2020-06-02 Update with BudgetBudget Update
June 2, 2020
1:02 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper (Via zoom), Commissioner Fund (via zoom),
County Manager Erik Martin, Budget Manager Becky Butler, and Internal Services Manager Steve Wohld
Recorder: Tammy Martin
Tax Distribution - March’s distribution for the county was down 7%. January and February were also
down 5% and anticipating April to be a bigger loss. Centralia had a 46% decrease. Some smaller cities
surprisingly saw increases. Sales tax has been trending down pre-COVID-19 due to less construction than
2019. Gas tax has been down and tourism has taken a big hit as well. Good news is DNR projections are
looking profitable. Year end 2018 and 2019 had a positive end balance for the county. Impacts from
summer festivals will be seen at a later date. Courts fines and fees are down, but will resume with the
re-opening of the court systems. Becky said that HR and Budget are doing their best to move resources
around to be best utilized. Looking at properties not being used to sell, to have temporary reduction in
WSU, and have had to look at the possibility of future voluntary and on-going furloughs or possible
layoffs with HR approval, there has been a recommendation of a hiring freeze, an issuance of no non-
essential travel or training. HR and Budget are developing a tiered approach and a cost saving analysis to
save monies. There are small savings that can be made immediately and then based on future projects
and projections, the county can make an advancement to the next tier of reductions while doing the
best to serve the public.
2021 Budget - The first step is Internal Service (IS) rates. Becky asked if there will there be a 0% increase
over the 2020 rates. All three Commissioners agreed. Public works/fleet services need to review with
budget for vehicle and equipment purchases before adding them to the budget. Each department needs
to start reviewing budgets for departments individually.
Citizens Committee - Most of the group from last year would like to sign on again for this year. They may
start earlier based on their prior history and knowledge. All three commissioners agreed. There was one
new request this year for the PFD position
Coronavirus Relief Funds – There is a meeting scheduled June 10 to meet for a work shop for Corona
Virus funding
COVID-19 Expenditures - $772,000 that has been paid out
Budget Amendment: The Budget Hearing will be on June 15, 2020. There were $4.3 million where in
other costs all related to COVID-19
Positions 2 requests:
Modify a Lead Grade 18 to a GIS analyst Grade 22 and add an additional position for a Public Health
Nurse for Hepatitis C. Some of the Public Health nurse position will be funded by COVID-19 funds.
Adjourned 1:49 p.m.