Kirkland Budget Information

November 15 Study Session: 2011-12 Budget Update Presentation

November 15 Council Meeting:
Public Hearings on Budget & Property Tax Levies

2011-12 Budget Document

2011-2012 Service Reductions

2011-12 Budget in Brief

Council Agenda Items
Related to Budget

Budget Update Notification
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Finance Department
123 5th Ave
Kirkland WA, 98033
Budget E-mail
425-587-3100 (Main)
425-587-3110 (Fax)

Kirkland Council Adopts Two-Year Budget; Service Reductions Take Effect January 1

Kirkland, WA – At its December 7 meeting, the Kirkland City Council adopted the 2011-2012 Budget, the 2011-2016 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the 2011 Property Tax Levy. The two-year budget totals approximately $449 million which is a 12.8% increase from the previous biennial budget due to increases in revenue and expenditures in the annexation area. The Budget is comprised of 24 separate funds that are independently balanced (i.e. revenues equal expenditures). The CIP is a six-year plan that addresses construction, repair, maintenance and acquisition of major capital facilities and equipment to improve transportation, utilities, parks, and buildings in the City. The Property Tax Levy establishes the total dollars in property tax to be received by the City, which is translated into a rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The 2011-12 budget is currently available online. To view the legislation adopted by the Council and the video of the meeting, visit the “Watch City Council Meetings” webpage.

Guide to Kirkland's Budget

The City’s Budget is composed of 24 separate funds that are balanced independently—revenues equal expenditures. The City's budget is divided into four primary sections—General Government, Water/Sewer Utility, Surface Water Utility, and Solid Waste Utility. Within each primary section there are operating and non-operating funds, with the exception of the Solid Waste Utility which is comprised of an operating fund only.

General government operating funds account for services to the public including public safety, street maintenance, land use, parks and administrative functions. Taxes, fees and charges, and contributions from other governments are the primary finance sources for general government non-operation funds account for debt service, capital improvements and reserves related to these operating funds.

Like the general government funds, the Water/Sewer Utility and the Surface Water Utility both have operating and non-operating components. Distinct from the general government funds, each of the utilities operates much the same as a business (enterprise), with customer charges (rates) supporting all costs. Resources of the utilities cannot be used to subsidize general government functions.