1. 2005-2006 Biennium Budget up for final vote Dec. 14
City Council members are scheduled to vote on the 2005-2006 Biennium Budget during the Dec. 14 meeting. This will be the final reading and consideration of a budget that was originally submitted to the Council on Oct. 23 by City Manager Jim Walton. The Council is expected to make a number of amendments to the budget before passing a balanced budget by the end of the year, as required by law.
2. Budget discussions to continue at Council study session
City Council members will continue their deliberations over the 2005-2006 Biennium Budget during the Dec. 14 study session. The agenda also includes a discussion of proposed amendments to the Tacoma Municipal Code regarding prohibited employee conduct. The public may attend the study session in Room 16, Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St., but the Council will not take public comment. CityPost (Channel 85 on Click!, Channel 77 on Comcast) will air the audio portion of the study session live.
3. Municipal code change would allow taxing of nonprofit hospitals
The City Council will vote Dec. 14 on amending Title 6 of the Citys Municipal Code by repealing and then reenacting sections of the code to remove the general tax deduction allowed for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and adding specific nonprofit exemptions and deductions. If passed, the ordinance would allow the City to impose a business and occupation tax on nonprofit organizations, including hospitals and clinics, as discussed in recent budget deliberations.
4. Council to consider raising various construction and other fees
An ordinance on the Dec. 14 agenda would amend the Municipal Code to increase fees for various services related to construction, including plumbing, sewer and grading permits; sign and billboard permits; overtime parking and other miscellaneous fees. If approved by the City Council, the new fees would take effect Jan. 1. Complete information about the fee increases is available online in the full agenda packet at www.cityoftacoma.org/54council.
5. City seeks to recover full cost of services with fee increases
City Council members will vote Dec. 14 on a resolution that would increase the special and miscellaneous services fees to allow for full cost recovery of services. Fees that would increase include the cost of copying services, the cost of certain City publications and the cost of applying for amendments to the Citys comprehensive plan.
6. Council to decide on interim regulations for protecting critical areas
The City Council will vote Dec. 14 on an ordinance to set interim regulations related to preserve the Citys critical areas. The interim regulations are meant to maintain adequate protection and to prevent harm of critical resources until permanent regulations are drafted and adopted next year.
7. Shop with a Tacoma Cop 2004
The Tacoma Police Department, Target and the Tacoma Police Union #6 are working together to bring an exciting holiday experience to underprivileged children in the Tacoma area between the ages of 7 and 11 years old. The 15th annual Shop with a Tacoma Cop program will be held at 7 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Tacoma Target store at South 23rd and Union Avenue. Police officer escorts will help children shop for their families.
