 |
Despite some last-ditch pleas to save some jobs in the prosecutor’s office, Spokane County commissioners agreed Tuesday to lay off 149.6 workers and approve a budget that is down over $13 million from last year.
Before agreeing to the budget, the commissioners turned on the microphone Monday to anyone wishing to comment on what county CEO Marshall Farnell characterized as the “toughest budget process” he has seen in his time in Spokane County.
“This budget is historical,” Farnell said in his remarks to the commissioners. “We’re probably looking at right-size county government for the next couple of years.”
Farnell said the majority of the job cuts needed to balance the total $412 million budget will come from the general fund, which supports 115 full-time county employees. Others are from departments that receive grant money, special fees or other taxes.
While the job cuts were hardly a surprise – over the summer, the commissioners hosted a meeting at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center that clarified next year’s budgetary prognosis – there were some critical words directed at the board on Monday from prosecutor’s office workers.
“Commissioners, you are looking at an overworked body,” said Andrea Duggan of the prosecuting attorney’s bargaining unit, who attempted to save seven prosecutors who will lose their jobs. “I know there’s some extra money.”
Commissioner Mark Richard said he is unaware of any “extra money” other than the county’s reserve fund, which will drop to 8.4 percent – or $11.5 million of the $14.6 million general fund -- instead of the desired 10 percent.
Richard added the prosecutor’s office was not being treated any differently than any other county agency.
“Every department in this county is overworked,” he said.
As part of the anticipation of this year’s budget, nonunion employees were forced to give up raises for next year. However, union workers – such as in the prosecutor’s office – did not agree to give up part of their salaries. Instead, they agreed to take furloughs or, in some cases, reduce the number of hours they work or keep their offices open.
“If the prosecutor’s office is that committed (to saving jobs), then look at your salaries,” Richard said. “There isn’t some endless pool of money.”
Beginning on Jan. 2, 2010, the offices of the Spokane County Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer, Board of County Commissioners and the Board of Equalization will be open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Fridays, those offices will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The only exception is the Spokane County Elections Office, which will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.
The building and planning department’s business hours will remain unchanged: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and closed on Friday (due to staff furlough).
After approving the budget, board Chairman Todd Mielke said commissioners – and the county’s financial department – did the best they could with what they have.
“We know that we’re impacting individuals and families, as well as the necessary services we provide to the community,” he said. “But in the end, roughly 75 percent of the general fund budget is still committed to public safety and criminal justice, and almost 20 percent is dedicated to programs and services that are mandated by the state constitution.”
|
|
By
Mike Huffman
