City’s 2010 budget gets first reading

Gig Harbor to cut 10 employee positions

Nate Hulings

of the Gateway

The City of Gig Harbor had its first reading and public hearing of its 2010 budget during Monday’s city council meeting.

The budget, which currently sits at $52.85 million, is a reflection of the $43.7 million in projected expenditures and the $9.2 million in the ending fund balance.

Capital projects make up the biggest impact for the $2.79 million increase from last year’s budget. Nearly $15 million is budgeted for sewer outfall extension and the continued treatment plant upgrades. Another $1.9 million will go toward the Harborview Drive water main project.

In all, 11.9 full-time equivalent positions will be eliminated in 2010 — many coming in development, maintenance and public safety. Ten people will lose their job in the next two waves of layoffs, scheduled for Jan. 1 and April 1.

Two positions will be reduced from full-time to part-time.

Staff cuts mean furloughs for 2010 are off the table. The city currently has a 2009 mandatory furlough schedule in place, which will save about $116,000.

The decision between furloughs and layoffs came down to employee guilds, city administrator Rob Karlinsey said.

The difference is a “zero sum gain in replacing furloughs with layoffs,” Karlinsey said.

Budget changes have occurred since Mayor Chuck Hunter released the preliminary budget last month, city finance director David Rodenbach said.

The scheduled $80,000 transfer from public art capital to the general fund was canceled. The $20,000 in community arts program funding also will be eliminated in 2010.

The Harborview Drive water main project cost also increased.

The city council will have its second reading and potentially adopt the 2010 budget during its Dec. 14 meeting.

Stubchaer says goodbye to city

Monday’s council meeting was the last for city Public Works Director David Stubchaer, whose position will be eliminated as part of the city’s budget cuts.

“I’m sorry I won’t be involved in continued improvements for the City of Gig Harbor,” Stubchaer said.

Council member Steve Ekberg thanked Stubchaer for his service, and he also commented on his professional behavior since he received word he would be laid off.

“Not everyone would take it that way,” Ekberg said.