Since 2009, the county organization has successfully restructured and adapted to the new reality brought about by the Great Recession.
Strong, conservative financial management policies, in place well before the economic collapse, positioned the county to continue providing levels of service that meet the needs of the community while maintaining the same, manageable tax burden.
Fiscal Year 2012
In February 2011, the Board of Commissioners voted to provide county staff direction for preparing the annual budget for FY 2012 and for the associated five-year financial plan. By a 3 to 2 vote, the staff was asked to prepare the FY 2012 annual budget consistent with the projection made for that year in the FY 2011 five-year financial plan, and to freeze spending at that level for the remaining four years of the new five year plan.
Accordingly, spending in FY 2012 is budgeted at nearly $204 million, which is within about $400,000 of last year’s projection, and the property tax rate remains unchanged at 63 cents.
New spending in FY 2012 is driven primarily by increased funding for the public school systems, new school construction debt, cost-of-living raises for employees, personnel and operating costs for the new detention center (which opens in July), general increases in operational costs, and previously planned capital projects.
Fiscal Years 2013 – FY 2016
Overall spending for the remaining four years of the planning period remains flat, as suggested by the Board of Commissioners.
Conclusion
The spending levels proposed for FY 2012, as well as those in the remaining years in the Five Year Financial Plan, are prudent and generally meet the needs of the County and the school systems while still maintaining adequate general fund reserves.
Additionally, if a new ¼ percent sales tax is approved in the May 17th referendum, then by FY 2016 the county will be in a position to replenish the capital reserve fund with revenues in excess of expenditures.
I appreciate the efforts of those who contributed to the preparation of the budget, and those of the many county employees who proudly and effectively serve our citizens everyday – I offer them my sincere gratitude. I especially want to thank deputy county managers Pam Dubois and Mike Downs, budget and performance manager Kalesha Kennedy, assistant finance director Susan Fearrington, accountant Becky Crabtree, and the county’s department directors for their considerable efforts. The county staff and I look forward to assisting the Board in its deliberations and helping it prepare the county for a better future.
Respectfully submitted,
John Day
County Manager