MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake's 2012 preliminary budget reveals the city is on solid - if cautious - financial footing.

The total city budget of approximately $63 million is nearly $16 million less than in 2011 due in large part to fewer construction projects, City Manager Joe Gavinski told city council members during a budget workshop last week.

The proposed 2012 budget maintains all current programs, departmental budgets and employees, with the addition of three new police officers, one new water/sewer employee and a new EMT.

This is in spite of the local effects of a down economy, continuing decreases in state funding and restrictions on property tax collection Gavinski said.

"Despite these challenges, the city's financial position is relatively stable, primarily due to the increased industrial development in and around the city and the additional property taxes receipted by the city," he stated in a preamble to the preliminary budget.

Proposed police department and fire department budgets together equal about 36 percent of the city's proposed $15,116,200 general fund budget for the coming year, leaving 64 percent for all other city departments, Gavinski stated; adding last year's general fund budget was $14,490,400.

The 2012 budget contains a 1 percent property tax increase, but taxpayers could see a reduction next year in the $8.25 monthly ambulance utility fee per water/sewer/garbage account, which subsidizes the operation of the city's ambulance service and will be reviewed in 2012.

City council members discussed at length the need for several expenditures, including a $275,000 street striping machine Gavinski said was deemed a necessary, if expensive, purchase as the current striper was bought in 1979 and is in severe disrepair.

"There are many other requests made that were taken out," Gavinski said. "This was the most important stuff based on the pleas that were presented to me."

Gavinski gathered additional input from council members like Bill Ecret, who asked whether more money could be set aside in a contingency fund, currently set at $581,000, to buffer the city from unforeseen events. Gavinski said he'll look at making adjustments to possibly put $500,000 more into the fund.

Other council members commented on a variety of line items including proposed parks projects, suggested street repairs and the possibility of a firing range for the Moses Lake Police Department.

"The reality is sometimes you only have so much money and you've got to choose where your priorities are for the year," Gavinski cautioned. He added the preliminary budget is dynamic and can be amended at the end of 2011 after city officials get a more accurate reading of ending fund balances.

The city council will hold a public hearing tonight during their regular 7 p.m. meeting before considering approval of the preliminary budget's first reading.

The 2012 preliminary budget is available for review at www.ci.moses-lake.wa.us under the "financial reports" tab to the left of the page.