Would you like to know the Hearing date and location?

By Bob Yoder
Photo by Yoder (with approval of Sherry Grindeland, Evergreen Media/Marketing and under supervision by a Senior Planner)

Salary Commission asks: how do councilmembers see themselves - as citizen-councillors or paid professionals?

Redmond City Council

UDATED:  With direction from Council and in accordance with municipal code, the Mayor appointed  seven citizens to sit on a Salary Commission to decide if Council should get a raise.  Last night, I attended the third (of seven) Salary Commission meetings.  A public Hearing is scheduled for November 10.

It's been six years since Redmond's elected officials' compensation was reviewed.  In that time, the CPI has increased 16.5%.  Redmond city councilmembers are paid $10,500/year as part-time city employees and some receive health care benefits.  Each councilmember works an average about 90 hours/month.  Hourly pay is approximately $10.50/hour with no cell phone or milage allowance.  Some work a lot more, others less.  Most councilmembers have full or part-time jobs.   

Commissioner Mary Bourguignon raised a policy question:  "Are we to look at Redmond council as a "citizen-council" doing public service and paid an honorarium OR as salaried professionals, paid a pro-rated salary?

Commissioner Marilyn Rice asked, "Do we want to act as a small city"?  Commissioner Bourguigonon said she used to work for the City of Seattle City Council where the Mayor had a paid chauffeur as part of his automobile allowance.   Commissioner Rice asked:   "How does council view themselves"?   Commissioner David Chicks suggested the Reporter run a poll to engage the community on these questions, though concluded they are not statistically valid.

Commissioner Karin Duval started a discussion on the number of candidates participating in the last council election.  Commissioner Sally Chen said she and three councilmembers (Vache, Stilin, Allen) ran for council office in the last election.  Vache' and Stilin ran unopposed.   One commissioner asked why candidate turnout is so low.  Commissioner Randy Coggan bluntly concluded:   "Apathy".  Ms. Chen suggested younger candidates on lower incomes may be less likely to dive into a race. 

COLA's were discussed by committee facilitator, Kerry Seivers (HR Director).  Most cities use the CPI-W index to benchmark adjustments.  Redmond is one of the few cities using a more flexible and some might say more subjective "nonuniform index".  The city HR department includes some of the largest employers in the city and small businesses, along with municipalities in their index.  Commissioner Sherry Sanders asked if LWSD salaries were included in the nonuniform index.  Ms. Seivers' immediate response was "yes" and then changed it to something less.  Ms. Sanders indicated LWSD shouldn't be included in the nonuniform index. 

The CPI-W increased 16.5% since council's last 2004 pay adjustment.  How will the Salary Commission keep Council's COLA uniform with the rest of Redmond's city workers?  CPI-W appears the only constant.    

The Salary Commission is holding a public Hearing on Wednesday, November 10 in the City Hall Council Conference Room (1st floor).  Public is invited to address the Commissioners and staff.   The Mayor's compensation will be reviewed later this year by Council in open Hearings.

Reported by Bob Yoder
This is my first report on the Salary Commission and I am unfamiliar all the commissioners and their names.

Reporter story of the LWSD overcrowding needs clarification

Bob Yoder

OPINION:  "Reporter story on the LWSD overcrowding needs clarification"  By Bob Yoder

I think Mary Decker's October 6 story "Parents weigh in on overcrowding issue" is very well written,  except for a couple omissions, as follows:

1)  Error & Omission:   Two new District Superintendents (Pierce & Vaille) attended and participated in the October 6 input session.  The Reporter omitted them.

This summer Superintendent Chip Kimball initiated significant organizational changes to the District administration.  (see my earlier post).  One change, was to promote Dr. Traci Pierce to Deputy Superintendent of School Instruction and move Dr. John Vaille to Assistant Superintendent of Technology.  Pierce and Vaille now report directly to Superintendent Dr. Kimball rather than to Deputy Superintendent Janene Fogard.  Janene is now freed up to direct Administrative operations.  Dr. Pierce, Dr. Vaille, and Barbara Posthumus actively participated in this vibrant October 9th input session.  Their participation was absent in last year's feeder school and levy input sessions. 

