Washougal’s financial picture brightens

So far this year for the city of Washougal, revenues have increased while expenditures have decreased.

During a review of the first two quarters, Finance Director Jennifer Forsberg told the City Council the 2015 revenues are at 54.2 percent of the budget.

The city has received $794,456 in retail sales taxes/criminal justice fees, which is a 21.1 percent increase from the second quarter in 2014.

Forsberg guessed that part of the increase could be attributed to the May 2014 relocation of the Westlie Ford parts and service departments from Camas to Washougal.

Other increases were seen in the areas of regular property taxes (5.2 percent), leasehold and gambling taxes (3.3 percent), licenses and permits (3.8 percent), state shared revenues/entitlements (5.8 percent), animal control fees (15.2 percent), sub division/zoning/planning fees (25.4 percent) and interest and rents (41.8 percent).

Expenditures so far this year, are at 46 percent of the budgeted amount.

Estimated revenues and expenditures for 2016 are expected to be presented to City Council Monday, Sept. 28, with additional discussions during the Oct. 12 workshop.

Mayor Sean Guard’s budget for the city is scheduled to be presented Monday, Oct. 26.

Meanwhile, the city council approved the issuance of bonds to pay for improvements at the wastewater treatment plant.
The project will move forward, after $10.82 million in water/sewer revenue bonds are issued.

Washougal is under mandate from the Department of Ecology to construct improvements at the plant located at 3900 state Route 14.

The project will receive $1 million in a state legislative appropriation.