2018-06-19 Update with BudgetUpdate with Budget
June 19, 2018
2:33 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Becky Butler, Steve
Walton, Erik Martin (by phone)
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Becky Butler said she would work on a resolution, policy and procedures for the budget citizens group.
The commissioners said they’d like to have one volunteer per commissioner district.
She said she could send application requests out within the next couple of weeks.
Becky discussed expenditure limits for 2019.
She said the 2019 revenue estimate is roughly $36 million without the shift. She discussed the possible
property tax changes linked to the proposed wind farm.
Erik Martin said Public Works would need to know as soon as possible if the commissioners are seriously
considering a roads shift.
Becky said that for May 2018 revenues are up 6 percent over the May 2017 revenues but that
expenditures have increased 8 percent in that timeframe.
Becky cautioned the board about health insurance premium increases. She said cybersecurity attacks
and PDR claims are other major concerns for the future.
The group discussed possible county funding for the senior centers and whether to include a figure in
the preliminary budget or whether to leave it zeroed out until and unless the senior center
representatives approach the BOCC with a request. Commissioner Fund and Commissioner Stamper
agreed on a $50,000 placeholder.
Revenue options
• Weed assessment
• Cost allocation plan for county manager
• Public safety tax
• 911 communications tax
• Grant writer
• Reduce contribution to seniors
• Negotiate a more favorable consumer price index (CPI) with the city of Tacoma
The commissioners supported moving forward with expenditure limitations similar to those of years
past, with no increase in operations.
Becky discussed the need for a county grant writer.
Commissioner Fund said she has spoken to the EDC about hiring someone to perform the grant writing
for the county. Commissioner Stamper said he’d ask Matt to add it as a topic for a future meeting.
Erik weighed in about possibly contracting grant-writing services.
Meeting adjourned at 3:44 p.m.