Council passes 2012’s $5.8 million budget
January 6, 2012
After a six-month process from its July budget retreat to final adoption, the Newcastle City Council voted to unanimously pass its 2012 budget Dec. 6.
But many members of the council said they won’t start patting themselves on the back anytime soon.
“I still encourage the Finance Committee and council to look to the long-term solution of how we’re going to be a viable city,” Councilwoman Carol Simpson said. “This was a good Band-Aid again … I still think we still have a lot of work cut out for ourselves in the next four years to put ourselves on track.”
The budget includes funding for several projects at Lake Boren Park and maintains the parks manager position held by Michael Holly, who faced an uncertain future after the council directed city staff to suggest positions and/or services that could be reduced.
“It’s a good budget. It’s a responsible budget,” Deputy Mayor Steve Buri said. “We have done an awful lot of cutting over the last three years, and I think most of the residents are pleased that those cuts have come without serious reductions in service.”
The city’s projected revenue for 2012 sits at about $5.8 million — an increase of about $147,700 from the preliminary budget released in October. Some of that increase includes money from the council’s Nov. 15 decision to cover the city’s anticipated $61,000 shortfall between revenue and expenditures for 2012 in part by taking an allowable 1 percent increase in property tax.
Residents can expect the city’s portion of their property taxes to increase an additional $11 next year for a $516,000 home — the typical home price in Newcastle as assessed by King County.
City revenue on the rise, but still below normal
May 6, 2011
The city’s revenue in the first quarter of this year is better than it was last year, which is indicative of a slow economic recovery, at least in the area of development and sales tax revenue, city Finance Director Christine Olson said.
The city has collected $1.45 million in revenue so far this year, which accounts for 24 percent of the $5.95 million budgeted in the general fund for the year. The city has spent $1.44 million so far, which accounts for 23 percent of the $6.38 million budgeted in the general fund for the year.
Olson said $6.38 million is likely higher than what the city will pay out of the general fund for the year, as other city funds will reimburse some expenses.
Sales tax collections for the year are at 19 percent of what was budgeted for the year, which is about 4 percent below what is typically collected in the first quarter. By the end of the year, that could amount to a $31,000 shortfall in sales tax revenue.
Olson said expenses from the city’s contract with the King County Sheriff’s Office could be higher than expected for 2010. When the city’s officers are sick or on vacation, the city must pay to have an additional officer fill in temporarily, and the exact cost of that can often be hard to predict. The city will pay for the 2010 overtime this year.
Council approves Rob Wyman as city manager
October 4, 2010
The City Council approved City Manager Rob Wyman’s contract at its Sept. 21 meeting.
Wyman was hired as interim city manager in January, and the council chose to hire him as the permanent city manager Aug. 31.
As decided by the council at the Aug. 31 meeting, Wyman will receive an annual salary of $110,000, and he will not receive a raise of any sort without the approval of the council. The council will review his performance at least once per year.
Council names interim manager Rob Wyman as new city manager
August 31, 2010
BREAKING NEWS — 8:12 p.m. Aug. 31, 2010
The City Council hired interim City Manager Rob Wyman as its permanent city manager Aug. 31 by a 6-1 vote with Councilman Sonny Putter dissenting. The decision came after a one-hour executive session discussing the final four candidates for the position with recruiter Greg Prothman.
Wyman’s salary will be $110,000 per year with benefits, and he will not be entitled to severance pay if he is fired from the job. However, he would be entitled to four months severance pay if he relocates to Newcastle, as he lives in Seattle. He also will not receive compensation for his commute, as former City Manager John Starbard had.
Wyman’s final contract will be approved at a council meeting in September.
Read more
Newcastle City Manager John Starbard fired
February 4, 2010
Former community development director named as replacement
John Starbard
Rob Wyman
At a special City Council meeting Jan. 12, the council voted 6-1 to terminate City Manager John Starbard’s contract without cause, effective immediately. The only dissenting vote was Councilman Sonny Putter.
Talks began in December regarding new city manager
February 4, 2010
Talks regarding firing City Manager John Starbard and appointing former Community Development Director Rob Wyman as interim city manager began privately in December.
While councilmen-elect John Dulcich, Bill Erxleben and Rich Crispo said they had been in favor of making changes to the city’s management, Erxleben specifically sought out Wyman in December as a candidate for interim city manager. Read more
