Burien city officials touted the preliminary budget for 2009 - 2010 as a fiscally conservative one at the council meeting on Oct. 6.

"We're in a heck of a transition," said City Manger Mike Martin. "Because of the volatility of the market and economic situation, the budget we have is conserved and balanced."

Martin credited this achievement to "generally good management" on the part of the council.

He noted this is Burien's first biennial budget, meaning it covers the next two fiscal years, starting on Jan. 1, 2009 to Dec. 21, 2010.

The 2009 - 2010 budget totals $75.9 million over the span of both years, according to official documents. The money will go toward the following funds:

49 percent or $37.5 million goes toward the general fund

27 percent or $20.9 million goes toward capital project funds

20 percent or $14.8 million goes toward special revenue funds

4 percent or $3 million goes toward debt service funds

Notable budget increases for 2009 - 2010 will be:

$120,000 for a new district court contract

$170,000 for a new jail contract

$69,000 for election expenses

$67,000 for the northeast redevelopment project

$25,000 for six new park facilities

$22,000 for custodial utilities at the new city hall facility that will open in spring 2009

$30 million for the King County Sheriff contract

Explaining the budget in detail were newly hired finance director, Tabatha Miller - working her 11th day on the job - and accounting manager Gary Coleman.

Miller informed the council where Burien's money is.

She said that infrastructure was the largest investment, at $34.3 million, and that Burien has $91 million in assets consisting of land, buildings and machinery.

Miller also said that Burien has $12.3 million in cash, and most of that is in a local government investment pool earning interest at 2.93 percent.

The pool currently has $6 billion, which includes investments made by other participating local governments.

"We are still bringing in more revenue than we are spending," Miller said confidently.

Both Martin and Miller credited the timeliness of the budget summary to Coleman.

"Without him, the [budget] wouldn't be here," Miller said.

Councilwoman Sue Blazak said that the budget summary has become easier to read every year.

"I appreciate the efforts the finance department makes to make it more readable and easier to understand," she said.

Councilwoman Sally Nelson said she appreciated the timeliness of the summary and the conservative budget.

"These are turbulent times and the perfect storm has been created. It's a relief to know we have been fiscally conservative," Nelson said.

Officials are hoping to pass the budget before Thanksgiving.

The full summary can be checked out at city hall for $25 or viewed online at http://www.ci.burien.wa.us/.