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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
Proposed City budget allows new positions, improvements BY ROBERT WHALE rwhale@auburn-reporter.com
The preliminary City of Auburn budget projects a 1-percent property tax levy increase in 2015 and 2016 and a one-time increase
of $600,000 in 2015 to pay for six new positions, among them three Auburn Police Department employees and one code enforcement officer. Meantime, the City’s total general fund budget, including
fund balance, for 2015-2016 is $73.4 million and $70 million, respectively, the 2015 budget anticipating a 2.8-percent increase from 2014 and the 2016 budget a 4.7-percent decrease from 2015. Mayor Nancy Backus said the
budget represents a meeting of many minds over many hours since June. “It’s not been done in a silo, it’s a collaboration that all department directors were able to support,” Backus said Monday. “There was
more information available to council this year. They received line-item information, and each director was able to present his or her own budget. [ more BUDGET page 7 ]
Man’s questions about parade draw mayor’s ire the City, but I’m guessing it’s about $200,000 to $300,000,” Anderson began. Typically, Auburn officials Given that, Anderson allow what people say during continued, why don’t the the regular public largest companies that comment period to profit from war pick pass without comup some of the City’s ment. costs? But once in awhile, That was enough for what people assert as Mayor Nancy Backus. true during the three “Mr. Anderson,” minutes they get to Backus said, “I try make their point near not to respond to Backus the start of every some of these things Auburn City Council because I don’t want meeting really crawls under to engage in an argument. somebody’s skin. But I need to correct some of As Auburn resident Keith your facts. It does not cost the Anderson found out at a City $200,000 to $300,000 to recent council meeting, quesput on that parade. It’s probtioning the expenses the City ably $10,000 at the most, and of Auburn incurs hosting the $6,500 of that comes from the annual Veterans Day Parade. Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.” “I don’t know how much [ more MAYOR page 7 ] the veterans parade costs BY ROBERT WHALE
rwhale@auburn-reporter.com
HAWKS DROP BY Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell, front, and linebacker Bruce Irvin join former Seahawk Lawyer Milloy, middle, in signing autographs for fans at Auburn Volkswagen on Tuesday night. The players’ appearances were part of a canned food and
toy drive at the dealership. Latonya Chaffer and Eric Keith from 1ONE group sang to the crowd while it waited. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter
Pacific Police Department earns WASPC accreditation BY SHAWN SKAGER sskager@auburn-reporter.com
John Calkins
The Pacific Police Department last month become one of only
a handful of Washington law enforcement agencies to receive state accreditation from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC).
According to Pacific Police Chief John Calkins, the City is one of just 56 agencies – out of 300 statewide – to achieve the accreditation.
“I’ve been trying to become accredited for the past three years,” Calkins said. “But the funding [ more PACIFIC page 7 ]
AveKids: Doktor Kaboom The Science of Santa | Dec. 6, 1 pm | $8 | Auburn Ave. Theater www.auburnwa.gov/events | 253-931-3043 Snack & Craft | December 6, 2-4 pm | $3/$4 (pre-registrered)/$5 at the door, Washington Elementary Santa Parade & Tree Lighting | December 6, 4:30 pm | Downtown Auburn (Parade line-up at 4pm) 1158123