PORT ANGELES – The city of Port Angeles may increase property taxes and add traffic enforcement cameras to pay for a new code enforcement program.

This week, the city council voted 4-3 to move ahead with the multi-part plan to raise money for its general fund, and ultimately a code enforcement program. Under one part of the proposal, the city would raise its property tax levy by three percent for one year. That rate would be subject to the authorized one percent increase every year after that.

Mayor Sissi Bruch says there is a real need for code enforcement in Port Angeles, but the city has to find a way to pay for it.

The levy lid lift would have to be approved by voters.

Staff also proposed adding traffic light enforcement cameras as a way to raise more revenue. The proposal also included using fines and fees to help pay for code enforcement.

Bruch says all of the money raised would most likely go to fund the code compliance program.

The city scrapped its code enforcement in 2012 due to budget issues. But the city council has said bringing back code compliance is a priority this year provided there is a way to pay for it.