Consider attending one of these upcoming community meetings if you would like to add your voice to the City of Tacoma's 2015-16 budget planning process. Naomi Strom-Avila Cultural Arts Specialist City of Tacoma 747 Market Street, Room 900 Tacoma, WA 98402 253.591.5191 [cid:image002.jpg@01CF9540.DC2D0FE0]News Release >From the City of Tacoma, Washington cityoftacoma.org<http://www.cityoftacoma.org> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2014 MEDIA CONTACT Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org<mailto:gschuler@cityoftacoma.org>, (253) 591-5160 Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org<mailto:maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org>, (253) 591-2054 Community Budget Input Meetings Scheduled July 14 - August 7 As the City of Tacoma develops its 2015-2016 Biennial Budget, members of the community are invited to participate in the following upcoming budget input meetings: Date Time Meeting Location July 14, 2014 6 - 8 p.m. District 3 - Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler St., Tacoma, WA 98405 July 17, 2014 6 - 8 p.m. District 1 - Wheelock Library, 3722 N. 26th St., Tacoma, WA 98407 July 24, 2014 6 - 8 p.m. District 5 - Birney Elementary School, 1202 S. 76th St. Tacoma, WA 98408 August 4, 2014 6 - 8 p.m. District 4 - Lincoln High School, 701 S. 37th St., Tacoma, WA 98418 August 7, 2014 6 - 8 p.m. District 2 - Stadium High School, 111 N. E St., Tacoma, WA 98403 Revenues are projected to grow at 2 percent, but expenses are projected to grow at a faster rate. In order to maintain the levels of service provided by the City's General Fund today, the difference between revenues and expenses is projected to be approximately $6 million in 2015-2016. This shortfall increases substantially if the City were to address deferred maintenance issues that have been delayed and provide funding for other capital and services. The City is looking for ways to close the gap between revenues and expenditures by balancing the need for savings with the effective delivery of core services. Additionally, the City is working to prioritize funding between existing services, deferred maintenance, and new and expanded services. A second series of Budget Input Meetings is anticipated to begin in mid-October, shortly after a Proposed 2015 - 2016 Biennial Budget has been transmitted to the City Council. ###