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HomeMy WebLinkAbout025 09 , fI."'<{''J50'< (C'A~ ~. k'\(. ,cc 'A (> (' 5\\(',1\ 'l-T .'-n'e.iA.cc, 4 b'6/cA STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson In the Matter of Voluntary Reduction of Elected Officials' Salaries to the General Fund RESOLUTION NO. 25-09 WHEREAS, the County Commissioners has been informed that as of the end of the first quarter of 2009 General Fund revenues are projected to be approximately $1 million below what was budgeted for 2009 by year's end; and WHEREAS, despite identifying cuts the County can make elsewhere, the County Commissioners find that the County will need to reduce expenditures in departments within the General Fund, and those receiving General Fund transfers, with a target effective date of May 1, 2009; and WHEREAS, affected departments would likely include, Auditor/Elections, Assessor, Clerk, County Commissioners, County Administrator, District Court, Juvenile Services, Emergency Management, Prosecuting Attorney, Superior Court, Treasurer, WSU Extension, and the Information Services and Facilities Divisions (Custodial workers) of Central Services; and WHEREAS, the County Administrator continues to work with the Sheriff to identify what economies the Sheriff's Office can make, recognizing its unique operational and safety constraints; and WHEREAS, there will also need to be reductions in General Fund transfers to other departments such as Animal Services, Public Health, Water Quality, Parks, and the; and WHEREAS, changes are likely coming that may affect staffing levels and/or require hour reductions equivalent to Yz hour to 1 hour per day; and WHEREAS, the Elected Officials (Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, County Commissioners, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff and Treasurer) have discussed the possibility of returning a portion of their respective salaries to the General Fund as a way of sharing the pain of the budget cuts and to assist the General Fund; and WHEREAS, such decreases or reductions in the salary of an Elected Official during his or her term must be voluntary rather than mandated or sanctioned by the County Commissioners in order to comply with the State Constitution; and WHEREAS, the three County Commissioners have agreed to voluntarily redirect a portion of their salary back to the General Fund; and WHEREAS, the County Commissioners respectfully request that the other Elected Officials also agree to voluntarily redirect a portion oftheir salary back to the General Fund; and Resolution No. 25~09: Voluntary Reduction of Elected Officials' Salaries to the General Fund WHEREAS, such a voluntary decision by an Elected Official to redirect a portion of his or her salary back to the General Fund constitutes a voluntary waiver and surrender of rights that may later be enforceable in a court oflaw; and WHEREAS, no voluntary redirection of the salary of an Elected Official back to the General Fund can occur until such time as the Elected Official has executed the attached Release (Attachment "A") in the presence of a Notary Public, and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners as follows: I. That the County Commissioners voluntarily, knowingly and in the absence of duress or coercion will sign the attached Release, each Commissioner completing the Release with the percentage or dollar amount of the voluntary redirection that he wishes to implement. 2. That the County Commissioners respectfully request that the other Elected Officials of Jefferson County join them in this voluntary redirection of salary in support of the General Fund during this time of fiscal crisis and that the Elected Officials do so by completing and signing the attached Release Form. 3. That any and all voluntary redirection of salaries becomes effective May 1, 2009 and will terminate on December 31, 2009. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2'l~aYOf ~1(~L ,2009. : JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ~4ta- Davi{st1livan, (~; \ . ~ . . - , ',- '_ Phil Johnso , Member ATTE;:: '-~-" . r,-'.:tU L)'" 'L_~~-<~YVi~_'~i' . {} Jo llstm, Member Page 2 of2 RELEASE 1. I agree to redirect a portion of my salary ($ or _%) each month to the General Fund of Jefferson County, more specifically BARS Code "the General Fund," for work performed May 1,2009 through and ending on December 31, 2009. This redirection shall expire after December 31, 2009. 2. I understand that I can at any time revoke my decision to redirect a portion of my salary to the General Fund. I can also alter the amount I wish to redirect. 3. I understand that by directing a portion of my salary to the General Fund I am surrendering and waiving a portion of one or more legal obligations owed to me or that will be owed to me by Jefferson County. 4. I understand that by signing this Release I am forever releasing Jefferson County from any claim, action or lawsuit that I or my heirs or assigns might undertake or initiate to recover the sum( s) that I have chosen to redirect to the General Fund. 5. I understand that my decision to sign this Release has legal significance because in accordance with #1, #3 and #4 above I have surrendered and relinquished one or more current or future rights that may be enforceable at law. 6. I have made this decision to redirect a portion of my salary to the General Fund and to waive certain rights I hold knowingly and voluntarily. 7. I did not make this decision as a result of duress or coercion. 