Published October 21 2020
Plus, Domestic Violence Action Month and Planning and Transportation Commission recommendations
On Monday, the City Council was presented with the preliminary 2021-2022 Operating Budget and 2021-2027 Capital Investment Program (CIP) Plan.
The 2021-2022 biennial budget totals $1.7 billion. It’s comprised of $1.1 billion in operating budget (which includes the $474 million General Fund), $74 million in special purpose expenditures (such as grants, donations and debt), and $523 million for the 2021-2022 portion of the General and Utilities CIP Plan.
“This budget creates a ‘bridge’ to keep Bellevue on solid financial footing,” noted City Manager Brad Miyake in his transmittal letter. “Critical discussions and potentially difficult decisions will be necessary early next year and beyond as we learn more about and deal with the aftershocks of the pandemic and structural deficit.”
The General Fund provides funding for fire, police, transportation, parks and most administrative municipal infrastructure. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic slowdown, the General Fund has been heavily impacted. A balanced budget proposal was achieved by addressing a $16 million annual budget deficit in this fund during the 2021-2022 biennium. The City Manager’s Preliminary Budget includes financial strategies to address the gap, including: cost containment that reduced expenditures in both internal and external services while largely preserving current staff; revenue options such as a one percent property tax adjustment for both years of the biennium; and one time “bridge” structures such as reallocation of sales tax, adjusting the timing to open Fire Station 10, and use of reserves. The preliminary budget also reflects a continued focus on equity and inclusion, building community connections, and helping the most vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness.
The CIP Plan is budgeted to spend$659 million over the next seven years. The fund must continue to maintain what has already been built while also supporting continued improvements in neighborhoods, addressing growth areas, supporting transportation improvements in support of TIFIA loan project areas, and maintaining affordable housing at $2 million annually.
Further presentations on each department section of the budget will occur between now and December, when the council will potentially adopt it. A third and final public hearing is slated for Nov. 23.The full discussion from this week’s presentation can be viewed on Bellevue Television. Additional details are in the council agenda packet.
E-scooter study work
Earlier, the council requested the Transportation Commission to investigate options for adjusting local motorized foot scooter regulations. Members of the Bellevue business community expressed interest in piloting shared e-scooter services, similar to the e-bikeshare pilot the city undertook in 2018.
Bellevue adopted an ordinance in 2007 to regulate the use of motorized foot scooters, though at the time most scooters were gas powered and used for recreation by private residents. Since then, electric scooters have become more popular, surpassing bike share use nationally the year after their introduction. The state updated its code regulating motorized foot scooters in 2019.
Bellevue plans to prioritize safety, sustainability, equity, accessibility, innovation, consistency, engagement, education, and parking as the Transportation Commission examines a new policy regulating e-scooters. A replay of the council’s initial discussion is available on Bellevue Television.
Domestic Violence Action Month
Domestic violence affects one in four women and one in seven men during their lifetime. As a way to raise awareness and support survivors, councilmembers proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Action Month.
The proclamation notes that the issue of domestic violence crosses all economic, racial, gender, educational, religious and societal barriers. In addition, it calls on all residents to speak out against domestic violence and support efforts to prevent it through organizations like LifeWire. Since 1982, the group has provided services to more than 148,000 survivors and their children on the Eastside.
Appointments to Planning and Transportation Commissions
Two applicants were unanimously approved by the council to join the city’s Planning Commission and Transportation Commissions at the meeting. The council appoints residents to boards, commissions and committees that provide detailed study and recommendations on important policy matters.
• Karol Brown will serve a four-year term expiring on May 31, 2024, on the Planning Commission.
• Karen Stash will serve a partial term expiring on May 31, 2023, on the Transportation Commission.
Additional information on Bellevue’s boards and commissions is available on the city’s Boards and Commissions web page.