PORT ANGELES — Clallam County is tapping its reserves at a slower rate than forecast and should end the year with $11.5 million in the bank, according to a midyear budget review prepared by County Administrator Jim Jones.
Jones will deliver the annual report to the three county commissioners in today’s board meeting.
He submitted a spreadsheet Thursday showing mid-year revenues of $15.3 million and expenditures of roughly $16.4 million for an imbalance of $1,064,759 in the county’s general fund.
“This performance level compares well with where we were in each of the last two years,” Jones said in a written summary.
Jones projected year-end totals for each major department using a statistical analysis from the last four years to create a trend, then adjusting the data for known anomalies and program changes.
He projects the county will use $1,572,500 in reserves this year, compared with the $1.9 million that was budgeted.
Clallam County had $13,069,832 in reserves going into a year that has seen unemployment rise to double digits.
Trouble areas
Jones’ data show “trouble areas” with excess expenditures in sheriff’s operations, search and rescue, Clallam County Superior Court and worker’s compensation claims.
Sheriff’s operations are projected to exceed the budgeted $4,549,454 and hit $4.8 million by the end of 2009. Search and rescue is projected to reach $40,000 compared with the budgeted $34,150.
Superior Court expenses are on par to reach $1.4 million, which is $132,757 above forecasts.
Worker’s compensation claims reached 68 percent of a projected $907,808 by mid-year.
Furthermore, Jones cited “significant revenue shortfalls” in community development, environmental health, juvenile services, Clallam County District Court No. 1, roads, Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team, mental health, Probation District Court No. 1, local criminal justice, federal forest replacement, opportunity fund, real estate excise tax and the Clallam Bay-Sekiu sewer.
“All of these potential trouble areas will be carefully scrutinized in the weeks ahead, looking for appropriate ways to lessen the impact of each situation,” Jones said.
The midyear budget review is slated to begin at 10:30 a.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room (160) at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
