The Burien City Council has begun its review of a preliminary budget for 2006.

The proposed spending plan maintains and enhances the current level of services using existing revenue sources. It also provides for investment in capital projects such as Town Square.

A six-year financial plan adopted by the city council in August, which prioritizes community projects and lists available anticipated funding, is the foundation for the proposed budget..

More than 70 percent of the $14 18 million planned for the city's 2006 operating budget is targeted for public safety, public works, and parks and recreation.

Primary sources of revenue are the sales tax, property tax and utility tax, accounting for 62 percent of city operating revenues.

Council members will review the preliminary budget at their regularly scheduled Monday night meetings. Adoption of the final 2006 budget is scheduled for their Nov. 21 meeting.

A public hearing on the proposed budget was held at the November 7 council meeting.

New projects in the proposed budget include:

An additional $70,000 for human support services in the community to replace lost federal funding;

Partnering with the Highline School District to hire a school resource officer who will be stationed in Highline High School; and,

Additional city staff to help meet greater demand for building-related permits as a result of increased economic development in Burien.

Burien will continue to fund priority capital projects, including Town Square, with existing revenue and expected state and federal grants. The First Avenue South Improvement Project has been funded and will begin next year.

A recently adopted Parks Facilities and Program Plan calls for the city to buy the existing King County System Library after a new regional library opens in Town Square in 2007 or 2008.

The city plans to convert the library building into a community activity center that will include the senior program.

Funds have been earmarked in the capital improvements budget for the library project.

The facilities plan also includes replacement of the Burien Community Center over the next several years, a project that will require a voter-approved bond issue.

Copies of the preliminary budget are available for review at Burien City Hall, 415 S.W. 152nd St., weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.