A number of items on the Mayor's proposed 2013-14 budget will affect the Ballard area.

The Ballard News-Tribune already reported on the mayor's proposed funding for the anti-youth violence programming initiative and extending high-capacity transit (e.g., trolley, light rail) from downtown to Ballard.

But that's not the whole story. Here are a few bullet points of what we can expect out of the mayor's budget:

• Funding for reducing storm water runoff -- Seattle Public utilities is expected to spend $215 million over the next six years on reducing combined sewer overflow, which primarily results from storm water events and is a major cause for pollution in the Puget Sound.

Ballardites will be familiar with what happened last time SPU tried to swing in to stave off stormwater in Ballard with rain gardens, which resulted in flooding for many people. SPU will be back in Ballard to do the same thing -- perhaps with a few lessons learned -- and are also considering a site for a large storage tank underground to hold stormwater.

• $300,000 will be dedicated to further study on the Missing Link, which was requested by the Hearing Examiner after Ballard businesses successfully appealed the proposed design to complete the Burke-Gilman Trail.
• Spending planned in the Solid Waste Fund to rebuild the North Transfer Station (for recycling and disposal) in the Fremont and Walingford area, between 2013-2016. This is to keep Seattle on track for its ever-increasing recycling rates.
• Full-time staff position to assist with greenway development and community outreach -- There has been a strong push in Ballard to install a greenway along 58th St NW. Community members are worried about effects on traffic, while proponents want a safe road for pedestrians, children and bicyclists to use. This position would possibly help implement greenways in Ballard and elsewhere.