PORT TOWNSEND –Jefferson County needs to watch its costs, but the receipt of $500,000 in anticipated, unexpected payments could prevent any more cuts, County Administrator Philip Morley said this week.
“The [sales tax] revenue we are getting for the first part of 2010 is less than what we projected,” Morley told the three county commissioners Monday.
“But in the end we are almost exactly where we thought we would be.”
The “found money” comes from late payments from jail invoices from the Port Townsend Police Department as well as reimbursement for “extreme criminal justice expenses” incurred by the Jefferson County Superior Court for the double-murder trial of Michael J. Pierce.
Cut postitions in 2009
In 2009, the county cut the equivalent of 10.5 full time positions, and now has a staff of 287. The lost positions have not been restored.
The county additionally shortened the work week of most general fund employees to 37.5 hours from May 1 to Dec. 31 2009, but restored them to 40 hours on Jan. 1.
Morley did not anticipate any more cuts “as long as we can keep expenses down.”
Both sales tax and investment revenue in March were low, decreasing the overall 2010 projection.
“If revenues do not deteriorate further, other projected general fund revenues currently appear sufficient to backfill the shortfall and retain our projected year-end fund balance,” Morley said.
Morley said even if the county continues to hold the line, it still could fall into a deeper deficit in 2012 without additional revenue sources.
“We are restricted from raising property taxes more than 1 percent a year and that does not cover inflation,” Morley said.
Morley said that the county needs to monitor cash flow each month.
He advised the commissioners to “be prepared, develop strategies and continue to work with all branches, departments and unions, as appropriate.”
Moreley doesn’t think the county needs to impose radical cost-cutting measures such as those that have been used by Kitsap, King and Snohomish counties — for instance, closing offices one day each week.
However, he said he is monitoring these situations and will implement them if needed.
Volunteers for parks
Moreley said that some cost-cutting measures, such as requiring citizens to maintain parks, will be permanent.
“We no longer have the staff to mow the lawn in our parks,” Morley said. “The public will need to continue doing this.”
The county has a projected annual budget of $52.8 million, with a general fund balance of $15 million, and is one of the smaller counties in the region.
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Jefferson County reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.