PORT TOWNSEND — While Jefferson County hasn’t completely recovered from the recession, its financial condition has improved every year.
“Moderate economic conditions have given us some breathing room,” County Administrator Philip Morley said at a public hearing on a draft 2016 budget Monday.
“But there are ongoing constraints in our ability to provide public services.”
The commissioners on Monday passed a unanimous motion for staff to prepare a final budget document that will be presented for approval at the next regular meeting, 9 a.m. Dec. 14 in chambers, 1820 Jefferson St.
Morley said the 2016 budget is “fiscally responsible,” while significant uncertainties, challenges and opportunities lay ahead.
At the meeting, Morley and budget consultant Ann Sears delivered a presentation reflecting $52.26 million in 2016 expenditures.
Shortfall covered
This is compared against $46.91 million in projected revenues, resulting in a shortfall of $5.27 million that will be made up from reserve balances in various fund categories, Morley said.
He did not specify which reserve lines would be affected.
The expenditures include $17.98 million from the general fund while a combination of 50 funds earmarked for specific purposes add up to $34.28 million.
People and places dominate the budget, with 56 percent of the general fund allocated for salaries and benefits and some capital improvements required for safety reasons.
Jefferson County will have 269.5 total full-time equivalent employees in 2016, 25 fewer than 2008 levels, according to the presentation.
A number of county employees were laid off during the 2008 recession when revenues were short, which the county uses as a point of comparison.
Public safety enhancements benefiting the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office would include the hiring or promotion of two new sergeants at the jail and resulting in the presence of a supervisor on all shifts.
Also budgeted is $577,000 in capital improvements to the jail and $147,000 for the sheriff’s office.
“We have to concentrate on capital improvements so we all still have places for us to work,” Morley said.
Courthouse entrance
The necessary improvements concern safety and security, with a goal of limiting courthouse access to one entrance in 2016.
The budget allocates $285,000 to change the courthouse entrance, although a complete facility renovation, including a seismic retrofit, has been estimated to have a $9 million cost, Morley said.
Morley said the amount of state funding channeled to local governments is up in the air on two fronts: First is the potential implementation of I-1366, a Tim Eyeman-sponsored state initiative which could result in a 15 percent reduction in Washington sales tax revenue. The legislature may also cut funding to local governments to fund education as ordered by the 2012 McCleary decision.
Road fund
Another “challenge,” according to Morley, is the county’s road fund, which has been impacted by reductions in federal timber revenue.
Morley said that last month’s washout of Oil City Road in West Jefferson County cost about $200,000 to repair. That one repair used almost all of the expected $224,000 allocated by the six-year transportation impact plan.
“Even with the cutbacks, our road fund balance is still dwindling.” Morley said.
“In the future, we will need to explore options for sustainable and adequate funding for roads.”
According to the presentation, the road fund balance for 2016 is estimated to be just above $3 million. A $1 million deficit is projected by 2021.
Funding parks and recreation has long been unstable and relies on the work of volunteers or maintenance and upkeep. Morley said that funding and sustaining parks has yet to be addressed.
“This job is a lot more fun in a time of growth,” said District 2 commissioner David Sullivan, who has been on the board since 2005.
“But I think we’ve done a good job hanging on to what we already have.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
