Sumner council approves two-year budget cycle

Council passes ordinance to institute biennial budget process, which could save the city time and money, officials say

Roxanne Cooke

The Sumner City Council voted 6-1 on Monday to institute a biennial budget process, which would replace the current annual budget system.

With a biennial budget, the council would develop a budget that covers two years instead of one and conduct a “mid-biennium review” at the halfway point to make sure finances are on track, said Deputy City Administrator Diane Supler. It could potentially save the city both time and money.

Approximately 200 to 300 hours of city staff time were spent in finalizing and publishing the 2008 budget. With so much time put into the document, there’s not always enough time for in-depth conversations about the city’s finances.

A biennial budget also makes sense because many city projects span two years anyway, Supler said. And if changes need to be made to the budget before the two years are up, there are budget amendments and the mid-biennium review.

Councilman Matt Richardson cast the only dissenting vote after pointing out that a council member’s term of four years would only allow for the construction of two budgets, and that would result in lost opportunities to work on spending initiatives.

“Council’s basically going to be cut out of that process,” Richardson said.

Councilmember Steve Allsop said he was voting “yes” for the same reason Richardson was voting “no”: With less time spent on a budget each year, the new process will provide more time to discuss spending plans and other issues.

For Councilman Randy Hynek, passing this ordinance will be a test to see if council really does put more effort into financial conversations, he said. If that doesn’t happen, though, he said he plans to speak up and request that it be revoked.

“I think this is a major issue brought forth to the council,” Hynek said. “For now I’m going to give it a shot.”

The council’s first biennial budget will be for 2009-10.

Reach Reporter Roxanne Cooke at 253-841-2481 ext. 314 or by e-mail at roxanne.cooke@puyallupherald.com.