BELLEVUE, Wash. -- One of the wealthiest cities in Washington state is battling its budget.
The mayor blames a shortfall on a lack of new development in the city. New apartments are going up on Main Street in downtown Bellevue, but construction is not what is once was. Construction projects are down, resulting in a 16 percent sales tax reduction -- an all time low for Bellevue.
The city council will shave a $16 million shortfall from its general fund. The city has $323 million in its general fund. It will likely dip into its rainy day fund in order to maintain human services and public safety. A final budget vote will be made Monday night.
"When you used to look at our skyline, you could see 20 cranes. Now there are two. Bellevue is no different from any other city trying to weather the storm," said Mayor Don Davidson.
On the chopping block are 22 city administration jobs, a 12 percent reduction in community center hours and a moratorium on construction projects.
Daniel Brown is a project manager in the construction industry since 2000. He's hoping to secure an apartment contract next year in Bellevue.
"It's all what the market will hold. I have friends that have been looking for work for two years," said Brown. "Look around. There's not much work going on in Bellevue right now or anywhere else. We turn down 3, 4 people a day that are asking for work. That's an indication how bad the industry was hit."
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