Do You Understand the City Budget?

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Story Published: Nov 6, 2009 at 5:44 PM PST

By Melissa Wagner

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Yakima - It's the 30 day countdown to the budget deadline for the city of Yakima. The city manager and council are closer to reaching an agreement on all issues. But do you know what those issues are and how they affect you?

Reporter asks, "Lori, what can you tell me about the city budget?"

"Um, gee. (laughs)," Lori Henry, a Yakima resident.

Ask just about anyone in Yakima and that's the answer you'll get.

" It's the most important thing city council does, make the budget, but it's also the least interesting," said Councilman Rick Ensey.

Which would explain why very few, if any, residents attend the weekly budget meeting. It's open to the public. They just never show up. Ensey explained, " It's very boring. It's confusing at times."

And sometimes even the media can't unravel the mystery for you. What we do know, is that as of right now, the budget is essentially balanced, with the recommended department cuts and layoffs that are proposed.

Yakima City Manager, Dick Zais, said, " The budget is in balance with a very limited use of reserves."

A lot of folks tell me they're worried about the safety of our city. And how much money is going to police and fire. Lori said, " I worry about that. I think we need to boost that."

Good news Lori. That reserve money the city's dipping into, About 1 and a half million dollars worth, all of it's going to public safety. Lori says she does catch some of the city council meetings on public access tv and tries to stay informed. But this late in the game, will her opinion make any difference?

" I think public input matters and does make an important reflection about how people feel about these things. But the current situation we're in doesn't make it any easier," said Zais.

Meaning those department budget cuts and layoffs will still have to happen somewhere.
Even if we're not happy about it.

There's still an opportunity to have your voice heard on what the city is doing with the 2010 budget. The next public hearing is in two weeks, on the 17th, at the city council chambers.

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