city of spokane 2016 budget priorities
DESCRIPTION
City of Spokane 2016 Budget Priorities1. Public Safety – Improving community safety• Continue implementation of precincts as part of community-oriented policing with input from Council and public regarding placement and deployment of resources.• Continue participation and joint funding of Spokane County Regional Criminal Justice Commission; while ensuring balanced community participation.• Sustain COPS program funding at 2015 level. • Implement operational and budget strategies to reduce overtime costs in police and fire.• Ensure a training budget for new Police Ombudsman and Police Ombudsman Commission.• Develop a strategy for sustainable funding for twelve (12) new firefighter positions; I.E., such as setting aside reserves for out years after SAFER grant expires, or other dedicated revenue options.• Explore new state law allowing medicare/Medicaid emergency transport to create new funding stream for fire safety, including a portion ear-marked for training.• The Spokane Municipal Court proposes to commence the process of instituting foundational elements of the High Performance court best practices model, as outline by the National Center for State Courts. See: High Performance Court Framework: http://www.ncsc.org/Information-and-Resources/High-Performance-Courts.aspx• Establish personnel and infrastructure elements to allow improved service delivery to other agencies and the community at large:• Assume responsibility for the financial qualification of applicants for City Public Defender services:2. Jobs and Economic Growth – Supporting sustainable, targeted growth and economic opportunity • Provide ongoing administrative support for the Northeast PDA and U District PDA.• Approve additional development incentives for Downtown Spokane and other targeted growth areas, as well as focus planning efforts in these areas.• Fund three (3) additional positions in planning to address critical issues such as downtown planning, updating codes and policies to support targeted investment, and long-range annexation planning.• Set aside additional $21,000 for planning in the newly-formed Shadle Park/Loma Vista neighborhood.• Fund integrated projects in the East Sprague Targeted Investment Pilot area; sustain funding for staff support and provide data and performance measures to justify funding the next selected TIP area.• Set aside at least $50,000 for economic development work in our key business Centers and Corridors (same as 2015 budget).• Ensure continued funding for compliance employees for Apprenticeship utilization requirements and other City regulations, as necessary.• Support the development of a Port District in Spokane region.3. Budget – Promoting fiscal health and budget accountability and transparency• Work with administration and public to identify performance measures that link to Council’s Budget Priorities and the City’s Comprehensive Plan.• Annual rate of Library budget increase to match 2.5% increase in General Fund revenue to ensure fiscal preparedness for when the current Library levy expires. Also, support the creation of a Library budget task force to assist in ensuring the long-range financial sustainability of the Library system.4. Infrastructure -- Maintaining and improving public infrastructure in an affordable and integrated fashion• Continue funding CSO implementation with goal of meeting 2017 permit deadline with no more than 2.9% utility rate increases.• Dedicate resources within the Utilities budget to develop a strategic plan to eliminate unintended water loss in our City Water System.• Include funding for signage & monuments honoring the Spokane Tribe in Spokane River stormwater/CSO projects. • Budget for roof replacement at the South Side Library and new carpeting at the Downtown Library.• Set aside a minimum of $200,000 for City Hall Council Chambers upgrades.• Prioritize capital funding for Cincinnati Street and South Hill Greenway construTRANSCRIPT
City of Spokane 2016 Budget Priorities
1. Public Safety Improving community safety Continue implementation of precincts as part of community-oriented policing with input from Council and public regarding placement and deployment of resources. Continue participation and joint funding of Spokane County Regional Criminal Justice Commission; while ensuring balanced community participation. Sustain COPS program funding at 2015 level. Implement operational and budget strategies to reduce overtime costs in police and fire. Ensure a training budget for new Police Ombudsman and Police Ombudsman Commission. Develop a strategy for sustainable funding for twelve (12) new firefighter positions; I.E., such as setting aside reserves for out years after SAFER grant expires, or other dedicated revenue options. Explore new state law allowing medicare/Medicaid emergency transport to create new funding stream for fire safety, including a portion ear-marked for training. The Spokane Municipal Court proposes to commence the process of instituting foundational elements of the High Performance court best practices model, as outline by the National Center for State Courts. See: High Performance Court Framework: http://www.ncsc.org/Information-and-Resources/High-Performance-Courts.aspx Establish personnel and infrastructure elements to allow improved service delivery to other agencies and the community at large: Assume responsibility for the financial qualification of applicants for City Public Defender services:2. Jobs and Economic Growth Supporting sustainable, targeted growth and economic opportunity Provide ongoing administrative support for the Northeast PDA and U District PDA. Approve additional development incentives for Downtown Spokane and other targeted growth areas, as well as focus planning efforts in these areas. Fund three (3) additional positions in planning to address critical issues such as downtown planning, updating codes and policies to support targeted investment, and long-range annexation planning. Set aside additional $21,000 for planning in the newly-formed Shadle Park/Loma Vista neighborhood. Fund integrated projects in the East Sprague Targeted Investment Pilot area; sustain funding for staff support and provide data and performance measures to justify funding the next selected TIP area. Set aside at least $50,000 for economic development work in our key business Centers and Corridors (same as 2015 budget). Ensure continued funding for compliance employees for Apprenticeship utilization requirements and other City regulations, as necessary. Support the development of a Port District in Spokane region.3. Budget Promoting fiscal health and budget accountability and transparency Work with administration and public to identify performance measures that link to Councils Budget Priorities and the Citys Comprehensive Plan. Annual rate of Library budget increase to match 2.5% increase in General Fund revenue to ensure fiscal preparedness for when the current Library levy expires. Also, support the creation of a Library budget task force to assist in ensuring the long-range financial sustainability of the Library system.4. Infrastructure -- Maintaining and improving public infrastructure in an affordable and integrated fashion Continue funding CSO implementation with goal of meeting 2017 permit deadline with no more than 2.9% utility rate increases. Dedicate resources within the Utilities budget to develop a strategic plan to eliminate unintended water loss in our City Water System. Include funding for signage & monuments honoring the Spokane Tribe in Spokane River stormwater/CSO projects. Budget for roof replacement at the South Side Library and new carpeting at the Downtown Library. Set aside a minimum of $200,000 for City Hall Council Chambers upgrades. Prioritize capital funding for Cincinnati Street and South Hill Greenway construction.5. Quality of Life Engaging citizens and improving the health, quality and character of our community Maintain funding for the Arts at 2015 levels. Continue to fund Human Services (pure human service grant funding) in an increasing amount of $50,000 per year (end goal of 1% of GF); $100,000 over 2014 budget levels; $50,000 over 2015 levels. Direct CHHS Board to set aside at least $100,000/year in dedicated funding to maintain basic capital needs at the Citys Community Centers. Dedicate $85,000 toward homeless outreach coordination in the CHHS budget.
Revised Recd 5-1-2015