City’s preliminary budget outlined

It was well after 10 p.m. on Tuesday when Arlene Fisher, Liberty Lake’s director of finance and administration, stepped up to the podium to outline the city’s preliminary budget for 2008.

Fisher’s report was delayed by lively discussions on two proposed projects – the Community Center and Library and Rocky Hill Park.

Architects Gary Bernardo and Matthew Jacoby of Bernardo-Wills presented a conceptual site design and floor plan for the Community Center and Library to be built on a 6.4-acre site at Appleway Avenue and Signal Road.

“This is the plan we have been working on for the last month,” Jacoby said. “It includes input from the council and two community workshops.”

The proposed three-story building features a main floor with the library, community center and multipurpose room. The 36,000-square foot facility also would include an unfinished basement and second floor.

The council directed the architects to move forward and return in two weeks with a more definitive design plan.

Jim Frank of Greenstone Corp. presented the Phase 1 plan for the 14.5-acre Rocky Hill Park at Mission Avenue and Winrock Street.

Council discussed possible legal requirements of park improvements. City Attorney Sean Boutz was asked to research the issue and report back to the council at its next meeting.

Because of the late hour, Fisher touched briefly on a few main points.

The overall city budget for 2008 is projected to be about $14 million, including $5.8 million for the general fund. Fisher estimates the city’s assessed valuation for 2008 will increase 27 percent over 2007.

“In 2007 it was over $791 million,” Fisher said. “In 2008 it will be over $1 billion.”

The higher assessed valuation reflects growth in the community, she said.

“This does not mean property taxes will go up,” Fisher said. “It means that more people are contributing to the overall tax base.”

In addition to property taxes, the municipality receives income from sales taxes, licenses, permits, and various fees and charges.

There will be a more in-depth discussion of the budget at the council’s next meeting on Oct. 16.

Other council business

“Doug Smith, director of planning and community development, updated the council on Liberty Lake’s first public art piece scheduled to be installed by December.

Stone carvers Dale Young and Randy Raak will chip away at one of the project’s elements Saturday at the Liberty Lake Farmers’ Market, 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays through Oct. 13.

The council passed a resolution to establish a Public Art Commission.

“Four Liberty Lake teens were sworn in as officers in the city’s Youth Commission. Leading the group for the coming academic year are Jenna Peterson, chair; Sam Baynes, vice chair; Danielle Mertens, treasurer; Kaleena Dodson, secretary; and Yanek Kondryszyn, public relations.

The youth group will be helping build a Habitat for Humanity house on Oct. 20.

“Police Chief Brian Asmus gave his Public Safety report and announced that the next Meet the Chief forum is Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. The focus of the informal meeting will be internet safety.

“The program is for parents and other adults interested in learning about how to keep kids safe while surfing the web,” states Asmus’ police report.