Bob's Update on the 2010/2011 Budget Recommendations

My recommended budget for 2010/2011 is now available online and will be presented formally this week at Wednesday's Board of Commissioners Ways & Means meeting.

These recommendations represent a year's worth of work with Administration, the Board of Commissioners, Department Heads, our elected officials, union leadership and staff. Each group has been critical to molding our 2010/2011 budget to address the needs of our community while addressing the projected $30 million budget deficit. These comprehensive recommendations are available online as part of the materials for the September 16th Ways and Means Committee meeting.

Due to the magnitude of the budget deficit of $30 million the budget process was divided into two phases. The first phase of recommendations addressed $14.4 million of the $30 million shortfall with 25.75 FTE reductions. The remaining reductions were in large part dependent on the economic discussions with our 17 union partners representing 81% of our employees.

Earlier this summer Human Resource Director Diane Heidt and the negotiating team began meeting with most of our labor partners to discuss the economic challenges that the County must address, and the unavoidable need for economic concessions from employees. Simultaneously, I worked with the Budget and Strategy Team on additional options as identified in Phase 1 of the 2010/11 budget adjustment recommendations. 

I had hoped that we would complete the economic discussions and reach an agreement with our unionized partners before the recommendations were submitted to the Board, but many of these discussions are still ongoing.  Based on the progress of these discussions, however, I have included an estimate of potential savings from labor concessions in compensation and benefits. If these assumptions don't materialize by October 16, 2009, we will be forced to find the necessary savings in other areas.

This is an ongoing process that doesn't look like it will get easier for the next few years. While these recommendations address our projected deficit for 2010/2011 we must realize that the projections for 2012/2013 aren't much better. These are unparalleled times and while we may not be able to change the economy we can control our reaction to it - we have a plan, and we have a timeline and most importantly we are on track to continue fiscal stability.  The organization may look different over the next few years, but our commitment to public service and to this community remains steadfast.

Please remember you can get in touch with me anytime by email.

Bob