1. 2011 Budget General Information
2. 2011 Budget General Fund
3. 2011 Budget Public Works Funds
4. 2011 Budget Debt Service Funds
5. 2011 Budget Capital Project Funds
6. 2011 Budget Reserve Funds

Sultan Adopts 2011 Budget

The Sultan city council approved a $10 million dollar balanced budget on December 16, 2010. “This budget holds the line on city services,” said Mayor Carolyn Eslick. “Despite the most severe economic downturn in 29 years, the City of Sultan is able to balance the 2011 budget without cuts to city programs. The city’s block watch program, adopt-a-street program and new park patrol program are a very big part of Sultan’s success in 2010. Continued volunteer support will be vital to the city’s success in 2011”, added Eslick.

The city anticipates collecting approximately $616,000 in property tax revenues. There will be a $60,000 decline in property tax revenues as a result of the city reaching the levy cap of $1.60/$1,000 of assessed value. Property taxes are used to support the General Fund and Street Fund. Revenues in the general fund are used to support police and court services ($1,110,000); park maintenance ($83,318); and building and planning services ($243,000). General fund revenues have decreased from $1,945,000 in 2010 to $1,876,000 in 2011 a $69,000 decrease. Expenditures in the general fund have decreased by $137,000 compared to 2010. The General Fund has an ending fund balance of $68,000.

Approximately $45,000 was cut from the Street Fund in 2011. The Street Fund is used to maintain, repair and improve the city’s street system. Due to the decline in property tax revenues, the 2011 budget does not include funding for major street repair and maintenance projects such as reconstructing the intersection of Third and Bell Streets.

The focus in 2011 is to complete the planning efforts started in 2010. The city will finish the effort to update the Comprehensive Plan, Water System Plan, and General Sewer Plan. The city has set aside $125,000 to support these planning efforts. Other projects planned in 2011 include integrating the city’s financial software system ($6,000); updating the city’s nuisance codes; removing bottlenecks at the Waste Water Treatment Plant to improve capacity ($335,000); replacing the exterior stairs at the post office building ($15,000); and paying-off the interfund loan to the general fund ($45,000).

The city continues to struggle with the loss of fees paid by new development. Sultan secured a $1,000,000 low interest state loan in 2007 to make improvements to the sewer plant. The city planned to make the loan payments using new development fees. The 2011 budget anticipates the loan payment coming from a combination of beginning fund balance, reserves, reduced operating expenses and a proposed $6.64 increase in sewer utility rates effective January 1, 2011. There are two years left on the loan.

Mayor Eslick noted, “This budget provides important city services. I’m proud that our taxpayers trust us with their money and support the city with their time and talents. I look forward to working with community members in 2011 to stretch our limited revenues to achieve our shared goals.”

For more information on the 2011 budget contact Laura Koenig, Deputy Finance Director at 360-793-2231 or e-mail laura.koenig@ci.sultan.wa.us

1. 2010 Budget Introduction
2. 2010 Budget General Fund
3. 2010 Budget Public Works Funds
4. 2010 Budget Debt Service Funds
5. 2010 Budget Capital Budget Funds Attachment
6. 2010 Budget Capital Budget Funds Part 1
7. 2010 Budget Capital Budget Funds Part 2
8. 2010 Budget Reserve Funds

1. Message and General Fund
2. Street and Enterprise Fund
3. Miscellaneous Funds
4. Capital Project Funds