City Budget 2005 - 2006

"I am pleased to present the 2005-2006 budget. This budget reflects the hard work and effort made by the City Council, City management and staff in their struggle to provide for the basic services expected by our citizens. A lackluster economy combined with the impacts of voter-approved initiatives have hampered our ability to provide adequate funding for many of our programs in this biennium.

Although we are beginning to see a modest turnaround in the local economy, rising healthcare premiums, pension fund obligations and surging fuel prices continue to outpace revenues. Our challenge continues to be providing for those basic essential service levels with very limited resources.

The City of Longview’s General Fund budget for the 2005-2006 biennium totals $51.9 million. To provide residents with essentially the same level of services as was provided in the 2003-2004 biennium, it was necessary to draw upon reserves. The $1.2 million shortfall in the 2005-2006 budget has been bridged by the use of reserves.

Despite the existing economic climate I am confident that our history of dedicated leadership, quality management and skilled staff will allow us to overcome this current economic storm and restore Longview’s financial health and fiscal well being."

The City of Longview 2005-2006 budget document is available in PDF format and is broken down by its various sections below. A free copy of the budget is available on CD by request .

Note : To view either of these budgets you must first have installed the free Adobe Acrobat Reader .