Budget

Medical Lake’s General Fund is funded primarily from revenues received through property and sales tax, along with other various state taxes. Sales tax has increased due to more online purchases. Property tax has not kept up with rising costs. While our property tax bill looks substantial, only 15% of the amount paid is returned to the City. State, County, and Library get 85% of your property taxes.

Medical Lake’s budget is comprised primarily of three funds: The General Fund is responsible for the executive branch, legislative branch, public safety, code enforcement, and parks and recreation departments; the Enterprise Fund which are those funds that charge monthly fees which are the Water/Sewer Fund and Garbage Fund; and the Street Fund which is a Special Revenue Fund and is supported by gas tax revenue and transfers in from the General Fund. Revenue from the Enterprise Fund cannot be used for General Fund services and vice-versa. For 2021, the City’s anticipated expenditures are as follows:

General Fund: $2,465,488.

Street Fund: $734,223. and currently includes two grant-funded projects

Water/Sewer Fund: $2,022,243.

Garbage Fund: $628,309.

The General Fund is funded primarily from revenues received through property and sales tax. Sales tax has increased due to more online purchases. Property tax has not kept up with rising costs. While our property tax bill looks substantial, only 15% of the amount paid is returned to the City. Schools, State, County and Library get 85% of your property taxes.

The General Fund ending balance which becomes the beginning balance for 2022 is anticipated to be $825,322.

The total number of full-time city employees is 19. Our City personnel work tirelessly year-round maintaining all equipment, facilities, and essential services. Some part time employees work seasonally or with parks and recreation, for example, referees, timekeepers, park employees.

Water

During the summer months, the City’s wells are insufficient to replenish the City’s reservoir. Medical Lake has entered into an agreement with the City of Spokane to have water available if an emergency occurs. We encourage all citizens to conserve water where they are able to do so.

Public Safety

Fire: Medical Lake residents voted to annex into Spokane County Fire District 3 in August 2019. SCFD3 now has a fire station staffed full-time by career firefighters. The fire station is adjacent to City Hall. The result has improved response times and there have been no missed calls for service which had risen to almost 25% prior to annexation.

Police:  The City contracts its police services with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and has done so since 2009.  The contract calls for one SCSO Deputy to be on-duty twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week excluding mutual aid calls.  The City’s crime rate remains low compared to other West Plains cities.