Quincy's draft budget continues projects

Refuse rates likely to rise

QUINCY - Quincy's proposed 2009 budget continues funding for several projects from 2008.

These projects include a new library facility, fire truck and new public works building.

The budget increases the money the city saved for a new library by $500,000 to $1 million. The city is applying for grants to pay for the rest. The new building would replace the present library, which was built in 1960.

Community members spoke in favor of a new library at the Nov. 4 city council meeting, saying the current library was too small and crowded to meet user's needs.

"Another ($500,000) should provide us with the money we need to get that project started," Hemberry said. "We're hopeful that we can get some grants."

The budget adds roughly $300,000 for a ladder truck for the Quincy fire station. The previous ladder truck failed to meet safety requirements about four years ago. They tried to purchase one in 2008, but the purchase was delayed because the city had to accept bids on the new truck.

"I wasn't sure if we were going to purchase it this year (2008) or next year, but I figured we were going to purchase it next year," Mayor Jim Hemberry said.

The city also has a $2.3 million project to cross the West Canal of the Columbia Basin Project with a water line. The project is funded with a USDA rural development loan, Grant County Public Works trust fund grant and a Strategic Infrastructure grant.

The city also plans to start the water reuse facility, which will carry reclaimed water to the Microsoft data center for cooling. This is being paid with a $4.5 million allocation from the state budget.

"The one nice thing that's happening is the federal government is looking at a stimulus package and it's geared to public works contracts," Hemberry said. "They think they can put people to work by doing public works contracts. Hopefully there's going to be money freed up. The state's talking about the same thing … (Governor Chris Gregoire is) also interested in stuff that's green, which helps us with our (water reuse) recycle project."

The budget predicts sales tax to remain at the same levels as the previous two years, Hemberry stated. He predicts about $1.5 million in sales tax for next year, but is concerned about whether the city will make their goal.

"The one good thing is the data centers are still putting in equipment, even if they're not doing construction," Hemberry said. "That's a concern to me looking at the next three or four years unless the economy turns around."

The city will most likely delay raising water and sewer rates this year, he said.

"I think we can go one year without raising those rates and kind of give everybody in the city a little bit of a break," Hemberry said. "I think come 2010, we'll probably have to look at raising these."

Refuse charges will rise 10 percent next year, after the city delayed raising the charge last year. If the city doesn't raise the price, it would have enough money in the fund to pay the contractor for the service, Hemberry said.