Council plans two budget scenarios

As Stanwood City Council moves forward with the financial planning model and begins early work on next year’s budget, Finance Director Crystil Robinson said she plans on developing at least two scenarios — a best and worst case.

The best-case scenario will assume, among other things, that the proposed property tax and EMS levy lifts pass, garnering the city about $500,000 per year in much-needed revenue.

For the worst-case scenario, Robinson said, she will assume the levies don’t pass. She said she’s also willing to work on other scenarios if council wishes, perhaps assuming one levy passes and the other doesn’t.

Darin Reid, deputy chief of Stanwood-Camano Fire and Rescue, said the department is working on a “fact sheet” that can be used to inform citizens about the needs and services the levies will meet.

Reid also said it’s important to note, especially in a small district like Stanwood, that a “fire” levy doesn’t fund only fire fighting — it also funds EMS, patient-transport services and rescue operations.

“In our city,” Reid said, “fire services are a package deal. Any revenues go toward funding the whole package.”

Finally, Robinson passed out a summary of staffing changes over the past three years, including net savings to the city by not replacing positions, but instead redistributing duties among other employees.

She noted that the city administrator is one such position that will not be filled in the foreseeable future.

The next council meeting is on June 10, 7 p.m., in the school district’s administration building, 26920 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood.

Staff Reporter Jeremiah O’Hagan: 629-8066 ext. 125 or ohagan@scnews.com.