REDMOND – The city’s budget committee unanimously passed a $90 million budget Thursday night, with 57 percent to be spent on improving city streets and the Redmond Airport, as well as expand water and sewer lines.

If approved by the city council on June 25, the budget will become effective July 1, according to Finance Director Chris Earnest. Last year, the city’s budget totaled $75 million.

Key items include:

– $22 million for the city’s wastewater and sewer fund will include three new employees to satisfy a mandate by the Department of Environmental Quality to treat the city’s storm drainage water. The city will spend $12 million to expand sewer lines, with $8 million of that coming from a state loan. The remaining $4 million will be paid through systems development charges, or SDCs.

”Obviously, we’re in a growing state, and there are needs out there we need to meet,” Earnest said.

– $15 million for the Redmond Airport, the majority targeted for improvements to the terminal ramp and taxiway. The airport will hire a certified diesel mechanic, and use additional money for more security, said Airport Manager Carrie Novick. Another project will reconstruct Airport Way. Of the $15 million, the airport will receive $9.5 million from the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as $720,000 from passenger facility charges.

– $10.3 million for transportation, including the city’s first payment of $3 million to the Oregon Department of Transportation for the beginning of the reroute of Highway 97.

– $8.5 million for the city’s water fund. Capital projects have been reduced by 39 percent from this fiscal year because less construction is scheduled, but a 20 percent increase in SDCs will help pay for new projects, including a pump station, reservoir and water line along Airport Way.

– $3.8 million to the police department. The department will hire one new officer next year, said Chief Lane Roberts. It will also receive money from the city for new lockers, storage area shelves and bar code equipment for its evidence room. Roberts also submitted a list totaling $54,000 of unfunded needs to the budget committee, including additional money for another officer, overtime pay, portable radios, digital cameras and a video camera.

– $3.35 million to the city’s fire department. A 17-percent increase in the budget from this fiscal year will allow the department to hire three new firefighters with 40-hour work weeks.

Budget

Parks slated to

get $2.4 million

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After the Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District No. 1 voiced concerns for equal coverage within the county last year, the fire department agreed to hire a total of six new firefighters by July, said Chief Ron Oliver. The new hires move the agreement with the district ahead one full year.

”We have a tremendous need in that area because of our call volume increases,” Oliver said.

– $3.3 million for additional capital improvements. Most of the money, $2.6 million from the fund, will help pay for the fire department’s new fire station. Another $664,000 will be spent to help expand and remodel the Redmond Senior Center.

– $2.4 million for city parks. The city will sell Ray Johnson Park to the state for about $1 million to make way for the highway reroute. Money the city earns from the sale will go towards the purchase of another park, also to be located on the city’s east side.

The budget committee also voted to give the Boys and Girls Club $2,500 for their efforts within the community. Committee members also decided to write a letter to Redmond Economic Development, asking them about its goals for the next year. The group’s efforts could enable them to receive more than the budgeted $20,000 if the committee agrees in the future.

”It shows we’re fiscally responsible by making them accountable,” said Melissa Stofko, committee member. ”I just think by having some criteria or expectation -I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.”

Jenny Slater can be reached at 541-504-2336 or jslater@bendbulletin.com.