The Federal Way City Council adopted the 2021-22 biennial budget with a unanimous vote at its Dec. 1 meeting.
“This balanced budget delivers what the community expects and deserves — without raising taxes, laying off any city employees, or dipping into the general fund reserve, all while increasing the level of services,” said Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell. “I want to thank my policy partners on the City Council for their vision and commitment to Federal Way.”
With an emphasis on public safety and maintaining a clean and litter-free city, the biennial budget fully funds reserve accounts, invests in key information technology infrastructure, and allocates funding for improvements to the Community Center and Dumas Bay Centre, according to the city.
The city’s budget is $144,183,374 for 2021 and $121,334,609 for 2022.
On the public safety side, the budget fully funds the police department to respond to the current needs of the community, the city said.
The budget provides funding to add three officers to the force for 137 officers in total. However, the department has 131 members on staff as of Dec. 2. There are currently six vacancies (one vacant position on command staff and five officer vacancies), according to FWPD Cmdr. Kurt Schwan. Federal Way Police Department includes 111 officers, 13 lieutenants, four command staff, two deputy chiefs and one police chief.
The budget also provides ample funding for jail services.
“While other cities similar in size to Federal Way are facing budgetary challenges due to the economic downturn caused by the global pandemic, various actions the city has taken to generate solvency over the last few years has helped it remain on solid financial footing,” according to an announcement from the city.
Some money-saving actions include the departure from the SCORE Jail contract (about $2 million in savings) and the water and sewer tax judgement ($1 million in ongoing revenue). On Dec. 1, the city voted to rejoin SCORE Jail in a $175,000 contract, guaranteeing three inmate beds for Federal Way.
“Those forward-looking decisions have given us some much-needed cushion to help absorb the impact from the governor’s COVID-related shutdowns,” Ferrell said. Focusing on city beautification, the budget provides ongoing funds to maintain two full-time positions dedicated to cleaning up litter throughout the city, as well as funds to add a graffiti technician to address other issues.
Funding was also allocated for the “Eyes on Federal Way” customer service app, which allows residents to notify the city of any garbage, littler rogue shopping carts and other issues that need to be cleaned up. The app will be available on Dec. 15.
Upon the council’s request, several additions to the budget include various staff positions, such as: one position in economic development, a contract position in the planning department, an administrative assistant in information technology, and a half-time position for an inclusion and diversity program manager. A contract for a federal lobbyist was also approved in the final budget.