2)  Clarification:  Not one School Board member attended  or participated in the Oct. 6 input meeting.  The Reporter omitted this.  When a parent questioned how LWSD planned to "advertise" its desire for community support for more funding, Fogard noted, " The district can only provide information.  It can not spend money to promote its agenda."  [Reporter]

What wasn't said is:  the School Board IS authorized to promote the agenda, so why weren't they there?  Board members Ravi Shahanni, Chris Carlson, and Nancy Bernard missed all three overcrowding input meetings.  Our Community needs the full support and participation of our School Board members if future levy and bonds are to pass.  Last year is a perfect lesson.

School Board members advertise and promote their candidacy to voters when they're up for re-election; why can't give the same level of support to our schools during bond and levy elections?

Opinion By Bob Yoder

UPDATED: Redmond City Council Will Vote To Confirm Salary Commission Appointments

UPDATED, 10/5 -  By Consent Agenda, tonight, 10/5, the Council silently voted unanimously "aye" to confirm the Salary Commission appointments.

In the October 5 City Council Meeting, Council will vote to confirm the appointments of seven citizens to an "independent Salary Commission." The Commission is charged with reviewing Council’s $850/month salary and benefits “to determine if an adjustment is needed.”  Council member Richard Cole estimates each council member works significantly more than ~672 hours/year.  2004 was the last time Council’s compensation was reviewed. What initial thoughts do you have?

Fifteen citizens applied for the seven-member Salary Commission, in response to city advertisements this September 2 - 24.  Senior council member Richard Cole wrote:

"We (council) have agreed that each council member will pick one person. The names will go to the Mayor who will make the appointment. The council will still have a confirmation vote just like the other commissions. There will be seven commissioners".

It is not known at this time which council member picked which candidate. According to document AM-No.10 194  the following citizens are appointed by the Mayor:  Mary Bourguignon, Sally Chen, David Chicks, Rand-Scott Coggan, Karin Duval, Marilyn Rice, Sheri Sanders.   It's expected commissioners will begin their work mid-October with a decision by December 1, 2011.

The Mayor’s compensation will be reviewed this year, as well, but not by the Salary Commission.  READ MORE >>

Residential Neighborhoods Are Subsidizing Stormwater Costs of Private Developments

UPDATED:  The Redmond Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is many things to many people.  DNR is division of Public Works, the largest department in the city.  Our utility bill pays for DNR's stormwater management costs and if you didn't notice, our rates have increased dramatically over the past few years.

Council recently held a study session on our Utility rates.  Council was pleased with the value DNR brings to sustainability of our environment; however, Councilman Cole complained Redmond has the #1 stormwater rate in the area.  For example, Bellevue's stormwater rate is less than half our rate.

Much of our high rate is attributable to a grandiose plan to build spend  $90,000,000 on two regional stormwater facilities - in Overlake and Downtown.   Commercial and high rise development costs will be significantly less since they will not have to build their own facilities or use their land.   Council, obviously pro-business, decided several years ago that the residential rate-payer would front most of these facilities costs, including the very high cost of  land acquisition.

LWSD Seeks Comment on 2010-11 Budget Proposal

Barbara Posthumus is addressing the School Board and public during a June Work Study Session

At the June 21 Board of Directors meeting, Barbara Posthumus, Coordinator of Business Services, presented the draft budget for the Lake Washington School District for the next school year. Characterized as a “no cuts, no adds” budget, there were no major changes in programs funded for next year. However, the district would like to hear from parents and community members.

The draft budget has been posted on the school district’s website at http://www.lwsd.org/  since late June. Public comment on the draft budget is invited: community members can e-mail publiccomment@lwsd.org  or write to the district at P.O. Box 97039, Redmond, WA 98073-9739. The board of directors will hold a public hearing on the budget at its August 9 meeting, which will take place at 7 p.m. at the district’s Resource Center, 16250 NE 74th St., Redmond. Public comments will also be welcomed at that meeting.

