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Lynnwood finance staff map budget shortfall; Parks & Recreation faces staffing and program cuts
Summary
City finance staff told Lynnwood council on Wednesday that revised forecasts show a substantial mid‑biennium shortfall and outlined revenue and expenditure levers; Parks & Recreation director Joel Faber described staff consolidations, program reductions and vehicle surpluses the department has enacted to reduce costs.
City finance and department leaders on Wednesday outlined the depth of Lynnwood’s mid‑biennium budget shortfall and detailed the department‑level reductions administrators have already made, with Parks & Recreation among the most affected departments.
Finance Director Michelle Meyer presented updated forecasts showing adopted 2023–26 revenues of $155 million and expenditures of $158 million at adoption; current estimates project about $134.5 million in revenues and $146.3 million in expenditures for the biennium, leaving the city well below the minimum fund‑balance policy unless changes are made. "Our current estimate is 134,500,000 in revenues and 146,300,000 in expenditures," Meyer said.
Council members heard several revenue and expense levers staff are reviewing: property tax levy capacity (the city’s levy rate was stated at about 67¢ per $1,000 of assessed value, with an estimated lawful levy capacity near $11 million), sales‑tax volatility (the city’s largest revenue source), utility taxes and fee…
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