Budget proposal calls for 26 county job cuts

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A total of 26 current Yakima County employees will lose their jobs under a proposed final 2010 county budget that is burdened by rising expenses and falling revenue.

Another 10 vacant positions are being wiped off the board as well to balance the county's proposed $51.7 million spending plan.

The cuts mean fewer juvenile offenders can be locked up, fewer prosecutors, and less service from administrative offices like the treasurer, assessor and auditor.

The job losses are less than the estimates discussed last month, when commissioners raised the possiblity of cutting 45 to 60 positions. But the numbers will still amount to the largest layoff in history.

During a budget hearing Tuesday, commissioners signaled a desire for significant concessions from county labor unions next year to avoid similar layoffs in future years.

Labor negotiations are expected to include the county's request to reduce courthouse hours to four days per week and unpaid furloughs for employees.

"We will work with our labor partners to reconcile negotiations to our budget realities," Commissioner Mike Leita said. "If we fail, we will continue to see this scenario play out in future years."

The county has close to 1,100 employees and is the third largest employer in Yakima County, behind Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and Walmart.

The budget cuts are in response to rising expenses and declining sales tax and investment earnings during the economic downturn.

Spending next year will decline from the current $53.5 million for day-to-day county operations to $51.7 million next year, a more than 3 percent reduction.

At the same time, revenues are expected to decline from $52.4 million to $51.7 million next year.

The current year budget includes use of some reserve funds, but commissioners have committed not to raid the more than $5 million reserve next year.

When revenues generated by solid waste fees, the three-tenths criminal justice sales tax, county roads and other funds are included, total county spending next year will be more than $231 million. These "enterprise funds" are for specific purposes and can't be used to fund daily operations.

The 26 county employees will be laid off by the end of the year.

Harold Delia, administrative consultant to county courts, said he will close one juvenile detention pod, resulting in the loss of six staffers in juvenile. The cut means 42 juvenile beds will be open next year. Currently, 56 beds are in use.

Of the 42 beds, 28 beds are financed by the three-tenths sales tax while 14 bed are funded by the general fund.

Beginning next year, Delia said the Juvenile Justice Center will no longer accept juveniles brought in on graffiti offenses, eluding or car theft.

He said he would probably temporarily use overtime to hold juvenile offenders who are arrested for serious cases in those three categories.

Overall, the courts will lose 10.5 positions. Among them are a part-time court commissioner, a drug court coordinator, and two office specialists in Superior and District courts.

County Prosecutor Jim Hagarty, meanwhile, will lose three deputy prosecutors and two people in support enforcement.

Assessor Dave Cook said he will lose three people out of his 28-member staff.

"The worst part is it is going to affect services," Cook said. "It makes it tough to deal with, but we are all in the same position."

Sheriff Ken Irwin won't lose people but will lose seven vacant positions. Among those positions are three deputy retirements and the transfer of Chief Criminal Deputy Ed Campbell to the Department of Corrections. His position will not be filled.

The county is looking for a way to keep Eschbach Park open, perhaps by transferring the South Naches Road park to a nonprofit group or finding some revenue source outside the general fund.

A second budget hearing will be conducted Thursday at 7 p.m. at Yakima City Hall, leading to final adoption of the 2010 spending plan on Monday .

* David Lester can be reached at 509-577-7674 or dlester@yakimaherald.com.