Post on 31-Dec-2015
description
Association of Washington CitiesJanuary 17, 2005
Cities’ ability to meet financialneeds in the next 5 years
compared to FY 2004
Less Able82%
Better Able8%
Aboutthe Same
10%
Local conditions most often cited as worsened over past 5 years
75% 73%
57%
50% 48%
Impacts ofunfundedmandates
Overall citybudget condition
Traffic congestion Unemployment Drugs/alcoholabuse
Top negative budget influences(% of cities citing as 1 of top 3)
61%
56%
33%
Tax-limiting voter initiatives Cost of employee healthbenefits
Infrastructure needs
Majority of cities expect to delay capital programs over next 6 years
Don't know20%
No9%
Expect to delay capital programs
71%
Majority of cities cannot fund transportation maintenance from
their general fundOther3%
Yes46%
No51%
Demands for other services competewith transportation general
fund resources
No16%
Yes84%
Cities face $3.4 billion transportation capital shortfall over next 6 years
(2004-2009)
Local revenue $3.37 billion
State gas tax$454 million
Federal revenue $541 million
Funding gap$3.41 billion
Other revenue (TIB, WSDOT, other state)$703 million
Infrastructure needs for water, sewer and storm water have increased by 40%
40% Increase
$3.24 billion
$2.39 billion
1998-2003 2004-2009
Cities are pessimistic about providing economic development services over the next five years
Somewhat Pessimistic
38%
Somewhat Optimistic
34%
VeryPessimistic
20%
VeryOptimistic
8%
City actions due to statewide initiative impacts
54%
46% 45%43%
39%
Used some or allof undesignated
reserves
Increased userfees
Reduced stafftraining and
travel budgets
Increased taxes Eliminated staffpositions
Impacts on service delivery past 4 years
79%
62%
40%
19%13%
Roaddeterioration
Less parkmaintenance
Decreased policeservice
Reduced libraryhours
Increased fireresponse time
Where we go from here:Maintaining our cities’ fiscal health
• Allocate state funding to struggling cities and towns
• Implement a comprehensive transportation package
• Provider greater flexibility in the use of existing resources
• Develop new fiscal tools to address the inadequacy of current revenues to meet needs
• Invest in economic development