FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2014
MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications,
gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Maria Lee, Media and Communications,
maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
City Launches New Microsite on Budget
and Begins Community Budget Input Meetings Today
The City of Tacoma has launched a microsite which provides information on how its budget is structured and offers updates on the 2015-2016 Biennial Budget development process at
budget.cityoftacoma.org. This microsite also includes ways to engage with the City online throughout the process – including a survey and a tool that enables visitors to create, visualize and submit different budget scenarios.
As the City of Tacoma develops its 2015-2016 Biennial Budget, members of the community are invited to participate in the following upcoming Budget Input Meetings:
| Date |
Time |
Meeting Location |
| July 14, 2014 |
6 - 8 p.m. |
District 3 - Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler St., Tacoma, WA 98405 |
| July 17, 2014 |
6 - 8 p.m.
|
District 1 – Wheelock Library, 3722 N. 26th St., Tacoma, WA 98407 |
| July 24, 2014 |
6 - 8 p.m.
|
District 5 – Birney Elementary School, 1202 S. 76th St. Tacoma, WA 98408 |
| August 4, 2014 |
6 - 8 p.m.
|
District 4 – Lincoln High School, 701 S. 37th St., Tacoma, WA 98418 |
| August 7, 2014 |
6 - 8 p.m.
|
District 2 – Stadium High School, 111 N. E St., Tacoma, WA 98403 |
Revenues are projected to grow at 2 percent, but expenses are projected to grow at a faster rate. In order to maintain the levels of service provided by the City’s General Fund today, the difference between revenues and expenses is projected to be approximately $6 million in 2015-2016. This shortfall increases substantially if the City were to address deferred maintenance issues that have been delayed and provide funding for other capital and services.
The City is looking for ways to close the gap between revenues and expenditures by balancing the need for savings with the effective delivery of core services. Additionally, the City is working to prioritize funding between existing services, deferred maintenance, and new and expanded services.
A second series of Budget Input Meetings is anticipated to begin in mid-October, shortly after the Proposed 2015 – 2016 Biennial Budget has been transmitted to the City Council.
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