2013–2014 BIENNIAL BUDGET - the City of Tukwila

2013-2014 Biennial Budget City of Tukwila, WashingtonInvest in City Buildings and EquipmentThroughout the strategic planning process and community outreach, we confirmed that Tukwila’sprimary mission is to provide for the safety and quality of life for its residents.The City has learned that the community expects the City to provide the appropriate infrastructure tosupport these services.Most of our existing City buildings do not meet current earthquake and safety standards. During thebudget workshops, I heard the Council’s commitment to provide safe facilities for our employees.Recognizing this need, this budget provides funding to involve the community and the Council increating a plan to analyze immediate and long-term needs, which could include appropriate location,size, and cost for upgraded or new facilities. These investments will provide for an appropriateworking environment for our first responders, City staff and the community who utilize thesebuildings for a wide range of City services.EfficienciesThis year’s budget process supports a new, more efficient permit process and a long-term approach tofund our vehicles and equipment. The new permit system will improve service to our customers byproviding electronic plan review and a system which will allow users to track their own permitsthrough our system. The Department of Community Development is already working to streamlineits current processes to better meet the public needs prior to this new system being implemented.The Public Works Department is to be congratulated for working with all departments to fully accountfor our vehicles and equipment. This budget eliminates under-utilized vehicles from the fleet andproperly plans and funds all future replacement from shared cars to new fire engines. In the FireDepartment, we have a plan to extend the life of the ladder truck by moving it to Station 51 as asecondary vehicle and replacing it with an engine to respond to the more common emergency calls.This is a more cost effective long-term plan for funding these equipment needs. Both of theseimprovements have created a more accountable and transparent system.Capital InvestmentsThe City will continue to support investments in our critical infrastructure, not only by creating a planfor safer facilities, but also by implementing long-range plans for our critical water, sewer and surfacewater management systems. Our Urban Center business area relies on adequate infrastructure toprovide services. The recent investments in the new Tukwila Urban Center Access (Klickitat Project)and Southcenter Parkway Extension Project will provide critical connections to this area and helpmaintain Tukwila’s competitive advantage. We also plan to continue investments in our residentialareas with over $1.6 million in new residential improvements, including new sidewalks and trails inthe next biennium. We are also putting in place a plan for ongoing annual investments in residentialneighborhoods with $500,000 dedicated for future years.Page 10