Pierce County Executive will put off hiring positions
Pierce County will delay filling dozens of positions as part of $7.1 million in budget cuts and revenue adjustments announced Tuesday.
Among the positions that won’t be filled for now are six sheriff’s deputies, six corrections officers for a new jail unit and up to 21 positions in the planning department.
Meanwhile, two County Council members have announced their own plan to help balance the budget and stimulate the local economy. The plan includes expediting county road construction, freezing vacant positions and deferring property taxes for some homeowners.
In all, County Executive John Ladenburg announced more than $4.9 million in spending cuts for departments. Among other things, his plan would tap $1 million from reserve funds.
County budget director Patrick Kenney said the public should notice only minor service reductions because of the cuts. But county residents also won’t get services, like more sheriff’s deputies and opening more space in the jail, that were promised this year.
“We really wish we didn’t have to do that,” Kenney said.
The cuts come as the county faces a revenue shortfall of up to $7 million. Much of the shortfall is the result of the continuing real estate slump, which has meant lower-than-expected revenue from various fees and taxes. In addition, falling interest rates have cut into the county’s interest income.
Ladenburg recently directed department heads to recommend cuts of 1.5 percent in their budget this year and another 3 percent for 2009. The executive is still reviewing possible 2009 cuts.
In a letter to department heads Tuesday, Kenney said the 2008 cuts are temporary and subject to revision if revenue picks up later this year.
The cuts set the stage for next week’s County Council budget retreat. In the past, the retreat has been a forum to hash out new spending priorities. This year the discussion likely will focus on spending cuts.
In preparation for the May 22 retreat, two council members – Democrats Calvin Goings and Tim Farrell – have announced their own plan for addressing the county’s budget problems.
Among their proposals:
• Create a strategic economic development reserve fund to be used at the executive’s discretion.
• Borrow up to $10 million to speed construction of several county road projects that would increase freight mobility.
• Boost spending on summer job programs and internships for at-risk young people.
• Freeze the price of building, construction and sewer permits for 18 months.
• Temporarily defer property taxes for homeowners facing foreclosure because of the mortgage crisis.
• Leave noncriminal justice employee vacancies unfilled.
• Ban out-of-state travel for county employees.
Goings, a candidate for county executive, said the plan would immediately stimulate the local economy.
David Wickert: 253-274-7341
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