The total 2005/2006 City of Bothell budget is $123,716,915, which includes $6,410,441 in operating transfers.

Transfers include movement of money between City funds for asset replacements and insurance, charges to the City’s enterprise funds and administrative operations. The 2005/2006 General Fund budget is a balanced spending plan with biennium forecasted revenue matching the biennium expenditure request.

The General Fund supports most of the City’s basic services, including community development, engineering, general administration, parks, planning, public safety (Police and Fire) and recreation.

It is almost wholly funded by revenues from various taxes such as retail sales, property, and utility taxes.

“City staff worked diligently to plan and develop the 2005/2006 biennium budget in a timely manner,” said Interim City Manager Manny Ocampo. “The City Council put in many hours of analysis and review during the past three months. We applaud their efforts in passing a balanced City budget.”

2005/2006 budget highlights include, but are not limited to:

• A $32.6 million appropriation for completion of a number of major capital projects, including SR 524, SR 527 to 9th Avenue SE, North Creek Trail, 102nd Avenue NE Bridge rehabilitation, NE 180th Street/132nd Avenue NE traffic signal and replacement of Blyth Park’s large shelter, all funded by various federal, state and local grants, dedicated funding sources and transportation mitigation monies. The $32.6 million is part of an aggressive six year (2005 to 2010), $84 million Infrastructure Investment Program (IIP).
• Sanitary sewer utility rates will increase 9 percent or approximately $3.50 per month due primarily to increases in treatment costs from King County; Storm/surface water will increase 1.8 percent or approximately 3 cents; Solid Waste Collection (Garbage) will increase 1.26 percent or approximately 34 cents and Street Lighting will increase 1.8 percent or approximately 3 cents.
• Providing law enforcement officers with updated replacement protective equipment including service firearms and portable digital 800 MHz radios;
• Conducting targeted enforcement efforts in the SR 527 and SR 522 corridors, with the goal to reduce traffic collisions by 10 percent;
• Completing construction and grand opening of Cedar Grove Park and Park at North Creek.

The 2005/2006 General Fund budget maintains current service levels and is balanced without using City reserves.

City of Bothell 2005/2006 biennium budget copies are available for review at Bothell City Hall (18305 101st Avenue NE), Bothell Regional Library (18215 98th Ave NE), and on-line at www.ci.bothell.wa.us.