8. I have read and understood this Release. Name (printed) Title: Signature Date: State of Washington County of Jefferson County I certify that I know or have satisfactory evidence that is the person who appeared before me and said person acknowledged that (he/she) signed this instrument and acknowledged it to be (his/her) free and voluntary act for the use and purposes mentioned in the instrument. Dated: SEAL: NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the State of Washington Printed Name: My appointment expires: JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Philip Morley, County Administrator DATE: \Aft'\ \ 27,2009 RE: Recommended 2009 County Budget Reductions STATEMENT OF ISSUE: A Public Hearing is scheduled at 10 AM, April 27 to take public comment on the First Quarter Budget Extensions and Recommended Reductions to the 2009 Budget. At the Hearing, staff will give a brief overview of both of these items, prior to public comment. The Budget Extensions is under separate cover. After hearing comments from the public, the Board of County Commissioners is asked to deliberate and take action on the proposed Budget Extension and Budget Reductions. The Budget Reductions would take effect May 1,2009. To implement the Budget Reductions, Commissioners are asked to adopt three Resolutions: . Mid-Year Budget Reductions for Various County Departments . Voluntary Reduction of Elected Officials' Salaries to the General Fund . Establishing New Hours of Operation for the General Public at the Jefferson County Courthouse ANALYSIS: Jefferson County, like most counties throughout Washington State, has seen an unanticipated drop in revenues because of a world-wide economic recession that has recently grown to be the worst in over 50 years. Revenues to the County's General Fund are projected be approximately $1,000,000 below what we budgeted for in our adopted 2009 Jefferson County Budget by year's end. The County is required to maintain a balanced budget that matches expenditures and revenues. The services that County staff provides to the residents, businesses and visitors of Jefferson County are important, especially at a time when the economic recession has left people more reliant on those services. We also value our talented County staff, rely on the work they perform, and wish to retain their knowledge and skill for the future. For all these reasons, and more, we seek to buffer them as best we can from the impacts of this recession. Over the past month, the department directors and independent elected officials have been working together to find ways to accomplish these goals, and balance our County Budget. We have also worked with UFCW Local 21 and Teamsters Local 589 as representatives of our union staff. Budget reductions are necessary, and they will be taken in stages. Some cuts are being made now, to control variable costs and reduce the likelihood of much deeper reductions had they been delayed to later. Others budget reductions, especially some one-time transfers or use of fund reserves in other funds, will be made in subsequent quarters of this year, so that we can fine tune them to be commensurate with revenues the County actually receives. Through hard work, two thirds of the General Fund budget reductions are being made through cuts in non-staff areas. We have contained changes that affect our employees so that less than one-third of the General Fund reduction is from reductions affecting staff. I am recommending $452,069 in budget reductions to be implemented May 1. These reductions affect departments and the Courts funded by the General Fund, and reduce operating transfers from the General Fund to other departments not part of the General Fund. Additional reductions of an estimated $190,000 will be recommended in future quarters. These changes include Sheriff's Department budget reductions as well as reduction offund balances in other funds and one-time transfers in from other funds. As part of our immediate cost reductions, the hours or salary of staff in most departments in the General Fund as well as the Facilities and Information Services Divisions of Central Services are being reduced by 6 y.% starting May 1 through the end of2009. For affected hourly employees this means moving to a 37 Y, hour work week (or the equivalent in voluntary furloughs). Salaried staff pay is being reduced a similar amount, 6 y.%. A Resolution by which the three County Commissioners voluntarily redirect back to the General Fund 6 Y. % of their salaries and allowing the Auditor, Assessor, Clerk, Sheriff, and Treasurer to voluntarily redirect 6 y.% of their salaries, is attached. (Salaries for the Prosecutor, District Court Judge and Superior Court Judge are set by the state, and legally these three elected officials cannot redirect their salaries in the same fashion.) These hour and salary reductions account for $181,000 in savings in the General Fund through the end of the year out of our $1 Million goal. Positions left vacant account for another $101,000 m savmgs. With the reduction in staff hours, it is necessary to reduce the hours the Courthouse is open to the public. A Resolution is attached that sets public hours at 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. This reduction is necessary to accommodate shorter work hours, and to also give staff 30 minutes uninterrupted work time where the Courthouse is closed to complete their work within the shorter hours. The drop in county revenues requires that we make these cost-saving reductions now, in order to help lessen the need or size of more drastic measures later. These reductions are difficult for everyone. FISCAL IMPACT: Reductions proposed now and planned for future quarters will reduce General Fund expenditures, but still leave a potential gap between revenues and expenditures of $200,000. Recent information gives promise that revenues in future months may make up this difference. Other expenditure reduction options are being explored, as well as the possibility of drawing upon excess fund balance. RECOMMENDATION: After hearing public testimony and upon deliberation, staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the Resolution to reduce the Budget, and adopt the Resolution allowing a voluntary redirection of 6 v.i% of salary by elected officials. REVIEWED BY: '1;;"2--10 '7 Date