The 2015 Coupeville town draft budget reflects an increase in staffing for the planning department, something Mayor Nancy Conard says she thinks residents will appreciate.

Within the $6.2 million operating budget, the department will see an increase to 1.5 employees. Currently the town planner is a part-time contracted position.

There is also a part-time contracted position that will change into a town employee position. This position assists in dealing with public questions and processing permits.

Conard said transitioning from contracted to town employees is being done to improve continuity within the department.

Increasing one of the positions will provide a little bit better coverage so there’s always someone there for the public, she said.

This is just one of several budget changes reflected in the draft, which is available for public review now.

A budget hearing is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, during the regular town council meeting.

The proposed budget reflects a 1 percent property tax increase, which was approved last month. That increase generates an estimated $3,500 for the town.

The town will continue to fully cover the cost of health insurance for all its employees, including the 5 percent premium rate increase.

In addition to a 2 percent raise, Conard said she sees the town absorbing the 5 percent insurance cost increase as an additional raise for employees.

The town also gives each employee $400 monthly to cover the cost to insure dependents or cover medical costs.

With changes to the marshal’s office, the town is also seeing a savings.

The town signed a contract with the Island County Sheriff’s Office in early 2014 to provide police services. This eliminated four staff positions and all of the associated costs.

The 2015 budget allots $533,000 for that contract.

Conard said that’s a savings of roughly $27,000.

The town will also spend some money to update policies and continue projects such as the Front Street one-way conversion.

A projected $487,000 fund balance is anticipated at the end of 2015. Per town policy a $200,000 balance is required.

Conard said she has recommended the town council explore ideas for using some of those leftover balance dollars.

“We need to update our six-year capital improvement plan,” she said. “We’re scheduled to do that early next year and I suggested after we complete that, we revisit how to use those funds.”

n Copies of the draft budget are available at Town Hall or it can be viewed online at www.townofcoupeville.org/reference_files/budget15.pdf