However, lagging revenue in other funds means about 10 vacant positions will be eliminated, with one layoff proposed.
County spending in 2012 is budgeted for $298.36 million, an 11.5 percent decline from the revised budget for this year. The decrease is mostly due to bond and capital payments that have come off the books, said Robin Campbell, county budget and fiscal manager.
“Our financial position in 2011 is quite good,” she told the commissioners during the briefing, noting that they would end the year with more than $15 million in the end fund balance, more than double the amount from 2009.
There are no layoffs or furloughs budgeted for services and programs supported by the general fund. The budget also includes 2.7 percent cost of living adjustments for county employees, but also a 10 percent spike in medical costs.
However, the economy continues to hamper the county’s ability to increase services and hiring.
“I do expect that the sales tax growth won’t only be slow but will be flat,” Campbell said.
The lack of layoffs or cuts is the result of tough decisions made several years ago when the county cut 146 jobs and consolidated departments as general fund revenue sagged.
“I think we are in a relatively fortunate position,” said county manager Don Krupp, alluding to the cuts made in 2009 and 2010.
In 2012, there will be fewer projects supported by the real estate excise tax. At the policy level, the county has proposed eliminating seven vacant positions in the roads fund. In public health, it has proposed eliminating 3.25 full-time equivalent positions, one of which will result in a layoff. That position was funded by a state grant for communicable disease control that has been cut in half.
In terms of capital improvement projects, the county has budgeted more than $35 million in public works, central services and resource stewardship projects for 2012.
Major funding proposals include: $3.64 million, Woodland Creek sanitary sewer project; $3.8 million, phase 3 of the Chehalis Western Trail; $3.9 million, Rich Road upgrades between Deschutes River and 89th; and $4 million, Tilley Road master plan.
There are also more than $10 million in policy-level requests that the commissioners will have to decide if they want to fund. One includes $250,000 to replace the county’s aging email system; another would fund the Woodland Creek Estates stormwater upgrades.
Campbell also told the commissioner to keep in mind the impact of state layoffs, the economy and flat revenue.
“The budget you adopt this year has to continue to position us for the future,” she said.
Nate Hulings: 360-754-5476 nhulings@theolympian.com www.theolympian.com/outsideoly
