PORT TOWNSEND — The three Jefferson County commissioners will conduct a public hearing on the county’s proposed 2017 budget of nearly $55 million this morning.
The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. and will be in the commissioner’s chambers in the basement of the Jefferson County Courthouse at 1820 Jefferson St., in Port Townsend. The commissioner’s meeting will begin at 9 a.m.
The hearing is meant to collect public input on the most recent draft of the budget. According to a budget message from County Administrator Philip Morley, commissioners are scheduled to vote to adopt the budget during their meeting Monday, Dec. 12.
The recommended budget for 2017 sits at $54,934,824 and is divided into 51 funds.
The 2017 fund isn’t too different from the 2016 fund. According to the budget highlights from Morley, a number of funds would see some gains from last year due to extra revenue.
The fund for the Washington State University Jefferson County Extension would see an extra $23,000 of income for its Small Farms Program.
An increase in lodging taxes would give the Hotel Motel Fund an extra $40,000.
Public Health would see an additional $85,000 from revenues from septic operations and maintenance fees while the Mental Health fund would see an $82,000 increase thanks to an increase in mental health sales tax revenue.
Parks and Recreation would get a $28,000 one-time funding increase for county campgrounds. That would go toward replacing a retired volunteer with a staff member to care for the campgrounds.
The County Capital Improvement Fund would see $250,000 more than last year thanks to increased real estate excise revenue.
The solid waste funds would see $80,000 more due to increased tonnages and a regular fee increase.
The recommendation for the county’s general fund, according to Morley’s budget overview, is $18,578,538.
This is up from 2016’s recommended budget thanks to increases in sales taxes, property taxes, increased revenues across county departments and taxes collected from the sale of marijuana, he said.
A few extra one-time expenditures are planned for 2017.
The Sheriff’s Office would get two one-time budget increases of $45,000 for jail medical services and $65,000 for a new corrections officer.
The Coroner would get $20,000 for autopsy costs; the County Clerk would get a one time increase of $9,500 for a software upgrade; and the county Prosecuting Attorney would receive $4,000 in 2017 for travel expenses.
The proposed 2017 budget can be found in full at www.co.jefferson.wa.us and public comment will be accepted during today’s hearing.
________
Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@ peninsuladailynews.com.