A total of 342 more students enrolled in the district in 2009-10 than expected. The proposed budget for 2010-11 accounts for that increase and an additional 89 students expected, for a total of 431 more than last year’s budget planning. Since basic education funding from the state is provided on formula based on the number of students, the district’s revenue will increase accordingly. A 12% increase in the number of students in the special education program also triggered some additional funds to help pay for those services, although these services are not fully funded by the state.

The state legislature changed the formula that limits how much money the district can raise through local levy dollars. With this temporary higher levy cap and the amounts approved by voters in last February’s election, the district will be able to collect more in local levy dollars next year, for an increase of about $4.5 million.

Comprehensive Update on LWSD Administration and School Board - including salaries, public access, the budget, & elections

School is out for the summer and the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors have suspended their meetings for seven weeks.  But, there is still much to report!

Open This Link to find the following: 

• Participate at the August 9 Board meeting (7pm) when the Final Budget will be proposed (and approved). 
• Learn what we pay LWSD administrators - from the Chiefs to the Coordinators. 
• How do you run for School Board?   Three district terms end in 2011. 
• and much more... 

Report & opinion by Bob Yoder

Kirkland and Sammamish are lukewarm to a community aquatic center

Prior to the closing of  Hartman Pool on June 18, Redmond City council had been actively seeking a city partner for funding a community aquatic center.  

During joint meetings with Kirkland council on May 28 and Sammamish council on June 8, Redmond floated the idea of creating a new taxing district to fund a community aquatic center.  Kirkland staff estimated a new aquatics facility would cost between $42-46.5 million.

According to the Kirkland Reporter:   Councilmember Allen said the Redmond pool was "on life support" and that recommended economies of scale between Kirkland and Redmond could pencil out.   Redmond City Councilmember Pat Vache' felt that, "Trying to combine parks departments would create all sorts of complications that we are not even thinking about," saying "Cities have different philosophies on how to run their parks."  Another issue of combining the city's Parks departments would be existing funding.  Mayor Marchione wasn't present at the Kirkland meeting. 

According to the Sammamish Review:  Council members in Sammamish grappled over the question of why citizens would want to tax themselves for a new facility when they could wait for a neighboring city to build one and go use it.  While the Sammamish council said they’d keep the idea in mind as discussions continue, their response was lukewarm.   "Read More" for my comments:

UPDATED: Lake Washington School District makes changes to three feeder schools to handle growth.

Lake Washington School District Makes Changes to Handle Growing Student Population - Lake Washington School District:

Dr. Kimball decides to change the District school configuration and shift three elementary school feeder patterns.

Lake Washington School District is growing, by the equivalent of one elementary school a year for the next five years. The district has looked at alternatives to house this boom in student population and made two decisions to use its current school building space more efficiently, effective 2012-13.  The School Board last night approved  Dr. Kimball's decision to:  1)  change its school grade configuration and 2) shift  three elementary school feeder patterns.  Says Kimball: 

“If we don’t make any changes, we will need over 100 portable classrooms at the elementary level and about 28 at the secondary level to house the expected enrolment and to provide space for all-day kindergarten in the next five years,” noted Dr. Kimball. “Changing feeder patterns reduces the need at the secondary level. I know it will be a difficult change for families who have expectations and connections to specific schools but we have to find the most efficient ways to use our current space and this is one of them. Changing the grade configuration will make another large difference.”

Three changes in feeder patterns are planned, to coincide with the 2012-13 grade configuration change:

Bell Elementary will feed into Finn Hill Junior High and Juanita High School, instead of Kirkland Junior High and Lake Washington High School.

Audubon Elementary will feed into Rose Hill Junior High and Lake Washington High School instead of Redmond Junior High and Redmond High School.

These changes effectively shift population westward, from Redmond High through Lake Washington High to Juanita High School.

In addition, Einstein Elementary students will shift from Evergreen Junior High to Redmond Junior High but will still go on to Redmond High School."

