Title
Public Health and Safety Programs, Services and Investments in the 2022 Operating Budget
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss public health and safety programs, services and investments in the 2022 Operating Budget.
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss public health and safety programs, services and investments in the 2022 Operating Budget.
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Background and Analysis:
The City’s annual Operating Budget is one of the most visible and significant ways we achieve and articulate the community’s vision. Historically, the Operating Budget has been organized by Departments. Each Department presents their operating budget, including a description of their programs and services, employee complement, trends and challenges, and accomplishments. Although, each chapter shares the same outline, each Department organizes and presents their budget slightly differently.
Over the past year, the City Council and the community have engaged in reimagining public safety. This effort has highlighted the need to better communicate how the City invests taxpayer dollars to provide public health and safety to programs and services to our community. Staff will share a proposal to create a Public Health & Safety Chapter in the 2022 Operating Budget. This chapter would include Housing/Homelessness, Fire, and Police.
Staff will discuss the proposal and work to incorporate feedback into the 2022 Operating Budget. The City Manager is scheduled to be present the preliminary budget to the full Council on November 1, 2021.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Clearly communicating the programs, services and investments the City provides will enhance public trust and engagement.
Options:
1. Discuss public health and safety programs, services and investments in the 2022 Operating Budget.
2. Do not Discuss public health and safety programs, services and investments in the 2022 Operating Budget.
3. Discuss public health and safety programs, services and investments in the 2022 Operating Budget at another time.
Financial Impact:
There are no financial impacts at this time.
Attachments:
None.