FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2014

MEDIA CONTACT
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054

Community Budget Input Meetings Scheduled July 14 – August 7

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

For the 2015-2016 Biennial Budget, expenses are projected to grow faster than revenues. 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 around $6 million. This shortfall increases substantially if the City were to address deferred maintenance issues 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.