PORT TOWNSEND — Improving a flagging local economy is a big focus of Jefferson County’s strategic plan, which the county commissioners unanimously approved Monday.
The county last updated the plan in 2001, which County Administrator Philip Morley now calls “a blueprint for how the county will marshal its resources for meeting current conditions and best serve county residents.”
Things have significantly changed in nearly 10 years, Morley said, presenting the final draft of the plan to the commissioners.
“So have the opportunities and challenges county government must face, including a worldwide recession that began in 2008 that profoundly affects families, business and our economy,” he said.
“County government has seen increases in the demands for some government services, while our means to provide them are significantly constrained.”
The plan is the result of meetings since May with county elected officials and department leaders.
The commissioners and Morley discussed taking the proposed strategy to a public forum for citizen comment but opted out, saying the plan had to be pushed through as a timely road map for the coming budget process.
“This is part of an ongoing approach with staff as we approach the budget,” said county Commissioner David Sullivan, D-Cape George.
The plan sets six priorities for 2010 and 2011:
• During the recession, maintain key public services within our means.
• Strengthen the efficiency and quality of county services.
• Put county government on a sustainable financial footing.
• Strengthen our local economy.
• Support our unique communities.
“It is essential in these tough times that county government marshal its limited resources and continue to find efficiencies in how we keep the public safe, protect the health of our citizens and provide other key services citizens depend on,” Morley said.
“County government must also pay its part to support a local economic recovery and building future prosperity that will benefit everyone,” he said.
The strategic plan comes as Morley is expected to paint another bleak picture of the state of the county’s finances, which he faced at the outset of his hiring in late 2008 and followed through with extensive budget cuts as county revenues dramatically declined in bleak economic times.
The county commissioners approved a $53.3 million 2010 budget late last year that cut 10 staff positions, reduced services and closed parks to narrow a $1.9 million funding gap over the next four years.
Volunteers later came forward to keep most of the county’s parks open.
The 2010-2011 priorities set in the strategic plan include forging and implementing a shared public-private economic development strategy through the county’s economic development arm, WSU Extension’s Team Jefferson and fund final design, land acquisition and construction for the Port Hadlock wastewater system, which county leaders see as a means to expand the Tri-Area’s business district now sitting on septic tanks and drain fields.
The plan also calls for implementing broadband Internet infrastructure for anchor government institutions and prepare the information technology community for broadband service that would lead to commercialization.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.