SeaTac will draw down its budget reserves by $11 million next year to pay for several building projects, according to the city's 2007 preliminary budget presented to lawmakers Nov. 14.

The city plans to replace the McMicken Heights fire station, make improvements at Valley Ridge Park, add a community recreation room at the new Bow Lake Elementary School and place a concert band shell over the stage at Angle Lake Park.

Even with the decrease, SeaTac will still have $50.6 million in reserves.

Finance director Mike McCarty told council members that with a beginning fund balance of $61.2 million, the city expects to spend $58.9 million with revenues of $48.3 million in all budgets.

In the general operating budget, revenues are projected to be slightly ahead of expenditures.

The proposed general operating budget calls for $26 million in revenues and $25.9 million in expenses.

"There is no significant reduction in services or staffing levels and no new taxes," McCarty noted.

He estimated that employees will receive wage increases of about 4 percent. Medical insurance premiums are expected to rise by 6 percent.

About 46 percent of the city's sales tax revenue comes from airlines, rental car facilities, and parking lots, McCarty added.

Because the overall valuation in SeaTac has increased, property tax rates are likely to decline from $2.77 per $1,000 of assessed value to about $2.59.

The city council will hold a public hearing on the budget Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. in city hall, 4800 S. 188th St.

Lawmakers are expected to pass the 2007 budget following the hearing.

Councilman Joe Brennan said he would vote against the proposed budget because it does not add funds to staff an emergency aid car at all times.

Money for the aid car was part of a property tax levy increase measure narrowly defeated by voters Sept. 19.

The levy lid lift would have also funded replacement of two fire stations.

Council members decided March 28 to pay for replacing the McMicken Heights station out of reserve funds. They budgeted $2 million for the project this year and $2.1 million in 2007.

The station at 3521 S. 170th St. will be the department's headquarters. Four adjoining residential properties will be acquired to expand the station.

In other action, lawmakers also approved the final plat for a new subdivision on the north end of Angle Lake near 37th Avenue South.

Traditions at Angle Lake will contain 16 homes.

Although neighbors previously had complained about the removal of trees by the developer, there was no public opposition at last week's meeting.

Council members also OK'd regulations for automated cameras that will be set up at arterial intersections and near schools to detect vehicles running red lights or speeding in school zones.

Assistant city attorney Julia Yoon said the cameras will be operating by Dec. 1. Warning letters will be sent to detected violators for the first month. Beginning Jan. 1, police will issue tickets with a $101 basic fine.

The tickets will be sent to the registered owners of vehicles photographed by the cameras running a red light or speeding.

At an earlier council meeting, police Chief Greg Dymerski said the cameras will be moved around the city.

The ticket will not go on the owners' record and will not be considered a moving violation. Only rear license plates will be photographed.