News The preliminary budget for the City of Washougal is at an all time high of $51.17 million.
It includes $13.5 million for the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant at 3900 state Route 14.
The 2015 operating budget assumes that the council will adopt a one percent increase in the overall property tax levy, and that Proposition 5 will be approved by voters in the Nov. 4 General Election. That proposition would replace a levy lid lift that expired at the end of 2012.
Proposition 5 would support emergency medical and fire services, at a cost of 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Funding for an additional police officer and related public safety enhancements are also included in the preliminary budget. Proposition 6, on next week’s ballot, would provide funding to add the officer and pay for enhancements such as additional code enforcement efforts.
The six-year levy lid lift would cost 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
A proposal for use of the city’s unrestricted general fund reserves would involve $210,000 to complete repairs to a deteriorated portion of Lookout Ridge Drive.
