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Anacortes council hears finance, public works and public-safety updates; grants and potential water-reduction discussed
Summary
Council reports included year-to-date sales-tax growth and lodging-tax declines, the first phase of the city's Tyler ERP going live, a $250,000 planning grant for the 12th Avenue & K intersection, a possible voluntary 10% water reduction if Skagit River flows fall to about 10,000 cfs for more than two days, and an e-bike ordinance slated for an initial reading.
At its July 6 meeting the Anacortes City Council received several committee reports touching on city finances, transportation planning and public safety.
Council Member Hunt reported a finance committee briefing in late June in which staff said year-to-date sales tax is up while lodging tax is down. Hunt said the city’s FY25 annual audit is under way earlier than last year. Hunt also praised staff for managing the first phase of a Tyler enterprise-resource planning implementation that went live the same day; utility billing, HR and payroll modules are scheduled for later phases.
On public works, the council announced a $250,000 planning grant to study the 12th Avenue & K intersection and said the grant will fund preliminary design work (about 30% design). Staff will return with a scope and fee and is likely to bring the project to council in early August. Council members also said WSDOT must accept a signal-controller cabinet before final installation at 12th & Commercial.
Council members warned the city draws drinking water from the Skagit River and noted flows can fluctuate seasonally; if flows fall to about 10,000 cubic feet per second for more than two days the water department may ask residents to voluntarily reduce usage by 10% in coordination with Skagit PUD.
In public safety business, Council Member Hunt said she and Police Chief Floyd revised a draft e-bike ordinance staff hopes to present for an initial reading next Monday; the chief also described equipment under consideration that would let officers analyze suspected controlled-substance samples without opening packaging.
Procedural items: The council approved an eight-item consent agenda by voice vote with no objections. The meeting adjourned after a midyear presentation from Community Action of Skagit County.
What’s next: Staff will return with details on the 12th Avenue grant scoping and any council items tied to the Tyler ERP rollout and the proposed e-bike ordinance.
