Post Falls: Zero is beautiful

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — The City of Post Falls is bucking a trend.

It spells relief to its taxpayers.

Mayor Ron Jacobson and City Council members on Tuesday night directed staff to bring back a fiscal 2019 budget proposal with no tax increase at the second public hearing, Sept. 4.

"Most taxing entities have budgets that call for an increase and, once again, the city of Post Falls will be recommending 0 percent," Jacobson said. "I think that's the prudent thing to do."

He said that if the council approves the budget as expected and presented in September, the city will have had no increase in nine out of the past 10 years.

The only year a property tax increase was taken was two years ago. The city was threatened with a lawsuit when its street light fee collection system was challenged and it was changed to a tax instead.

Council member Linda Wilhelm praised city staff for vetting the budget and giving the board budget options to choose from.

"You've worked hard to make sure we give citizens the best service we can for the least amount of money," she said.

Under state law, cities are allowed to increase budgets up to 3 percent each year.

Council member Joe Malloy said that while a 0 percent tax hike is always nice for taxpayers, he warned that may not be sustainable over time, especially as growth and the cost of business increase.

Urban renewal district closures in the coming years should help finances, Malloy said.

"That will bring money back to the city," he said. "Thanks to staff for holding tight, the districts are closing and we appreciate no additional burden to the taxpayers."

The proposed $26.8 million General Fund budget, which is funded by property taxes, will include two crime victims' advocates for $109,000 (two salaries and benefits), as the positions were previously grant-funded.

It also includes an emergency communications officer, $48,000; community development director, $150,000; parks planner, $68,400; ticketing system at Q'emiln Park, $55,000; leasing of four plows with snowgates to reduce berms, $135,000; vehicle replacements, $180,000; and a seasonal parks maintenance worker, $14,800.

A 2 percent cost-of-living allowance (COLA) and merit increases of up to 2 percent are proposed in the budget. Salary hikes for the mayor and City Council members are not planned.

A 3 percent property tax hike would have generated $315,610 and pay for the "wish list" requests of a patrol officer, street worker, mechanic, landscape specialist and turf specialist that now appear on the chopping block.

A 1 percent property tax increase would have generated $105,203 and a 2 percent hike $210,406.