County budget: $51.9M ... and cutting

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Call it a work in progress.

Yakima County commissioners adopted a 2010 budget Monday that includes job losses for 26 people, fewer beds for juvenile offenders and reduced public services.

The bad news? More budget cuts are likely after the new year begins.

The newly minted general fund budget of $51.9 million will have to shrink more because revenues continue to erode, commissioners say.

"This will have a serious effect on some people and the lives of county employees. We hope for better times to come," said Chairman Rand Elliott.

Commissioners said they will end 2009 with a $170,000 shortfall that will have to be made up by further adjustments during 2010. But they'll be looking for a total $400,000 in spending reductions to repay the money borrowed from county reserves to balance the budget.

Just how they plan to make it up -- based on discussions early next month with elected officials and department heads -- could include reducing courthouse hours to four-day work weeks and possible salary adjustments.

"That has to be processed through labor agreements," said Commissioner Mike Leita, adding that any further comment would be premature. "I don't want to conjecture how that will turn out."

Commissioners called the budget the most difficult with which they have had to deal because of the impact on the county's nearly 1,100 employees. The general fund finances daily operations of county government.

Under the 2010 spending plan, one pod of 14 beds at the Juvenile Justice Center will be closed, reducing the number of available beds from 56 to 42.

The auditor, treasurer and assessor departments will have to reduce service to make up for the loss of 6.5 positions.

The seven positions being cut in the sheriff's department are vacant.

Overall, county revenue will fall from an estimate of $52.4 million this year to $51.7 million next year. The major reasons are falling sales tax revenues and lower investment earnings because of low interest rates during the country's economic problems.

To offset the sagging revenue, county spending will fall from this year's $53.5 million to the $51.9 million figure. About $1 million in reserves were used to balance the 2009 budget.

Another $246,000 in reserves is being tapped to help balance next year's budget, and commissioners say they may have to use $170,000 more if tax revenues fall below expenses. Because the county has a policy requiring that reserve funds be repaid, commissioners have vowed to restore the money by the end of next year.

Yakima County budget at a glance

Expenditures

2010: $51.9 million

2009: $53.5 million

Revenues

2010: $51.7 million

2009: $52.4 million

Dipping into savings

$246,000 in reserves used to balance the budget.

Positions cut

26: currently filled

10: vacant

Courts and Juvenile Justice Center: 10.5

Sheriff's Office: 7 (vacant)

Prosecutor: 5

Defense counsel: 3.26

Assessor: 3

Auditor: 2

Clerk: 2

Extension: 2

Treasurer: 1.5

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