2024-05-28 Budget UpdateBudget Update
May 28, 2024
2 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Becky Butler
Guest(s): None
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Becky Butler provided the following overviews:
2024 year-to-date
• General Fund revenue is $482,000 more than at this time in 2023.
• General Fund expenditures are $469,000 more than at this time in 2023.
• Sales tax has dipped.
2025 budget planning
• Internal Service rate notices being sent to directors later in the day.
• Will meet with BOCC departments in June.
• BOCC will be asked to set limitations and establish 2025 direction during June 11 Budget
Workshop.
• Staff continues to test budgets in OpenGov.
• Budget training will be offered in June and July.
Opioid settlement funds
County has received more than $700,000 and expended $42,000, with funding going toward Narcan for
law enforcement and support for the Youth Advocacy Council.
Broadband grant
• Washington State Broadband Office is providing additional funds.
• Construction for contract No. 2 set to start.
• Will keep contract No. 1 open for Dig Once opportunity with new development.
Risk Services
• Staff continues working to identify areas of improvement and efficiency.
• The cost-allocation planning continues.
• Final Actuary report has been completed and staff is working with Milliman to adopt a structure
for insurance, workers’ comp and general liability.
• Service Animal Policy to be adopted in May or June.
• Third-Party Administrator (TPA) contract expired in 2018.
Fair
• Implementing planning strategies for Safety and Risk.
• Working through contract challenges.
• Coordinating with the PA’s Office and Risk Pool regarding roles and responsibilities.
• Transferring safety functions to DEM, working on electronic forms and notification lists for after-
hours incidents.
• Distributed rack cards for Risk callouts.
• Looking at consultant services to assist where county lacks expertise.
Public defense
• Decision regarding caseload standards expected in early 2025.
• Working on grant with Office of Public Defense for additional funding.
• Cross-training PDR staff and Defender of the Day.
• Working on ordinance changes.
• Looking for conflict attorneys for upcoming cases.
• Will issue RFP will for District Court, Superior Court and Conflict attorneys.
• Updated website and streamlined screening process for indigent defense is going well.
• Tiller expected to sign contract for Public Defense Coordination and Public Defender for the Day.
• The commissioners agreed to change the billing to 3.34 instead of 3.3333333333.
Meeting adjourned at 3:11 p.m.