1985-15617-Minutes for Meeting May 22,1985 Recorded 8/1/1985Y` 4
851561'7
DESCHUTES COUNTY BUDGET COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 22, 1985.
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Chairman MacKenzie called the Deschutes CbYLir ! �F'mittee
Meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Commissioners tt:ld Prante
were in attendance, Commissioner Maudlin was absent; Mike Maier,
Jack Tate and Eileen Donaldson were also in attendance.
Commissioner Prante read aloud the Budget Message (see attached)
which recommends a change from the present 36 hour - four day
work week to a 37 1/2 hour - five day work week which will
provide the public with improved service and easier accessibility
to the County offices.
After discussion on the proposed five day work week, Chairman
MacKenzie requested input from. the.CommittP.e either in favor or
opposed to the recommendation. The Committee was unanimous in
favor of the proposed five day work week.
Mike Maier reported the following :
HEARINGS OFFICER
No reported change in revenue with a proposed and recommended
budget of $3,500.00.
The proposed and recommended budget requirement is $32,771.00.
TREASURER TAX
Helen Rastovich, County Treasurer, reported an increase in the
County tax base and the revenues collected in 84-85. The
proposed and recommended budget is $230,000.00.
An addition of office equipment has been proposed and recommended
in the amount of $17,900.00. The proposed and recommended budget
is $264,175.00.
COUNTY CLERK
A reduction of $2,500.00 in revenue has been proposed and
recommended.
An increased need for postage has been proposed in the amount of
$3,500.00; however, the recommended amount is $1,500.00. The
proposed budget is $127,053.00 and the recommended budget is
$123,053.00.
ELECTIONS
An increase in revenue is proposed and recommended in the amount
of $82,800.00.
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Overtime in the amount of $3,000.00 has been added to the budget
this year. Materials and Services have been proposed at
$85,800.00 to cover the election boards; however, the recommended
figure is $80,000.00. The proposed budget is $134,633.00 and the
recommended budgtet is $128,833.00.
LAW LIBRARY
The projected revenue is proposed and recommended in the amount
of $119,000.00
The proposed and recommended budget requirement is $119,000.00.
WATERMASTER
The Watermaster.'s Department is funded.by :Crook, Jefferson, and
Deschutes County with a small portion funded by Klamath County.
Electricity and water is being included in the budget since a
move of offices has been made.
The projected revenue is proposed -and recommended in the amounE
of $41,322.00.
SCHOOL FUND
An increase of $355,660.00 in revenues generated from forest
receipts is proposed and recommended. The proposed and recommend-
ed budget figure is $1,911,023.00.
The proposed and recommended budget requirement is $1,911,023.00.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND
Postponed until Commissioner Maudlin is available for discussion.
BUSINESS LOAN FUND
Commissioner Tuttle requested this item be postponed pending the
pre-closing of title for $500,000 business loan fund grant to
Deschutes County.
DATA PROCESSING
Revenues in the amount of $6,500 are projected from fees acquired
from access to the main frame computer by three Title Companies.
The proposed budget requirement is $304,768.00 and the recommend-
ed budget requirement is $305,768.00.
Chairman MacKenzie adjourned the meeting at 3:15 p.m.
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DE TES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
LAURENCE A. T TTLE, CHA AN
S STOW PRANTE, COMMIS IONER
I/ 0/��f
DICK MAUDLIN, COMMISSIONER
BOCC:kbw
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1985/86 BUDGET MESSAGE
These last two years of limited services and cost-effective
operations have provided the County with a reasonable carry
over. A decision facing the Budget Committee is whether to
maintain present limited service and a four-day week, reserving
the carry over for a future rainy day, or to increase the
services to the voters of Deschutes County. As Budget Officer, I
recommend increased services. I believe that the carry over
would not have a significant impact on the 86/87 year budget
without a new tax base.
In evaluating the recommended Deschutes County Budget for
1985/86, 1 ask -you .to take into account -the substantial changes
which have occurred over the last six years.
1. Six years ago, Deschutes County had a population
of 49,000 people. Today the population is
64,000. This represents a 29% increase.
2. Six years ago, the True Cash Value of Deschutes
County was just over one billion dollars
($1,146,305,889.00). Today the True Cash Value is
almost two and a half billion dollars
($2,485,582,434.00). This represents a 116%
increase.
3. In six years, the inflation rate has increased
nearly 400.
4. The recommended 1985/86 General Fund Budget calls
for 33% fewer employees than did the budget of six
years ago. This transition has been demanding.
Maintaining reasonably adequate services to an increased popula-
tion with minimum staff and reduced hours does not happen
automatically. Deschutes County is fortunate to have dedicated
and competent employees. We have reorganized departments,
implemented money -saving procedures and committed ourselves to a
County -wide automation program.
The results of these efforts are significant when one compares
total expenditures per capita to our neighboring counties.
According to the Bureau of Governmental Research, Deschutes
County spends 17.50 less per capita than Jefferson County; 19.5%
less than Klamath County; 37.5% less than Crook County; and 7%
less than the State average for all Oregon Counties. With
respect to the general administration expenditures, Deschutes
County spent 39% less than the State average.
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The cutbacks made in Deschutes County in June of 1983 were made
after the defeat of our levy. The subsequent savings enable us
now to provide much needed additional services this coming year.
(See attached.)
We can increase services either of two ways: Add significantly
to our present staff and remain on a four day week, or add a few
people and increase the hours of the existing staff. The
increased hours will enable us to use the training and the
experience of the people we have. Should cut-backs come in the
future it is less disruptive and less costly to reduce hours than
lay off employees. I also believe that we will experience
some increased production on a five day 37.5 hour week.
Recommended in this budget are several changes.
- Because of substantial workload
increases additional staff is recom
mended in the following departments:
* Assessor's Office
* Board of Commissioners' Office
* Building Maintenance
* District Attorney
* Juvenile Department
* County Counsel
* Administration and Personnel
* Solid Waste
* Mental Health
* Community Development
- Because of the likely elimination of
General Revenue Sharing, several major
ongoing expenses have been shifted to
the General Fund. These include
maintenance on data processing equip-
ment, a portion of the mental health and
juvenile budgets, capital outlay
expenses, memberships, and dues.
- Because we have realized significant
savings in operational expense, this
recommended budget proposes a return to
a 37.5 hour, five day per week operation
for all General Fund employees effective
October 1, 1985. Office hours would be
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
As Budget Officer, I stongly support returning County operations
to a five day, 37.5 hour work week, believing this provides a
maximum return on service -delivery dollars. However, we must be
aware that the County cannot continue indefinitely to provide
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this level of service on our present tax base. It will be my
recommendation that in May of 1986, when we are required to
present a tax base to the voters, that the tax base cover the
General Fund, Sheriff and Library operations.
I am convinced that the days of pouring money on problems in
order to resolve them are over, and never again will dollars flow
copiously into public coffers. Stringent budgetary controls and
effective management are and will be necessary if local govern-
ment is to continue to provide the services for which it is
charged.
It is also important for the citizens of Deschutes County to
realize that the tax base paid for by property owners accounts
for 20% of General Fund opc-rations an3,approximately 4% of the
total County operation. Deschutes County infuses into this
community over $25,000,000.00 in salaries, purchases and capital
operations.
This budget for 1985/86 provides the citizens of Deschutes County
with solid value for tax dollars spent on services we render.
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