Received a voicemail from a reader this morning, complaining that Ocean Shores does not accept credit card payments for Street LID assessments, that if she did a credit card payment through another agency she would get charged a convenience fee, and that she got bounced around when trying to complain about this. I called City Hall, and got the City Clerk. She said, “We’re not set up to take credit card payments.” Nope, not for your monthly utility bills, not even for the $40 million of Street LID payments. She did confirm that an outside agency will handle credit card payments, but that a “convenience fee” would be charged. How much is the convenience fee?

“I have no idea,” she answered. “You can call them yourself and find out.”

Finance Director Mike Folkers said the Ambulance Utility will not be continued in 2011. The first two drafts of the 2011 budget had this utility (a.k.a “the toilet tax”) continuing through 2011. The Ambulance Utility will end at the end of this December.

Dear tax payers: Folks, thanks so much for voting “yes” on the EMS and Library lid lifters (way to lift those lids!). Oh, and of course, thanks in advance for those Street LID payments (trust us: every penny of that $44 million is accounted for!).  Now let’s talk 2011: we’re going to need just a little bit more of your hard-earned money. C’mon, just 1 percent, don’t be stingy! And don’t make a fuss, no one likes complainers! Again: trust us. We really, really need it, and we oh-so-very-much promise to spend it wisely.

Stay prosperous,

Your Local Government

From the council agenda for Monday, Nov. 15, 6 p.m., Convention Center:

With the EMS and Library property tax increases that were narrowly approved by voters, Ocean Shores will collect a total of nearly $800,000 more in property taxes in 2011, compared to 2011. (The “2011 Recommended Budget” calls for a “continuation of the EMS ambulance Utility,” dubbed by unhappy hotels and motels “the toilet tax.”) With the new construction of 2010 added to the 1 percent property tax increase the Mayor is asking for, that adds another $50,000-$100,000, 2011 over 2010.

At yesterday’s budget study session, Mayor Garland French said the City of Ocean Shores has total assessments for the Street LID of “around a half million dollars.” Mike Folkers, the finance director, said these will be paid annually. City Hall, for example, has a $60,000 Street LID payment, in its 2011 budget. Copies of  budget up-dates and the third quarter financial report that were referred to were not provided to the press and/or a handful of public spectators. A “recommended 2011 budget” is now posted on the City’s web site here. The budget “includes a 1 percent property tax increase,” French writes, in a cover letter. Also from the Mayor’s cover letter: the budget “also includes a property tax levy of 0.22 cents per thousand of assessed value for the Library, 0.35 cents for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and continuation of the EMS Ambulance Utility of approximately $2.38 per month per billing unit. ‘

August budget study session (from northcoastnews.com archives): “Dave Creighton just said, to the department heads present (Mike Styner, Police/Fire; Ken Lanfear, Public Works; latecomer Ken Mercer, Convention Center): “This is going to be the hardest budget that staff has ever gone through. I’m going to nail you guys for every single dime. This budget will be council driven, not staff-driven
“I don’t feel in the last few years we have done a very good job in budgeting . . .
“I believe it’s about time we took control of the budget and decide where the money is going.”

Yesterday’s budget study session: Creighton expressed satisfaction that “we have a balanced budget.” He offered few, if any, objections, or requests for details from department heads.

All day long . . .

But it wouldn’t be until 2012: At the Monday night City Council meeting, council will consider reducing the Mayor’s $99,600 salary, and creating a City Administrator position. The salary would not be reduced until January, 2012. In January, 2008, by Resolution 585, City Council established the Mayor’s salary of $500 per month, or $6,000 per year. After he took office six months later, Dean Bunkers asked for $8,000 per month, and full benefits. Council unanimously approved it.

According to a press release just issued, “The City Councils of the City of Hoquiam and Ocean Shores will consider a short-term agreement to provide financial management services to the City of Ocean Shores beginning September 1. ”
“The resignation of Ocean Shores Finance Director Art Wuerth created the opportunity to consider other methods of delivering essential public services.