Bellingham council members to consider tax increase

SAM TAYLOR - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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BELLINGHAM - City Council members are scheduled Monday, Nov. 9, to vote on a 1 percent property tax increase proposed by Mayor Dan Pike.

The increase was proposed as part of Pike's 2010 budget plan, which also includes tapping $1.8 million in general fund reserves to help close a gap between next year's expenditures and revenues.

The 1 percent increase amounts to $180,639 in new taxes that would be spread among all city taxpayers. New construction and property reassessments would add another $360,480 to tax rolls for a total property tax collection by the city of about $18.97 million next year.

For the owner of a $300,000 home, the 1 percent increase would amount to about an additional $6.18 more per year. For a $250,000 home, it would amount to about $5.15. The estimates are based on preliminary numbers from the Whatcom County Assessor's Office, said city Budget Manager Brian Henshaw.

The mayor has argued the tax increase is a necessary, responsible measure to help bolster the city's budget, along with taking reserves, as city officials also will have to cut about $28.3 million from the budget in 2009 and 2010.

Cuts have meant layoffs at the city and reduced hours in services, including Bellingham Public Library hours, as well a reduction in some programs provided by the city's Parks & Recreation Department. Pike also had to scale back plans for an increase to law enforcement staffing after his 2009 budget, passed by the council, included new officers to work as part of a neighborhood anti-crime team.

The new unit is up and running, but the city had to use current officers instead of new hires that had been proposed.

Pike's proposal for 2010 is a $187.8 million budget, 13.1 percent less than the 2009 proposed budget and brings the city back down to below 2006 budget levels.

IF YOU GO

What: City Council members are scheduled to vote on a 1 percent property tax increase.

When: 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9.

Where: Council chambers, City Hall, 210 Lottie St.

Have your say: Contacted City Council members at council@cob.org or call 778-8200.