The 2012 - 2013 grade reconfiguration will be:  a change to K-5 elementary, 6-8 middle school and 9-12 high school.   The reconfiguration will shift one grade out of the elementary schools where space is already tight and move the population to the secondary schools, where more space is available.   In Dr. Kimball said at the May 3 School Board meeting he doesn't know how to accommodate the space needs of the high schools and listed three options - capital levys and capital bond and a portable re-design.

Read the entire LWSD website news release.  

A link to this posting was published in the May 5 Seattle Times online edition under "Redmond Neighborhood News" (LOCAL). 

Posted By Bob Yoder
Source:  LWSD website on May 4
including the May 3, 2010 School Regular School Board Meeting video.
LWSD Slide Show

"Lake Washington School District Will Not Cut Next Year’s Budget
More local levy dollars will fill in for state cuts

Redmond, Wash. – While the final state budget, adopted yesterday, includes cuts to state funding of K-12 education, Lake Washington School District has analyzed the impact to its budget and determined that expected cuts will not be needed for the 2010-2011 school year.

The legislature’s local levy authority package as enacted will allow the district to collect enough in local levy dollars to make up for those state cuts. Because the budget will be flat for next year, the district will not hold budget input meetings this spring.

“We’ve gotten a reprieve,” noted Dr. Chip Kimball, superintendent. “I’m relieved that cuts ended up being less than anticipated in the proposed budget packages. However, I’m concerned about the state’s increasing reliance on local taxpayers to pay for what the state should provide, and am concerned about the loss of federal stimulus dollars in another year.”"

Excerpt from LWSD press release

Redmond plans to hire urban designers for BNSF rail corridor

Redmond hiring for master plan

By JOURNAL STAFF

REDMOND — The city of Redmond plans to hire a team of urban designers, engineers and others to draft a master plan for its part of the BNSF rail corridor.

The city is buying a nearly 4-mile spur of the corridor, which bisects downtown. It wants to find a way to develop the corridor so land on both sides is reconnected. It's anticipated the corridor will have light rail, a recreation trail, utilities, new road crossings and pedestrian connections.  story link

Daily Journal of Commerce
Seattle, WA. 
4/9/10

LWSD will not run the bond measure again this year

Community Survey Shows School District Support, Economic Concern - Lake Washington School District:

"In the February election, the Lake Washington School District bond measure reached a majority of yes votes but did not get the 60 percent supermajority needed to pass. As a result, the District commissioned a survey of district residents to explore concerns around the bond measure and attitudes about the school district. The good news is that those surveyed generally are impressed with the district. Residents cited concerns about the economy and taxes as the most likely causes for less support for the bond measure.

“Given the cost of running a bond or levy election, it’s critical that we know what our community thinks,” noted Dr. Chip Kimball (left), superintendent. “What we heard from district residents is that now is not the time to ask for money for school construction, even though in general residents are very positive about the district. As a result, we will not run the bond measure again this year but will look carefully at the most cost-effective alternatives for dealing with the student population that will be coming in the next few years.”"   Read full press release

###

According to an email by Kathryn Reith, LWSD Communications Director:  

400 LWSD residents were surveyed at random.  "Residents of the district were surveyed and we have many staff members who live in the district, so they may have been part of the survey but there is no way to tell.  It was done by an independent research company. Some of the questions in the survey are ones that this group has used over many years with other districts in the state while others are very specific to this situation, of course."

Is this 400 resident survey of value if it is not statistically significant?.  Almost 100,000 voters populate LWSD.  Was the taxpayer money spent on this survey worth it?  

By Bob Yoder

Photo by LWSD

All School District Budget Input Meetings Posponed Pending State Budget

Remainder of School District Budget Input Meetings Postponed Pending State Budget


Redmond, WA – Last week, Lake Washington School District postponed budget input meetings for March 16 and 17 pending determination of school funding in the state budget. The range of potential budget cuts for the district based on different proposals remains from no cut to as much as $15 million. There is still no word from Olympia on how state funding for Lake Washington School District will change next year. As a result, the budget input meetings scheduled for March 24 and 25 at Redmond High School and Eastlake High School also are being postponed.

