Yakima budget: More officers, fewer workers clearing snow
YAKIMA, Wash. -- It's no secret times are still tough for cities and counties around the state. In Yakima, next year's budget is nearly complete. Action News broke down the figures to see what that means for you.
"Had to push people out to the road just to get them to main road last year, so it was tough," said Yakima man, Bob Adamson.
And it could get tougher. In 2013 Bob will see fewer people clearing snow from the streets he's driven for 36 years. Yakima decided to eliminate a street maintenance specialist. It's the fifth position of its kind to be axed in just three years.
"Even though the streets are important to keep up in the winter, I think we need to look at people's safety first," said Bob.
And Yakima agrees. At the start of the new year, Bob will be protected by three new officers patrolling Yakima's streets. Two new officers will complete a second gang unit, and the third will join the violent crimes task force.
"Gangs shooting gangs, and people getting broken into,yeah I think that's a high priority for us," said Bob.
Bob can also expect improvements to downtown Yakima, the airport and large areas like the old mill site. The city created two new positions to focus on revitalization in key areas. It all comes with a cost, but Bob says it's worth it.
"If it raises the budget, it raises the budget," said Bob. "We need to take care of the important things."
The general budget for Yakima next year is about 1.5 million more than it was this year. The city manager points to higher health plan costs and union contracts.
And while budget talks are nearing the end, winter is just gearing up. Leaving people like Bob hoping the snow back in January doesn't come back for round two.
"I want my streets cleaned just like everyone else, but times are tough and when times are tough, we have to tighten our belts and do the best we can with what we have," said Bob.
Yakima eliminated about a half-dozen other positions that sat vacant this year. But, the city is confident you won't feel the effects.
"Had to push people out to the road just to get them to main road last year, so it was tough," said Yakima man, Bob Adamson.
And it could get tougher. In 2013 Bob will see fewer people clearing snow from the streets he's driven for 36 years. Yakima decided to eliminate a street maintenance specialist. It's the fifth position of its kind to be axed in just three years.
"Even though the streets are important to keep up in the winter, I think we need to look at people's safety first," said Bob.
And Yakima agrees. At the start of the new year, Bob will be protected by three new officers patrolling Yakima's streets. Two new officers will complete a second gang unit, and the third will join the violent crimes task force.
"Gangs shooting gangs, and people getting broken into,yeah I think that's a high priority for us," said Bob.
Bob can also expect improvements to downtown Yakima, the airport and large areas like the old mill site. The city created two new positions to focus on revitalization in key areas. It all comes with a cost, but Bob says it's worth it.
"If it raises the budget, it raises the budget," said Bob. "We need to take care of the important things."
The general budget for Yakima next year is about 1.5 million more than it was this year. The city manager points to higher health plan costs and union contracts.
And while budget talks are nearing the end, winter is just gearing up. Leaving people like Bob hoping the snow back in January doesn't come back for round two.
"I want my streets cleaned just like everyone else, but times are tough and when times are tough, we have to tighten our belts and do the best we can with what we have," said Bob.
Yakima eliminated about a half-dozen other positions that sat vacant this year. But, the city is confident you won't feel the effects.
A treatment center downtown had somehow altered Google maps to show their dumpy place as a glamorous heath spa, thereby attracting more drug addicts to Yakima that are supposed to go back to where they came from, but don't. Hundreds of felons moving in to west valley that probably helped Walmart finally get that property. The downtown transit illegally bugged and kids and tourists set up for pot busts. This is like the Patriot Act, growing and growing. All these felons, illegals, and drug addicts will be card carrying members of the "Yakima ring".  And what ring is that? The ring that helps run people out of their homes and grabs their property. A self perpetuating behometh where the controlling super rich keeps getting richer and the crime rate keeps getting bigger. My God, Memorial was doing illegal competency hearings on people who had been driven mad by drug addicts camped out on their property and everything they owned was taken away. But thanks to Obama, they got busted and had to close down their nutty mental operation.Â