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STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
In the Matter of Establishing
Goals and Objectives for the
2008 County Budget
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RESOLUTION NO. 55-07
WHEREAS, Jefferson County's growing population continues to put pressure on the
provision of public services; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that citizens and government have a responsibility in
stewardship of our water and our land to provide for economic stability and a high quality of
life for all our citizens; and
WHEREAS, as the County grows, the demand to provide critical services such as
public safety, public health and education, parks and recreation 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 including the possible elimination of the Secure
Rural Schools Act by the national legislature (resulting in a loss in excess of $1.6 million in
road funds and special revenue funds) 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 their delivery while
targeting community priorities; and
Resolution No. 55-07 re: Establishing Goals and Objectives for the 2008 Budget
WHEREAS, it is recognized that citizens of Jefferson County expect both
accountability from their public servants and affordability from their government; and
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) Protecting and ensuring adequate clean water supplies for citizens and
the shellfish industry
7) Operating within a business plan based on sustainable resources,
measured performance, and outstanding customer service
8) 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 2008 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. County offices and departments shall prepare budgets following the standard format
provided to them in the 'Call for Budgets' from the County Auditor.
3. Each office and department and each major division or program within each office
or department shall prepare a narrative, which shall include:
a) The mission statement in a clear concise statement explaining the purpose
of the division or program.
b) The 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 eight (8) priority strategic
objectives.
Page 2
Resolution No. 55-07 re: Establishing Goals and Objectives for the 2008 Budget
FISCAL BUDGET OBJECTIVES
1. The budget, when adopted, will be balanced within available resources. In addition
to annual fiscal objectives, there will also be a focus on long-term financial analysis
to insure financial sustainability.
2. Growth in General Fund property taxes, Conservation Futures Fund property taxes
and Road Fund property taxes shall not exceed the 1 % limit, plus taxes collected on
new construction.
3. Continue to successfully implement the 0.1 % sales tax levies as authorized by the
legislature including the funding of chemical dependency and mental health needs,
the Jeff COM Infrastructure funds and the Criminal Justice tax.
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. For union staff, personnel costs (salaries, wages, and 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. For non-union staff, adjustments will be made as necessary to maintain salaries,
wages, and benefits as close to the competitive mean as possible recognizing that
the County's employees are its most valuable assets.
7. Reserves shall be maintained for each fund as authorized by resolution.
8. Non-personnel Operating Costs will be adjusted from the adopted 2007 budget by
4%, if possible financially.
9. Any proposed use of "banked capacity" will be for one-time non-recurring expenses
and emergency expenses per Ordinance 18-1220-04.
10. Rigorously examine fee levels and ensure that all fees are set at a level that
recaptures the cost of the service being provided with reasonable accommodations
provided to achieve other priorities; establish a fee schedule that includes fines as a
source to recover funds expended on enforcement and examine alternatives for
funding 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.
Page 3
Resolution No. 55-07 re: Establishing Goals and Objectives for the 2008 Budget
11. Successfully implement the increase to the Rural Counties Sales Tax approved by
the legislature in 2007 increasing the State paid sales tax from .08% to .09% for the
Public Infrastructure Fund.
STRATEGIC BUDGET OBJECTIVES
1. Support and maintain law and justice programs and utilize local law and justice work
load measurements to assist in supporting and prioritizing services; encourage
development of a community policing model that focuses on collaboration between
public agencies, private groups, individuals and most especially 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.
2. Support programs that identify and treat significant public health threats and gaps in
programs offered, and if identified:
a) Develop programs to address substance abuse issues that emphasize
prevention, early intervention and recovery.
b) Continue to fund the Local Health Data Profile to determine community
needs and prioritize services.
c) Deliver programs that promote healthier communities and individuals.
3. Look for ways and means to develop opportunities to continue the development of a
parks, recreation and open space system and a non-motorized transportation
system that identifies and addresses the most important safety, health and
economic development issues for local communities; Focus special attention on
extending the Larry Scott Trail from the Clallam County Line to Four Corners.
4. 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.
5. Continue the development and plans for construction of a sewer system in the Tri-
Area UGA; update the plan for the Gateway Visitors Center and develop 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.
6. Consider the possible implementation of a Shellfish Protection Zone for East
Jefferson County and examine other means to finance the necessary improvements
to create a Shellfish Protection Zone and a Clean Water District forthe preservation
of the County's shellfish industry and its drinking water.
Page 4
Resolution No. 55-07 re: Establishing Goals and Objectives for the 2008 Budget
7. As part of developing a Business Plan, the following will be reviewed and evaluated:
a) Privatize and/or outsource services, programs, and functions where
appropriate.
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.
d). Continue to partner with other local agencies to improve service delivery
and/or reduce costs.
e). Develop operating rules and guidelines for the staff to work with the Board to
prioritize existing resources.
8. Maintain a professional County workforce through adequate training and
compensation including:
a) Review internal pay levels for managers across department boundaries for
fairness and consistency.
b) Compare benefits, time off, and pay levels of managers and non-managers,
discuss responsibility and equity in compensation.
c) Encourage Department Heads and Elected Officials to recognize
achievements of their employees.
d) Encourage and support education and training as needed.
_(J.PPROVED this 25th day of June, 2007.
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ATTEST:
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4'Glie Matthes, CMC
Deputy Clerk of the Board
David Sullivan, Member
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J1hnV~stin, Member
Page 5
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Agenda Item
For the Week of June 25, 2007
I. Description - A brief description of the agenda item.
Adoption ofthe Resolution to establish goals and objectives for the 2008 County
budget.
II. Issues - A short outline of the major issues or areas that should be given
particular attention.
This resolution sets goals and objectives for the 2008 budget process in order to
maximize the use of limited resources, programs and services while targeting community
priorities.
III. Action -- What is the nature of the action the Board is being asked to
take (discussion, approval of a contract, support for a grant, etc.).
Approve this resolution adopting the 2008 budget goals and objective.
IV. You may also want to express the department's position or
recommendation. Suggested wording for the motion (a motion to approve/adopt/accept and a motion
to deny/remand) would help especially if there are specific items or wording that needs to be covered in the
motion.
Reviewed By:
t /21}07
Date