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Home My WebLink About064 98 '-'; CC'. A~d2 i14/9~ . M~ () LL\) JEFFERSON COUNTY STATE OF WASHINGTON In the Matter of A Resolution Establishing Budget Objectives for the 1999 Jefferson County Budget } } } } } Resolution No, 64-98 Whereas, The annual budget process provides opportunities to focus resources in support of strategic issues facing Jefferson County, and Whereas, County services must meet citizen needs efficiently and effectively, and Whereas, Annual increases in costs due to inflation affects salary and operating expenses for County services, and Whereas, Adequate funding reserves need to be established for each operating budget to provide for emergencies and for cash flow, and Whereas, The future economic vitality of the county needs to be maintained and enhanced, and Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners hereby establishes the following objectives to guide development and adoption of the 1999 Jefferson County Budget: 1. Growth in County Budget Expenditure Base shall be targeted to not exceed projected revenues. . One-time expenditures in the Community Development Budget (approximately $242,000) are to be removed from base budget calculations. . The overall allowance is for growth in the General Fund base budget (less one-time expenditures) to be approximately 3.8'%. Departments will need to prepare base budgets not exceeding growth of 3.8% overalL , . Base budget increases for other funds (non-capital) shall be linùted to this same amount. . Additional spending above the base budget will be linùted by available funding. . Emergency appropriations approved in 1998 will be considered Budget Adds for 1999 if requested to continue. 2. Additional General Fund budget revenue wì1l need to be considered to maintain current staffing and support levels. . The General Fund Budget Forecast assumes property tax growth will be limited based on the Implicit Price Deflator. Property tax increases up to the maximum allowed by law (106%) may need to be considered to help maintain service levels. Increases in revenue will depend on additional grants and fees to maintain current levels. Consideration will be given to funding a staff position to assist with development of grant applications for various departments. . . : VOL 0')4 . , . r- C- (;;"è:- 1-- ~~ ;' - 1999 Budget Objectives 3. Total staffing as measured in 40 hour Full Time Equivalents (F.T.E.'s) shall be tracked and compared to other counties that are similar in size and scope of services provided. . Departments will need to provide comparisons to similarly sized counties with similar operations to compare staffing levels. Comparisons to staffing per county populations (incorporated and unincorporated), location factors and other demographic factors shall be included. . Overall staffing for all funds shall be frozen at 1998 levels in all departments. Consideration will be given to allow for transfers between departments within the total staffing limit. . A staffing comparison format shall be developed to insure consistency in budget reviews. 4. Priority shall be given to supporting and maintaining Law and Justice programs with support of state and federal grant sources. . Distribution of funding within Law and Justice Offices shall be determined with recommendations by the County Law and Justice Offices within the Law and Justice Council. . Grant funds will be prioritized to maintain existing levels of service whenever possible. 5. Funding shall be set aside to allow for cost increases due to labor contract negotiations. Budget limitations may require reductions in staff to accommodate increases in labor costs. 6. Staffing for the Community Development Department will be adjusted based on an evaluation of organizational and staffing needs to be done in the Fall of 1998. . . The department base budget will be reduced for positions hired on a contract basis. . Non-contract staffing is anticipated to stay level or decrease overall. . Staffing for Long Range Planning will need to reviewed with respect to on-going comprehensive plan implementation. . Consideration will be given for training and implementation of new regulations and permits. 7. Maintenance and improvement of data processing and management shall be limited based on available funding. . Provide funding for conversion of permit management/ database system. . Prioritize funding of computer and information systems hardware to meet minimum requirements needed for the computer network. . Provide funding to support development of records imaging and document retrieval systems starting in the County Auditor's Office. . Review the Information Services and IDMS department organization to evaluate consolidation of programs. . Consider development of intergovernmental relationships to develop program efficiencies and enhance capabilities of agencies within Jefferson County. 8. Priority shall be given to development of performance indicators. . Develop a community based set of indicators to focus attention to service priorities. 1999 Budget Objectives \iOL '.'J 4 I' J...i.. '.' r ,- h. ~ r";l)~ 1 ',., .:'- -,. :, l' " Page 2 ~ . --. .' 1999 Budget Objectives . Support for further development of department level performance indicators will be prioritized. . Performance indicators shall be considered when adopting staffing levels. 9. Revenues from fees and services shall be reviewed and considered for revision to meet costs for providing services. . Building Permits, Environmental Health Permits, Development Review Fees, Health Fees, Animal Service Permits, and Recreation Fees shall all be reviewed. . A full cost model shall developed to account for all costs related to each fee or permit . Fees charged to other agencies shall be reviewed to detennine full cost of service provision and associated reimbursement. 10. Departments shall prepare narrative information to support budget requests. . Narratives shall provide background on program changes and impacts anticipated by budget increases or decreases- A narrative format shall be developed to insure consistency in budget reviews- . . 11. A minimum reserve of 10% shall be maintained for all operating funds. . The General Fund reserve shall be a minimum of 10% of expenditures. . Reserves for all other operating funds shall be set at a minimum of 10%. Departments shall be responsible for funding the reserve from existing and projected revenues. 12. Funding for working with advisory boards and citizen groups shall be prioritized based on function and need. . Departments supporting advisory boards and citizen groups shall provide narrative information outlining the board or groups role, long-term need and impact. . Departments shall also prepare cost histories and projecti.ons related to providing support. 13. Funding shall be provided in the Non-departmental budget for training support equal to 1 % of the direct costs for payroll. . Departments shall prepare employee training plans identifying type of training and anticipated budgetary expenses. . Departments shall track expenses and staff hours related to training. . A review of training requirements and labor agreements shall be conducted to determine appropriate training levels. 14. Departments will need to explore ways to reduce costs through joint procurement efforts. . A review of strategies to reduce costs in procuring supplies for departments through standardized purchases and consolidated ordering will be prioritized. 15. Priority shall be given for efforts to support economic development strategies. . Develop six-year spending plan for Distressed Counties Facilities Fund that will provide support for economic development. Consider increasing support for the EDC in coordination with the Port and City. . 1999 Budget Objectives '14' L r-,'r:;-- "'.~ 1'~'. .~ ;~-: Page 3 VOL ,. . ; ."" '- 1999 Budget Objectives . Support development of economic ombudsman group to assist potential businesses through permit processes. 16. Priority will be given efforts that support strategic plan objectives. Support will be given to efforts that fOCllS resources in support of adopted strategic plan objectives. These objectives are to established prior to preliminary review of department budgets in October. Priority will be given to development of community indicators such as health indicators, economic indicators, and public safety indicators to be used in identi.fying strategies. Support watershed and salmon recovery efforts with funding from state and federal sources. . . . 17. Priority will be given to addressing legal defense costs in relation to civil issues facing Jefferson County. . Strategies to fund legal defense and other legal costs related to civil matters shall be developed in consultation with the County Prosecutor's Office. Adopted this g~ ~+ day of 1998. Jefferson County Board of Commissioners 1L~ -Z -<- ~ /,~/- Glen Huntingford, Ch,t i/ ~ =.~er~::1- 1999 Budget Objectives , ,," . viJi- I);; j L4 r~~~ - -->~-- Page 4