Clark Country Budget Hearing Set To June 16

In a work session on May 18, the Board called for a public hearing tentatively set for June 16, with changes to take effect July 1. The goal is to prevent a deficit related to an economic downturn that has proved steeper than expected since the 2009-2010 budget was adopted in early December.

“We knew this was going to be a tough budget cycle, but it is turning out to be tougher than tough,” said Board Chair Marc Boldt. “I am personally calling on our staff, contractors, community partners and citizens to be both strong and patient in working together to pull us through this difficult time.”

County Administrator Bill Barron said the plan is aimed at adjusting to lower revenue forecasts, budgeting for reduced workload in Community Development and preparing for increased expenses in some categories, such as unemployment compensation.

Key parts of the proposal will include:

Department of Community Development: $5 million combination of fee increases and staff reductions (about 20). The fee increases are intended to improve cost recovery. The potential staffing changes are related to the slowdown in development and construction as well as downward pressure on the county’s General Fund, which serves as the primary operating fund.

Other General Fund Departments: $4.5 million (about 3 percent) in reduced general fund support for all departments from July 2009 through December 2010. Departments will work to minimize the impacts on jobs and services.

Real Estate Excise Tax: $3.6 million redirected to pay on previous capital investments; delay future capital investments.

Public Employees’ Retirement System: $2.7 million reduction in investments through 2010, as directed by the State of Washington; investments to increase starting in 2011.

Road Fund: $2.5 million to pay the Sheriff’s Office to patrol county roads; delays in road work for both 2009 and 2010.

Development Engineering Fees: $876,000 in fee increases to improve cost recovery for services provided through the Public Works department.

Motor Vehicle Fuel Budget: $500,000 reduction.

As previously reported, revenues collected in the first quarter of 2009 were about 9 percent short of what was needed to maintain the budget that took effect January 1, which was down 6 percent from 2007-2008, at $994 million for 2009-2010.

Joni McAnally
Administrative Assistant
Clark County Public Information and Outreach
(360) 397-6012
joni.mcanally@clark.wa.gov