Commissioners hear budget-cut feedback

Tue., Dec. 5, 2006

By Jonathan Brunt jonathanb@spokesman.com (509) 459-5442

Spokane County commissioners Monday heard bleak scenarios about what budget cuts could mean for residents.

Andy Jennings, president of the jail union, warned that reducing resources to the lockup could mean fewer criminals behind bars, backlogged courts and frustrated cops.

Superior Court Judge Kathleen O’Connor said there’s only so much that can be trimmed from the courts budget.

“We have to make sure we have sufficient resources to fulfill our statutory and constitutionally mandated functions,” O’Connor said.

The two spoke at Monday’s hearing about the county’s 2007 budget.

Commissioners are expected today to approve a budget that shows the county spending $141.2 million in 2007 and taking in $138.5 million, mostly from taxes.

If the projections are accurate, it will be the second year in a row and sixth year out of the past seven that the county has spent more than it has taken in.

The difference this year, commissioners say, is that almost all of the $2.7 million deficit will be spent on one-time items that won’t force future budgets higher.

Despite years of deficit spending, the county will be left with a sizable reserve fund of about 10 percent of its annual budget, an amount commissioners say will help them maintain quality bond ratings.

That $2.7 million will be divided before the end of the year among outside organizations mostly dealing with economic development, extra requests from county departments for improvements and an amount set aside for emergencies.

After Jennings spoke at Monday’s hearing, jail Commander Jerry Brady told commissioners he believes he won’t have to reduce staff even though his budget likely will be cut by $309,000.

That’s because the county has negotiated a deal with Premera, which provides health care coverage to county employees. Under the agreement, jail inmates will be able to get the same reduced medical rates that county workers receive. The lockup pays inmates’ medical bills while they’re in custody.

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