PORT ANGELES — Clallam County’s recommended budget maintains current levels of service and draws $1.5 million from reserves.
County Administrator Jim Jones asked every department head last month to trim their budgets by 3 percent to offset a $3.1 million deficit.
Those and other measures saved $1.6 million and leave $8 million in the general fund reserve.
The recommended budget comes with salary freezes for the three commissioners and Jones.
County employees will not receive a cost of living increase next year but will get a step increase if one has been earned.
The county’s total work force will drop from 400 to 392 full-time positions in 2011.
Four employees have been laid off, and 18 positions have been left open through attrition since 2009.
Commissioners Tuesday set two budget hearings for Tuesday, Dec. 7, after which they will consider adopting a final budget.
Hearings Dec. 7
The hearings will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the commissioners’ board room (160) on the main level of the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
Jones’ recommended budget spends $51.9 million for law and justice and public works.
Public safety expenditures account for nearly 68 percent of the total budget.
In the general fund, where core services are paid for, next year’s expenses outweigh the revenues $32.6 million to $31.1 million.
A $9.5 million general fund reserve fund will close that $1.5 million gap.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
