Download Executive Budget Presentation

Executive Budget Presentation
County Council Meeting
Sept. 24, 2013
Thank you Chair McDonald and members of the County Council.
I am pleased to present to you the proposed 2014 county budget.
You have lots to read over the coming weeks, and I appreciate
the opportunity to share some highlights today.
I want to start with some good news ... which was hard to come
by during these recent recessionary years.
I am pleased to report that the economic outlook for Pierce
County continues to show improvement.
Revenues from sales and property taxes are up, reflecting an
increase in construction and consumer activity.
In fact, we are projecting an increase in traditional General Fund
revenues of 3-point-2 percent from the 2013 budget.
That said ... we must all keep in mind that one of our most
important tasks as county leaders is to develop, adopt and
implement a fiscally sustainable budget each year.
That's why I've been telling people we are not going to refill all of
the buckets that got emptied during the last 5 years.
Under our shared leadership, the county budget must maintain
three objectives:
a responsive local government,
a commitment to high service levels,
and a strong financial position.
I am confident that my proposed 2014 budget strikes the best
balance among those objectives.
This spending plan builds on efficiencies achieved in recent years
as we reset a smaller, leaner county government. I am proud of
the work that our employees have done to support healthy
communities by providing quality services - despite having fewer
resources.
This is the new norm, just as it is for the families and businesses
we serve.
We should not base spending decisions on how we've done
things in the past. Accountability is key. We have done a lot of
lean-management work to make sure every department is using
best practices.
We are setting new performance measures to ensure we run
county government as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Even though we are a large organization, we can be more nimble,
more strategic.
That's why my 2014 budget proposal makes some small
investments in key services. These investments are designed to
foster economic growth and support more efficient operations.
For example, I believe we should dedicate resources to ensure
that building permits are handled in a timely manner. Nothing will
slow our local economy faster than an understaffed permitting
division. We cannot allow that to hinder economic growth.
Therefore, I propose shifting revenue from building permits into its
own dedicated fund. In times like these ... when permitting is up
... there will be resources available to ensure we have enough
staff in place to handle the workload.
This will keep our economy moving forward.
In addition, this budget proposal provides support to respond to
the rising volume of license applications and property valuations
... both of which help our bottom line. Specifically, I propose
adding one F-T-E each for operations in the auditor and assessortreasurer offices.
My 2014 budget proposal includes additional resources to help
courts and the Prosecuting Attorney's Office improve operations
in our criminal justice system. These strategic investments will
increase access to justice by addressing civil and criminal
workloads and improving security.
These recommendations I've outlined are designed to boost an
expanding economy that provides revenue to support our highest
priority -- public safety.
My budget proposal dedicates a record 80 percent of the General
Fund budget to public safety and legal and justice services.
This includes one of our great successes in recent years -establishing a Sheriff's precinct in the Parkland/Spanaway area.
Residents and businesses there have been pushing for a more
visible law enforcement presence for many years.
When it opens in 2014, this new precinct will make a major
difference in the quality of life in that community.
Of course, we still face major challenges. Currently, the biggest
challenge involves operations at the Pierce County Jail.
There's been a lot of attention to this in recent days, but I want to
be clear about a few things.
The budget for the Corrections Bureau must be lowered ...
because the jail is housing fewer inmates. You all know why that
is -- some jurisdictions are sending their offenders to other
municipal jails.
Bookings in the Pierce County Jail are down 60 percent this year.
The average daily population is down 17 percent.
There is no reasonable expectation that this trend will reverse
itself.
As you know, no one should be alarmed about public safety.
Criminals are still being arrested and taken to jail. But they aren't
being taken to our jail.
This is concerning to all of us. The current model of operating
regional jails at the county level is failing across our state. I am
committed to working with the state Legislature to address this
problem.
Aside from the jail issue, our overall economic outlook is positive.
We continue to emphasize economic growth through initiatives
such as the annual Aerospace Summit and next year's planned
Farm Forum.
Another big economic driver will be carrying out a successful U.S.
Open in 2015, which is already benefitting our community.
Throughout 2014, we will continue working with the U-S-G-A to
prepare for one of the greatest events this region has ever seen.
We will also continue the wastewater treatment plant expansion
and upgrade that provides capacity for growth and development
for years to come. The heart of responsible governing is making
decisions today that ensure a viable future. I thank you for
supporting this very important project.
We will continue working with partners on the build-out of the
South Sound 911 communications system. This will make
citizens and first responders safer.
You will see that I've included a modest salary increase for county
staff. This is the same small investment you have approved in
some collective bargaining agreements.
But I want to briefly call attention to the fact that employees have
not had a cost-of-living adjustment for several years. In the
meantime, we've reduced employment in county government by
15 percent, and we’ve tasked them to do more with less. I am
thankful that improving economic conditions enable us to
recognize their efforts.
I believe that we have been working together as county leaders.
And I am committed to making the strategic choices that support
our collective mission and goals.
We can build on our strengths and generate resources that
support public safety and other local responsibilities, including:
A parks and recreation system that promotes healthy and active
living,
The Community Connections network of services that protect the
most vulnerable among us,
And sound roads and infrastructure that provide the foundation for
vibrant communities.
Thank you for the opportunity to present this 2014 budget
proposal to you today. We have spent months building a
sustainable spending plan that addresses our collective mission
and goals.
Now … we turn it over to you. In the coming weeks, county
directors and I stand ready to respond to your questions and
ideas before you adopt a final 2014 budget.
Thank you.
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