Next year will be a busy year in North Bend. One way or the other, the city plans to get water rights and finish numerous projects that have been talked about for years, said Mayor Ken Hearing. Money is in the 2007 budget to either complete the state process required to obtain new water rights by mitigating the water lost by area streams and rivers to development or to buy water rights from Seattle if that fails, he said.

The City Council’s determination to get water rights and end the building moratorium means the city can move forward with several critical issues: construction of a roundabout at North Bend Way and Cedar Falls Avenue, construction of a traffic signal at Park and Bendigo, the intersection with the most collisions; completing the second phase of stormdrain projects to take excess water off streets during storms; continuing repaving and reconstruction of downtown streets and money to make the city prettier and more welcoming to visitors and business, said Elena Montgomery, city treasurer.

“I think we have done a lot with the money we have this year,” said Councilmember Jonathan Rosen.

“There’s nothing I like better than building stuff for the people we represent,” added Councilmember Dave Cook.

The City Council unanimously approved a nearly $19.5 million total budget Dec. 5. The budget includes nearly $4.8 million in the general fund, which pays for most vital city services such as police, fire protection, parks, planning and administration.