The Burien City Council began discussions on the mid-biennium budget update, adopted updates to an ordinance prohibiting camping on public land, and placed on consent agenda approval of an ordinance to allow donation of surplus property. They issued proclamations recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. They also approved on their consent agenda an interlocal agreement with Highline School District to re-develop and operate a public playground in the Manhattan Play Area (Manhattan Park).
Mid-biennium Budget Discussions Begin
City staff presented the proposed mid-biennium update to the budget, highlighting current revenue and expenditures and proposed new initiatives.
The City Council adopts a budget every two years, or every biennium, but follows a process every other year to adjust the budget based on new operational needs or reflect more current revenues and expenses.
The budget presented is balanced with adequate money set aside to support the City’s reserve accounts, with the City Manager’s reserve account providing an extra layer of protection against potential economic risk. The need to address the future revenue gap is ongoing.
Highlights of the mid-biennium budget update include:
- Support for important programs and services while also funding some one-time initiatives
- Addressing unexpected costs
- Allocation of the remaining COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Funds (ARPA)
Staff shared information about trends that may affect the budget such as increased insurance costs and reduced fuel tax revenue.
A key component of the budget process is the City’s financial policies. These policies guide decision-making about how the budget is developed, the type of routine expenditure increases that are allowed, and other financial management practices. The City Council has the opportunity to update their financial policies each year.
Public hearings on the mid-biennium budget will be held on October 16 and November 6. Discussion and voting on surface water rates and property taxes will be held during the November 20 meeting, with final adoption of the budget update scheduled to occur on December 4.
Ordinance will Allow Donation of Surplus Property
The City Council placed on the consent agenda of their next meeting approval of an ordinance that will allow the City to both accept donations and donate surplus property to nonprofit organizations.
City Council Adopts Changes to Ordinance Prohibiting Unlawful Camping on Public Property
The City Council adopted technical updates to Ordinance 818, which regulates the ability of individuals to sleep overnight on public property. The updated ordinance (Ordinance 827) changes the hours the ordinance is in effect, better aligning it with the typical operating hours of shelters, and clarifies the intent of the ordinance. The ordinance will go into effect on November 1, 2023.
City Manager Report
The City Manager shared King County Metro Transit is hosting an open house on October 5 to listen to community priorities for a transit-oriented development project in downtown Burien. A meeting with Metro and the City Council is still being scheduled.
He also shared that both the Arts Commission and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board had approved a temporary merger to alleviate current challenges with committee membership levels. The City Council, who must approve the merger, will discuss it at an upcoming meeting.
City staff are working on state and federal legislative priorities future City Council meeting to discuss 2024 legislative interests and priorities.
He also announced new staff promotions, hires, and retirements in the PaRCS and Public Works Departments.
Proclamation Raises Awareness about Domestic Violence
The City Council issued a proclamation in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The awareness month’s goal is to unite advocates across the country to end domestic violence.
DV Hopeline is a free, safe, and confidential domestic violence helpline in King County for people from all communities, of any age and gender. They provide interpreters for over 200 languages.
Zinka Galusic and Elba Moreira from DAWN accepted the proclamation. DAWN, which receives Human Services Fund funding, is a nonprofit organization that supports, empowers, and shelters survivors of domestic abuse. They operate a 24-hour helpline and offer services in English and Spanish.
“At DAWN, we envision a community that commits to preventing domestic violence and also breaking the cycle, and we know that it is our mission to help everybody to get educated so that it's not only organizations like us, but everybody in the community that can help prevent domestic violence,” said Moreira. “The City of Burien really understands that it is in the public interest to be able to fight domestic violence. We are very grateful that the City of Burien has joined us in creating a safer and stronger King County, and we are really grateful and happy to provide these services.”
Proclamation Honors Indigenous Peoples Day
The City Council issued a proclamation recognizing October 9 as Indigenous Peoples Day in Burien, and to celebrate and honor the history and contributions of Indigenous peoples in Burien.