The legislature continues to meet in an extended session and final budget numbers for K-12 education are still in limbo.

“We continue to wait for the numbers, from Olympia,” noted Deputy Superintendent of Operations Janene Fogard. “Once we know, we are prepared to move quickly.” Fogard noted that the district’s spring break takes place March 29-April 2. If the final state budget numbers translate into significant budget cuts for the district, meetings will most likely be scheduled during the weeks of April 5 and 12. An online input page will be open around the same period.

Information on a new schedule for these meetings will be posted on the district web site, http://www.lwsd.org/ as soon as it is available.

By Kathryn Reith, Communications Director
LWSD
March 22.

Public input will help determine budget cuts at LWSD

Public input will help determine cuts again this year

Redmond, WA – While the state legislature is still working on the state budget, indications are that K-12 public education will get even less money next year from the state. Estimates of the revenue loss for Lake Washington School District based on current proposals range from $3.6 million to $8.4 million. Cutting that much more from the district budget after last year’s $7.7 million reduction will be difficult.

“Last year’s process really helped us understand community priorities,” said Dr. Chip Kimball, superintendent. “I encourage all citizens, especially parents, to come and weigh in on what is most important for our school district.”

Meeting dates and times:
March 16 – Juanita High School, 7-9 p.m.
March 17 – Rose Hill Jr. High, 4-6 p.m.
March 17 – Lake Washington High School, 7-9 p.m.
March 24 – Redmond High School, 7-9 p.m.
March 25 – Eastlake High School, 7-9 p.m.

By Kathryn Reith, Communications Director, Lake Washington School District

Attend a Town Hall Meeting with our Legislators, Saturday, February 20.

Attend a Town Hall Meeting Sat. 20th with Our Legislators:

Letter by Byron Shultz, Redmond

The 32nd, 45th & 48th District legislators are hosting Town Hall Meetings for us on Saturday, Feb. 20, (11-1) at Crossroads Community Center and invite you to share your comments, questions and concerns about topics related to the Washington state Legislature. The events are free and open to all constituents.

The gatherings are an opportune time for education advocates - Legs have just 3 weeks left in the Session and are close to final decisions on advancing K-12 ed reforms, the budget, and other important votes for kids.

Those who show up drive their agenda - even if for just 15 minutes! Parents must show, say & play - plenty of vocal folks are asking for their interests to be served first before the kids'. Bringing just 1 question can make a difference!  (And we'll hear more about: The State Budget, Hwy 520 project, Sound Transit through Bellevue to Redmond.)

The 48th's Town Hall: Sen. Rodney Tom and Reps. Deb Eddy & Ross Hunter; the 48th includes parts of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, and all of the Points Communities.

Saturday, Feb. 20, 11:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m.
Crossroad Community Center at 16000, NE 10th St., Bellevue
(behind the old Circuit City building on the east south-east side of Crossroads Mall, at the end of the drive past the retirement center).

Lake Washington Schools Foundation Co-President asks you to renew an irreplaceable investment.

Our district has an enviable record of publicly involving the community in budget decisions, and for being transparent. The Lake Washington volunteer School Board and district administration have also demonstrated state-wide leadership in fiscal accountability. As the 6th largest district in Washington, LWSD ranks #2 out of the largest 15 districts on dollars per pupil spent on teaching while also being 2nd best at spending the least for central administration per student.

Local community leaders in every arena and industry, many of whom publicly endorse the school levies (readers can check with their organizations of choice for their outlook), join in asking your readers to renew an irreplaceable investment by us, each local voter, for our own futures by voting “Yes” to approve all three Lake Washington school measures on the Feb. 9th ballot.

Byron C. Shutz, Jr.
Co-President 2009-2010, Lake Washington Schools Foundation
Redmond, WA 98052
byron@byronshutzjr.org
http://www.byronshutzjr.org/

Editorial: Vote YES on Lake Washington School District's levies/bond.

