PORT ANGELES — Clallam Transit’s governing board has approved a $9.9 million budget that projects a 1 percent increase in countywide sales tax collections.
Board members voted 7-0 Monday to approve a 2016 operating and capital budget that brings in $395,000 more than it spends.
The budget includes a 1.08 percent pay raise for Transit employees based on a regional consumer price index.
No public comments were provided to the board in a Monday hearing on the budget.
“I appreciate all the hard work that’s gone into this,” said Bryon Monohon, board chairman and Forks mayor, after the unanimous vote.
“This has been thoroughly, thoroughly vetted numerous times by everybody on this board and staff.”
Transit General Manager Wendy Clark-Getzin and Finance Manager Melinda Smithson presented a proposed budget to the board in an all-day workshop Nov. 5.
The final budget, which was largely unchanged since the workshop, shows $8.8 million in operating revenue compared with $8.4 million in operating expenses.
Clallam Transit has about $2.6 million in operating reserves.
Next year, Transit officials expect to collect more than $6.7 million in sales taxes. Sales tax is by far the largest source of revenue for the public transportation agency.
Federal grants account for another $705,000 in budgeted revenue; cash fares and passes are expected to bring in $668,000. The van service will collect a projected $315,000 in 2016.
On the expense side, Clallam Transit has committed $4.1 million to fixed route operations, $1.7 million to paratransit operations and $1.5 million to maintenance.
Capital revenue and capital projects are each budgeted at $1.5 million next year.
For information about Clallam Transit, click on www.clallamtransit.com or phone 360-452-4511.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
