2019-03-05 Budget MeetingBudget Update
March 5, 2019
3:06 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, County Manager Erik
Martin, Budget Services Manager Becky Butler
Guest: Linda Williams
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Commissioner Jackson asked Rieva Lester to set up quarterly meetings with the PFD, especially in
regards to the PFD’s construction schedule.
Commissioner Stamper said he would reach out to Dale Lewis regarding Secure Rural Schools funding.
Becky Butler said the National Association of County Officials (NACo) conference is planned for May 15-
17 in Spokane.
Becky said the sales tax distribution from December just came in. She noted that not all 2018 revenue –
SRS, grant allocations, etc. – has come in. She noted that the Treasurer’s Office also is behind on
reconciliation. Becky noted that the Treasurer’s Office has posted its most recent job opening internally
and externally. The group discussed the verbiage on the positing and discussed whether it fit the actual
work being done. Erik Martin noted that it’s ultimately up to the Treasurer to push for updated verbiage
and a higher classification.
The commissioners asked Erik Martin to reach out to Arny Davis to discuss his office’s needs.
Becky said Public Health and Social Services and Community Development transfers have not yet been
completed.
Becky said the December 2018 sales tax, 2018 timber tax and 2018 PILT revenues came in higher than
anticipated.
The commissioners asked Rieva Lester and Becky to set up a meeting with the Coroner’s Office.
Becky said the various offices and departments have asked for an update on the Environmental Health
Specialist I, Juvenile, animal control officer and deputy positions.
The commissioners supported moving forward with approval for the Environmental Health Specialist I,
Juvenile and animal control officer positions and to hold off on the deputy position until final numbers
are in.
Becky cautioned that attorney costs, jury costs and ops negotiations may impact the bottom line moving
forward.
Erik recapped a recent meeting regarding salaries for elected officials. Becky noted that elected
positions are paid equivalent to a grade 24 on the county’s pay scale. Erik noted that the Salary
Commission’s findings would be binding.
The commissioners discussed offering electeds a 3 percent raise or tying increases to the salaries of non-
represented employees. Erik noted that the commissioners cannot give themselves a raise so if they
approved an across-the-board raise, it wouldn’t go into effect until the next commission term. The
group noted that a Salary Commission determination would take effect immediately.
Erik said the creation of the Salary Commission is cumbersome.
Meeting ended at 4:01 p.m.