Government

Gig Harbor City Council moves to two-year budget cycle

The Gig Harbor City Council voted unanimously Monday night to switch from a one-year budget cycle to a two-year cycle.

The city used a similar two-year process most recently from 2015-2018. Biennial budgeting worked well during that time period, city Finance Director Dave Rodenbach said, but the council opted to adopt an annual budget process in June 2018.

A two-year budget saves time for both staff and council members, Rodenbach said. It takes less time to prepare and approve one 24-month budget than it does to prepare two 12-month budgets.

A two-year budget encourages strategic thinking and planning over multiple years. And it insulates the budget from political influence, because state law requires biennial budgets to be adopted in even-numbered (non-election) years.

Rodenbach acknowledged that there are also some disadvantages to a two-year budget, including uncertainty in forecasting revenues and expenditures further into the future.

The ordinance was approved 7-0, without any council discussion.

Opioid settlement

The council authorized an agreement allowing Gig Harbor to join the settlement of a lawsuit brought by other Washington cities against opioid manufacturers and distributors.

According to Interim City Administrator Tony Piasecki, the cities filed suit several years ago and are now engaged in settlement discussions. Although Gig Harbor was not a part of the lawsuit, the other cities and the defendants would like as many Washington cities as possible to be part of the final settlement.

Gig Harbor will receive a share of the settlement amount, to be used for specific purposes related to the impacts of the opioid crisis. The city will not be able to file its own lawsuit against the makers and distributors of opioids, Piasecki said.

Farewell to Tony Piasecki

After the meeting was adjourned, council members thanked Piasecki for his service.

“You brought years and years of experience to Gig Harbor, and you also brought calmness, confidence and kindness,” Councilwoman Jeni Woock said.

Councilwoman Mary Barber added that “leaders come at exactly the time that they’re most needed,” and that Piasecki fit that description.

New City Administrator Linda Kelly takes the reins on Monday, April 18.

Interim City Administrator Tony Piasecki with some of the farewell gifts he received at this week’s Gig Harbor City Council meeting.

Volunteer appreciation

Mayor Tracie Markley read a proclamation declaring April 19-25 Volunteer Appreciation Week. Members of one of the volunteer groups — Citizens Offering Police Support, or C.O.P.S. — were introduced by Chief Kelly Busey.

Busey said C.O.P.S. volunteers Tim Jones, Allen Beck, Diane Bertram, Ed Meyer and Larry Geringer give more than 1,000 hours every year enforcing disabled parking laws, helping at public events, running errands for the police department and other tasks.

Gig Harbor Police Chief Kelly Busey introduces C.O.P.S. volunteers, from left, Tim Jones, Allen Beck, Diane Bertram, Ed Meyer and Larry Geringer.