The city of Vancouver approved its second 2017 supplemental budget Monday evening. These supplemental budgets occur annually to reflect any changes to revenues or expenditures after the biennial budget is approved.
The 2017 supplemental budget included an expenditure adjustment of $38.9 million and an additional 2.75 full-time employees.
Of the $38.9 million adjustment, $22.6 million is attributed to the city’s operating budget with the remaining balance related to the capital budget. The net impact to city resources is $5.9 million while the impact on the general fund is $2.1 million.
Here are five numbers of note from this budget:
$4.6 million: The city is allocating general fund money to purchase the former state Fish and Wildlife building at 2018 Grand Blvd. with the intent to convert the facility into a day center for homeless people. The center could open as soon as January. City staff indicate that while the initial financing of the purchase will come from the general fund, Vancouver expects Community Development Block Grants, Affordable Housing funds and real estate excise tax funds to make up the financing.
$0.7 million: Tower Mall was purchased by the city in June for $5 million. While a moratorium on development was extended through May 2018, the city needs to invest in the site’s upkeep. Allocated funds will pay for safety assessments, including fire alarm testing, mold abatement and HVAC repairs. The financing comes from on-site lease revenues.
Key Figures in 2017 Supplemental Budget
• $4.6 million: Day center purchase.
•$0.7 million: Tower Mall safety assessments.
•2.75 FTE: New positions in planning, public works.
• $900,000: Reduction of Tennis Center budget.
•$2.4 million: Acquisition of park land in north Vancouver.
2.75 FTE: The Community and Economic Development department has used a consultant to fulfill its needs for a grant associate planner. One FTE or full-time equivalent position will be allocated to CED to hire its own staffer rather than continue to pay a consultant.
A second full-time employee will be added to the Public Works Department. Necessitated by the purchase of Tower Mall, the city will hire a new supervisor to oversee facilities maintenance contracts for new building purchases, including Tower Mall and the day center properties. The position is for three years.
A staffer in the Clark County-Vancouver Commute Trip Reduction Program was kept onboard thanks to a continuing grant for 2018. Natasha Ramras, interim chief financial officer, said the position has been ongoing, but it’s removed from the budget until the city knows it has received the grant to fund the position.
$900,000: The amount Vancouver cut from the Tennis Center’s $1.2 million budget. The city will no longer manage the center as of March when it hands over the reins to the United States Tennis Association.
But Ramras said that could change. Rather than have USTA collect money and operate self-sufficiently, the city could still have a role in the center’s management.
“It’s likely to have to run through us anyway because they are seen as more of an agent of the city,” she said.
$2.4 million: A 45-acre parcel of land in north Vancouver could become a park in the city’s fifth district if the city is able to successfully negotiate a deal. Ramras said city staff have identified their ideal parcel for the area, but won’t have more information for residents until next year when negotiations are complete.
Funding for land acquisition comes from park impact fees, which are paid by developers. The money can only be used to purchase land in Vancouver to develop into parks.
“This is the area in the northern part of the city where we don’t have a lot of parks,” she said.
