County to cut vacant jobs

Despite hacking $2 million from next year’s county budget, leaders say they believe they won’t need to lay off employees.

But that won’t mean jobs won’t be lost.

Much of the budget trimming is expected to be completed by eliminating jobs made vacant through retirements or other departures. In many cases, it’s unclear which positions will be cut.

When county commissioners asked department leaders a couple weeks ago for their ideas on trimming 2 percent of their budgets, some – such as Prosecuting Attorney Steve Tucker – said more cuts weren’t possible without hurting services.

Most of those officials have since been told that they’ll have to meet the reduction goal whether they like it or not. The parks department was asked to trim a bit more than the original 2 percent goal. Some small county units were given a reprieve.

“We need to make sure we don’t adopt a budget that exceeds the revenue that is expected to come in,” said County Commissioner Todd Mielke, echoing what’s become the main theme to this year’s fiscal proceedings.

On Monday, county commissioners will hold a public hearing about its 2007 budget. Although the board is expected to determine this week the final numbers each department will receive, they are expected to delay a decision on what to do with $2.6 million the board has leftover from 2006 (not including $13 million the board has vowed not to touch to maintain a reserve fund).

There is some debate among commissioners over whether all the $2.6 million should be used for one-time expenses like purchases of technology or ongoing costs like new positions.

Mielke said he leans against using the money for new salaries. Commissioner Mark Richard, however, said important public safety improvements are needed that might require creating new positions with a portion of the $2.6 million. County CEO Marshall Farnell said it’s difficult to say how much of the $2.6 million is money that will reappear every year through tax collections.

Up to $1 million of the $2.6 million likely will be given to outside nonprofit agencies that promote economic development, such as the International Trade Alliance. There is disagreement among the commissioners about which organizations deserve how much.

Here are a few cuts that officials have agreed to make:

“Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich has OK’d the deletion of two lieutenants from his lieutenant staff of ten with the hope that the department will gain extra money to pay for the positions next year through higher contracts to cities it services. The vacancies will occur after he promotes two lieutenants to his command staff. One will fill an opening left vacant by former Spokane Valley Police Chief Cal Walker, said Undersheriff Jeff Tower. The other is expected to replace Larry Lindskog, who plans to retire in the first half of next year.

“Treasurer Linda Wolverton has agreed to eliminate her tax collection supervisor position.

“Some departments decided to reduce overtime, postage or supply expenses.

“The parks department opted to reduce wages at its North Side pool.