Moses Lake adopts budget for 2006

Reward offered in BB vandalism

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents will see crews working on a few new projects next year, following the adoption of the city's 2006 budget by the Moses Lake City Council Tuesday night.

The council voted 5-1 to adopt the budget, one of several items taken up at a meeting during which the council also offered a reward for information on a recent rash of BB vandalism at area businesses.

An increase in sales tax funds and property tax receipts from new home construction, annexations and other economic activity has in part attributed to a better budget year, City Manager Joe Gavinski has said previously.

The city's 2006 budget is similar to recent city budgets, but with a few additions for capital projects like reconstruction as part of a downtown revitalization plan. The city's total operating budget will amount to $63,559,900, an increase from $56,233,400 budgeted in 2005.

That budget includes approximately $1.14 million for reconstruction costs for portions of Third Avenue and Sinkiuse Square. Money is also included for a $2 million reconstruction of Lakeside and Peninsula Drives.

An addition to the Moses Lake Family Aquatic Center has made the cut as well, with a $2 million near-surfing experience and lazy river addition slated to be constructed with tourism dollars.

At a public hearing before adoption of the budget Tuesday, council members heard from one of the co-chairs of the Trails Planning Team speaking in favor of future funding stability with regard to trails. Joe Rogers spoke on behalf of the TPT, and urged the council to continue to make trails and paths a top priority at the city.

"We're here to urge you to keep the interconnection of those trails a top priority," Rogers said. He added that city staff and the council had been supportive of trails, but looked forward to future cooperation with the city on trails.

The city in October officially endorsed the Moses Lake Activity Trail Master Plan as part of its comprehensive plan. The master plan will act as a blueprint for future trail development to connect parks, schools and neighborhoods throughout Moses Lake.

Approximately $936,000 is listed in the 2006 budget for trails and paths, mostly through grants for the Heron Trail and Wanapum bicycle path.

Councilman Steve Shinn was the sole vote against the 2006 budget, citing a few specific funding concerns. Shinn worried that councilmanic bonds issued to fund the aquatic center addition would tie up certain funds for the 20-year bond period. Shinn added during Tuesday's meeting his concern of the current funding of the aquatic center addition, while other items like trails and paths had previously been listed as a higher priority by the city.

In other city council business, the council unanimously approved a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any vandal responsible for a recent rash of BB gun incidents at businesses throughout the city.

Moses Lake Police Department officers have responded to a growing number of incidents in recent weeks, many involving BB holes through business windows. Gavinski told the council Tuesday that the use of a reward can sometimes be an effective way to solve these type of vandalism crimes.