The city of Battle Ground is preparing for the budget battle now that City Manager Erin Erdman has submitted her staff’s 2022 recommendations to the city council.
The $55 million balanced budget includes the city’s general operating, utilities and capital funds.
The council will review and discuss the proposed budget at upcoming meetings and hold a series of public hearings before adopting a final budget in December.
Public hearings are scheduled for Nov. 1, Nov. 15 and Dec. 6. Members of the public will be able to comment on the budget during these meetings.
Planning for the 2022 budget began in January when Erdman and department heads completed a five-year comprehensive needs assessment. According to a press release from the city, the team took a conservative approach when forecasting revenues and expenditures.
“Our strategic planning process ensures we are allocating resources carefully, with a focus on efficient operations and long-term sustainability,” Erdman said in the press release. “A single year’s budget can impact future years’ service levels — it’s our job to make sure those impacts are positive.”
The council’s goals and priorities, which the city said were based on community input and values, will determine how the budget is allocated. Budget recommendations include increased funding for street preservation projects, public safety and beautification.
The proposed capital budget includes several transportation projects to improve safety and the flow of traffic, the release said. The city expects to receive $8.9 million in grant funds to help pay for the projects.
Project list
The project list includes improvements to the intersection at West Main Street and 15th Avenue; at Northwest 12th Avenue and First Street; construction of additional turn lanes at the Highway 502/503 intersection; and the addition of a pedestrian pathway along Highway 503 between Main Street and Northwest Onsdorff Boulevard.
To access the city manager’s recommended budget, a calendar of city council meetings, and more information related to the budget process, visit the city’s online Guide to the 2022 Budget Process at www.cityofbg.org/2022Budget.