Vote YES on Lake Washington School District levies/bond!

Editorial:  I'm going to vote YES for the school levies and bond this election because it's the right thing to do.  Number One:  schools are a great investment -- not just for our neighborhoods (and businesses needing a labor pool) but for our personal financial good health....more*

*The complete Editorial will be posted on my blog this weekend.  Will you be voting on Februray 9th? 

Information about the 2010 Lake Washington School District Levies and Bond is here.

By Bob Yoder
Editor, Redmond Neighborhood Blog

Eastside legislators talk 520 tolls, education and budget cuts

Eastside legislators talk 520 tolls, education and budget cuts

Education, budget cuts and tolls on the 520 bridge were front and center during a forum of more than 60 people with 48th District Washington State legislators at Kirkland City Hall Thursday.

Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Bellevue), Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina) and Rep. Deb Eddy (D-Kirkland) affirmed their commitment to hold on to funds for education that will be threatened by budget cuts, through the new legislative session that began Monday.

"We have to support education first," said Tom.  .... But it took three separate questions from audience members before the legislators got specific on what would be the first thing to be cut in education if the budget axe once again falls on schools.

"First thing we will cut out of k-12 is class size reduction money," said Hunter. "We are not going to start charter schools this year." (see complete story)

By MATT PHELPS
Kirkland Reporter Staff  Writer
Today, 1/11, 10:52 AM

The December 15 City Council Meeting is eventful and sets records.

In order of significance:

1. Nancy McCommick retired tonight after 24 years of service as a councilmember, 8 years as Council President, 6 years as planning commissioner.  She is currently on the Code Rewrite Commission. 
2. The Mayor read a Proclamation about Nancy, Nancy gave a check to the Mayor for the Downtown Park Foundation.  Richard Grubb faxed in a poem, a Safety Officer thanked Nancy during Items from the Audience, six councilmembers gave tribute (Vache' was absent), the RYPAC city youth group gave her a poster, and Parks Director read tributes from three citizens. Councilmember David Carson was dressed in a bow tie / tuxedo.
3. Council approved a record 20 consent agenda items, three salary ordinances (more on this later), a Rose Hill annexation ordinance and resolution.   Redmond's Poet Laureate was approved.   
4. "The Russians are coming"!   City Hall chambers were packed for the second time with the Russian community defending their Special Edition business park.  They said the Sears Parking Lot was a better location for the Overlake regional stormwater treatment facility.  Comment: ...a no brainer. 
5. Councilmember Hank Myers defended the city's 1% property tax levy increase.

Code Rewrite Commission:  http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/planning/RCDGrewrite.asp

by Bob Yoder

The City of Redmond admits some of the 2009 jobs they eliminated were funded by Microsoft.

It is not a surprise to anyone that most government revenues have fallen in 2009 and it is no different for the City of Redmond.

This past summer, Redmond eliminated several temporary positions funded by the Microsoft Corporation when Microsoft discontinued its Redmond construction projects and exercised its option to terminate the funding agreement with the City. This fall, the City has made the difficult decision to eliminate several  more  positions in the Development Review division, due to a marked slowdown in development activity.

"Just as we did this past summer, the City continues to right-size its operations for the current economic conditions," states Mayor John Marchione. "While reducing positions is always done with very deliberate thought, we committed to this balanced approach to our finances during our 2008 budget deliberations."

"Through specific budget reductions, holding the line on expenditures and the one percent property tax increase provided for in the 2009/2010 budget, we are confident we can continue to honor our service and program commitments to the City's residents and businesses," states Redmond Council President Nancy McCormick.

The City of Redmond will begin planning for the 2011/2012 budget biennium early next year. As in 2008, residents and businesses will continue to play a role in confirming the City's budget and service priorities. For information about these next steps, contact the Mayor's office at 425-556-2101 or mayor@redmond.gov .

-- City Web Site, 12/5