Politics & Government

Email to the Editor: Take a Look Back at the City of Enumclaw's 2012 Accomplishments

Enumclaw City Councilman Darrel Dickson gives citizens a rundown of the city's achievements in the last year and a look ahead to what's coming up this new year.

We're at the beginning of the New Year in the City of Enumclaw!

As one of your City Councilman, I would like to let you know of some of the City of Enumclaw’s achievements from this last year.

• A police position that had been frozen for several years was authorized for fulfillment.

• An additional two police officers were hired for 2013 replacing officers from 2012.

• The City’s 2013 budget includes $250,000 for road improvements.

• Your public works committee is continuing to work on establishing a Transportation Benefit District with the goal of establishing a permanent funding source for our road construction needs within the city.

• Our Public Works Director obtained a $470,342 grant for three projects in Enumclaw, a pavement overlay of 244th Avenue from SE 440th to SE 448th Street, a pavement overlay of Battersby from Railroad Street to Porter Street, and new sidewalk construction along Semanski Street, South of Warner Avenue.

• The transfer of our library to KCLS was completed. This does affect the City’s banked tax capacity from $1 million plus down to approximately $500,000 annually, but it has insured the continued operation and funding of our public library.

• Regulations were reduced on small home additions that previously triggered costly street improvements for small construction projects.

• The city worked with local businesses to approve signage directing traffic to some of our local downtown attractions.

• A design for a City of Enumclaw monument sign was approved that will be placed off of 410 at Warner Avenue.

• The Senior Center received a grant of $99,999 for needed physical improvements at our Senior Center including electrical, plumbing, and entrance upgrades.

• The Enumclaw Senior Center began a program called “Neighbors Feeding Neighbors”, which is now being implemented.

• The 2013 City budget continues contributions to our Senior Center, Plateau Outreach ministry, and Enumclaw youth and Family Services which helps many of our local residents in need.

• The City is in receipt of proposals for golf course operations, which will be under review in the coming months.

These are just some of the things that your City Staff, Council, and volunteers have accomplished this last year. As a city we need to find a permanent way to fund our street improvements for our aging roadways. We need to have a solution to help with the financial losses at our golf course and Expo Center, and create a surplus to provide for the capital needs at both facilities. Find Creative ways to stimulate an increase of jobs and construction activity within our community. Both of these are needed to fund our aging City infrastructure, and commitments on newer City facilities, such as our waste water treatment plant. However, with our great City Staff and Council working together, all are achievable.

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I would like to say thanks to our administration and public servants for all of their hard work this last year. I look forward to another great year in 2013!

Please email any of your comments that you have that can improve our wonderful community.

Find out what's happening in Enumclawwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Darrel Dickson, Enumclaw City Councilman

DDickson@ci.enumclaw.wa.us


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