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Home My WebLink About033 06 ""C,t:',Bw:! -; tcJ.:xJc& , I (ec~~) A-\ \ "D.pts , STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson In the Matter of Establishing Goals And Objectives for the 2007 County Budget } } } 33-06 RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, Jefferson County's growing population continues to put pressure on the provision of public services; and WHEREAS, as the County grows, the demand to provide critical services such as public safety, public health and education, and capital infrastructure, the foundation of a strong economy and a strong community, continue; and WHEREAS, the County needs to protect and capitalize on our competitive advantages; our people, our environment, and our history, as we grow our economy; and WHEREAS, initiatives passed by the people of the State in recent years have reduced or eliminated revenue sources previously relied upon to pay for services and programs; and WHEREAS, additional revenue sources needed to sustain existing county programs will need to be referred to the Jefferson County voters for approval such as property tax increases for criminal justice and general purposes, etc.; and WHEREAS, increases in program costs and reductions in revenue due to the shifting of State and Federal priorities adversely affect the delivery of County services; and WHEREAS, changes in program costs and revenue due to local economic conditions and continued demands by State and Federal agencies affect the delivery of County services; and WHEREAS, adequate cash reserves need to be maintained for each operating fund to provide for emergencies and for cash flow; and, WHEREAS, the annual budget process provides opportunities to focus resources in support of the strategic issues facing Jefferson County; and WHEREAS, in order to maximize the use of limited resources, programs and services must be strategic, effective, creative, innovative and efficient in theirdeliverywhile targeting community priorities; and WHEREAS, it is recognized that citizens of Jefferson County expect both accountability from their public servants and affordability from their government; and !' Resolution No. 33-06 re: Establishing Goals & Objectives for 2007 County Budget Page: 2 WHEREAS, Jefferson County together with other local government agencies recognize that collaborative efforts to provide services benefits all citizens of the County; and WHEREAS, the following strategic objectives are of highest priority: 1) Supporting local law and justice programs 2) Addressing locally identified and defined local public health issues 3) Protecting and enhancing natural resources 4) Investing in community infrastructure that encourages economic opportunity 5) Planning for long term capital facility needs 6) Operating within a business plan based on sustainable resources, measured performance, and outstanding customer service 7) Maintaining a professional County workforce that can meet the growing service delivery needs of the County. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOL VED, that the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson County does hereby establish the following goals and objectives to guide the development and adoption of the 2007 Jefferson County Budget: BUDGET PREPARATION 1. Budget requests shall be prepared in a consistent, citizen friendly format that clearly identifies the resources needed and the services to be provided by each program. 2. Departments shall prepare budgets following the standard format provided to them in the 'Call for Budgets' from the County Auditor. 3. Each department and each major division or program within each department shall prepare a narrative, which shall include: a) The department's mission statement in a clear concise statement explaining the purpose of the division or program. b) The department's staffing requirements for the coming year clearly indicating which staff positions, or portions thereof, are grant supported. c) Outcomes expected to be obtained by the program, including the impacts anticipated by increased or decreased funding. d) A description of how the program supports the seven (7) priority strategic objectives. r~ J'I '. Resolution No. 33-06 re: Establishing Goals & Objectives for 2007 County Budget Page: 3 FISCAL BUDGET OBJECTIVES 1. The budget, when adopted, will be balanced within available resources. In addition to annual fiscal objectives, there should also be a focus on long-term financial analysis. 2. Growth in General Fund property taxes and Road Fund property taxes shall remain as close as possible to a 1 % limit, plus taxes collected on new construction, although an analysis will be conducted on the results of alternative changes for the Board of County Commissioners' consideration in response to the Court ruling on Initiative Measure 747 (1-747) on June 13,2006. 3. Successfully implement the 0.1 % Sales Tax as authorized by ESSB5763 to fund chemical dependency and mental health needs. 4. Transfers from the General Fund to other operating Funds will be adjusted from current levels based on the impact of the rates of the new labor agreements. 5. Personnel costs (salaries, wages, & benefits) will be adjusted based on the rates of the new labor agreements; there will also be an adjustment to reflect annual step increases. Increase to FTE will require substantial justification. The County's goal is to pay at the mid-range of employee salaries with comparable counties to maintain employees and to recruit new employees. 6. Reserves shall be maintained for each Fund as authorized by resolution. 7. Non-personnel Operating Costs will be adjusted from the adopted 2006 budget by 2%. 8. Any proposed use of "banked capacity" will be for one-time non-recurring expenses. 9. Rigorously examine fee levels and ensure that all fees are set at a level that recaptures the cost of the service being provided; Establish a fee schedule that includes fines as a source to recover funds expended on enforcement and to recover the cost of the hearing examiner system for the General Fund. Consider a policy that requires "fees for service" for all new services to be offered, unless a specific authorization is provided by the County Board of Commissioners. " Resolution No. 33-06 re: Establishing Goals & Objectives for 2007 County Budget Page: 4 STRATEGIC BUDGET OBJECTIVES 1. Support an effective economic development strategy for Jefferson County that encourages participation by the City of Port Townsend, the Port of Port Townsend, the Public Utility District No.1, and other interested parties. Under the County's leadership ensure that an effective economic development program is carried forward for all of Jefferson County. 2. Support and maintain law and justice programs; encourage collaboration by the courts, law enforcement, Prosecutors office, and other law and justice providers in the development of strategies that yield the best outcomes within the resources available. 3. Support programs that identify and treat significant public health threats and gaps in programs offered, and if identified, a determination should be made to close them if practicable. a) Develop programs to address substance abuse issues that emphasize prevention, early intervention, recovery and overcoming community complacency and which assist in implementation of a comprehensive drug court and mental health court model. b) Use the Local Health Data Profile to determine community needs and prioritize services. c) Deliver programs that promote healthier communities and individuals. 4. Relocate Public Works to the stand alone building in the Castle Hill complex; complete the Courthouse Site Master Plan project; Complete the Courthouse Clocktower project; continue the development and construction of the sewer system for the Tri-Area UGA; update the plan for the Gateway Visitors Center and reach a decision on a plan to reconstruct an improved facility; develop a county-wide land use inventory and infrastructure database with accompanying economic analysis to guide future planning decisions. 5. Look for ways and means to develop opportunities to continue the development of the Larry Scott Trail and link it to the Olympic Discovery Trail and the Tri-Area Urban Growth Area (UGA). J-.:, . Resolution No. 33-06 re: Establishing Goals & Objectives for 2007 County Budget Page: 5 EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OBJECTIVES 1. Each of the following internal activities will be reviewed' and evaluated: a) Privatize and/or outsource services, programs, and functions where appropriate (such as animal services, etc.). b) Consolidate programs or services where appropriate and seek additional funding through programs and grants. c) Continue to monitor the permit process in Community Development and Environmental Health to prevent unnecessary delays. 2. Continue to partner with other local agencies to improve service delivery and/or reduce costs. 3. Develop operating rules and guidelines for the staff to work with the Board to avoid surprises for both sides. June , 2006. ';\ SON COUNTY F C MISSIONERS ~i Joh on, ~ Davia ~Member ~ . .' , . ~ \t. ~ . ~ J" ..... ATTEST:, ~"J1a~ CIhC Julie Matthes, CMC Deputy Clerk of the Board