PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners Tuesday approved an $83.3 million budget for 2011 that keeps core services intact and draws $1.43 million from reserves.
The same budget was discussed in two public hearings last week. No public testimony was taken.
“We had six months’ worth of discussion,” Commissioner Mike Chapman said.
The county laid off four employees and left 19 positions unfilled to close what was originally a $3.1 million budget deficit in August.
The $1.43 million drawn from reserves leaves more than $8.07 million in the rainy day fund for the future.
‘Challenging time’
“It’s been, as you know, a rather challenging time for local governments,” Commissioner Mike Doherty told the audience in the weekly business meeting.
The county’s general fund covers core services like sheriff’s deputies, courts, public health and the county jail.
Small reductions in customer service hours were made to allow reduced staff to complete mandated tasks.
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and District and Superior Court Clerk’s offices will be closed from noon to 12:30 p.m.
Projected expenses in the county’s general fund outweigh revenue $32.5 million to $31.1 million.
The county will spend $83.3 million in the total budget, which includes grants and tax revenue.
No wage increases
There will be no cost-of-living increase for the county’s 391 full-time equivalent employees.
The three commissioners and County Administrator Jim Jones will not get a pay raise in 2011.
Jones has said that the budget will put as much as $58,419,782 back into the local economy through salaries, outside services and capital improvements.
Meanwhile, commissioners also established the 2011 general purpose and road fun property tax levies. Both are the standard 1 percent increase.
The increase amounts to $93,793 for general purpose and $63,270 for the road fund.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.