PORT TOWNSEND — After a dozen budget workshops and without more deliberations, City Council members voted 5-1 — with one of the seven-member council absent — to approve more than $1 million in utility tax rate increases as part of a $24.2 million 2007 city budget.
The increases in water, sewer, storm water and garbage utility tax rates are intended to relieve flagging revenues and pay for five new city staff positions.
Councilman Frank Benskin was the lone vote against approval during the budget’s second reading Monday night.
Councilman Geoff Masci was absent during the budget vote.
Both council members voiced concerns about the increases’ impact on residents with low incomes and fixed incomes.
During the council’s first budget reading Thursday, Benskin and Masci voted against the utility tax rate increases and the budget, but voted in favor of calling for a Feb. 6 special election for an increase in the energy and phone utility tax.
That election — offered to the voters through a unanimous vote of the City Council — would give city voters the chance to accept or reject increasing the energy and phone utility tax rate from 6 percent to 10 percent.
Revenues from the utility tax rate increase would allow the addition of two police officers and one position in the stormwater department.
The city has 95 employees, not including fire employees, which were transferred to East Jefferson Fire -Rescue under a recently approved consolidation.
About half of the city staff work for public works.
The police department has a staff of 18, with 13 officers and five in police administration.
The library is the next largest city department, with 9.5 employees.
More positions if tax passes
If voters approve the energy and phone utility tax increase, another police officer would be added, plus three positions for parks and facilities, and a librarian.
Election approval would also put an additional $75,000 into street improvements, over and above about $400,000 already getting council approval.
City Manager David Timmons said he was putting together a fact sheet, which is allowed by law, for the election.
It would be included in residents’ January city utility bills.
