Last Friday, Chuck Pierce followed a complaint that alleged a student had stolen money. It turned out the student was in possession of marijuana instead.
Later that afternoon, he investigated a case that involved a student who was threatened at gunpoint by a peer.
Last Friday was a typical day for Pierce, who has been a school resource officer (SRO) at Juanita and Lake Washington high schools the past five years. He rotates between both schools on alternate days, but can be called to any school in the city, if needed.
Every day, Pierce has looked forward to working with the kids the most. His position has given him the chance to be proactive and “turn kids around before they get into serious trouble — a useful tool that also saves patrol officers a lot of time,” said Pierce, whose position is one of several city positions — and the only public safety position– that could be eliminated.
Last week, the City of Kirkland began considering proposed budget cuts to fill in its projected $19 million shortfall for the 2009-2010 budget.
“I’m glad I don’t have to make the decision,” Pierce said of the budget cuts, though, “I think all the calls from the PTSA have helped.”
During the Council meeting Oct. 21, several parents urged the Council not to cut Pierce’s position.
“Please don’t balance the budget at the expense of safety of our schools,” one parent said.
Other outside agencies that receive city funding pleaded for the Council’s continued support.
Other proposed cuts
The anticipated $19 million budget shortfall represents more than 12 percent of the operating budget’s general fund, which supports police, fire, emergency medical, transportation and parks services.
The fund is primarily supported by sales tax, which, by the end of 2008, the city expects revenue to decline by 10 percent in light of the economic downturn.
To bridge the funding gap between city expenses and revenue for the upcoming two years, the city asked each department to identify budget reductions of up to 8 percent for the next biennium.
Last Tuesday, city staff reviewed those proposed cuts and made recommendations to the council as the city considers ways to make up the budget shortfall.
Mayor Jim Lauinger stressed that none of the cuts under consideration are “iron clad.”
As the city’s highest priority, recommendations in public safety reductions are less than 2 percent, while other departments such as Planning and Community Development could face up to 8 percent reductions.
Overall, staff has recommended more than $5 million in budget reductions from both the general and other funds.
Several temporary employee positions would be eliminated, as well as eight fulltime staff, including Pierce’s position, four firefighters and a domestic violence advocate position.
Services and programs supported by the general fund would face about a 19 percent reduction. This would include the discontinuation of watering lawns in 18 neighborhood parks and a reduction of lifeguards at the beaches. Also, money for many of Kirkland’s summertime events could disappear, including funding for the downtown summer concert series, movies in the park, Shakespeare in the Park Program and free community-wide programs like the annual egg hunt in Peter Kirk Park and the polar plunge. Funding for the annual parade and fireworks display could be cut in half.
Several other positions, however, will be maintained through a reallocation system, including a graffiti abatement position and the city’s state lobbyist. In addition, because of the increased demand for services, funding for human services will stay at its current level.
The council will discuss the budget cuts further at an Oct. 30 meeting, from 3-9 p.m. Council is expected to adopt its final budget Dec. 16.
In addition to the proposed budget reductions, the city plans to increase property and utility taxes next year and will ask voters to decide whether to raise taxes onprivate utilities by 1.5 percent, or about $5.90 per average homeowner.
Carrie Wood can be reached at cwood@kirklandreporter.com or 425-822-9166, ext. 5050
