After revenue review, commissioners OK filling two positions

After going over an analysis of their 2010 Current Expense Fund budget on Tuesday, Wahkiakum County Commissioners authorized two department heads to add employees to their staffs.

The positions, in the assessor's office and Health and Human Services Department, will be funded by grants, and in the case of Health and Human Services, was already in the department budget.

Commissioner Lisa Marsyla conducted the analysis, looking for pockets of funds that might be used to cut the Current Expense Fund's expected $193,000 shortfall. Instead, she found that the deficit might actually be $197,000. Commissioners anticipated the deficit in their budgeting process last fall and diverted $200,000 of the County Road Levy to handle it.

Marsyla said she found many places where small amounts could be saved, but several large issues canceled the savings.

She noted that officials had estimated revenue from state managed county trust timber sales at $1.3 million, but the recent review put the figure closer to $1.036 million, a $64,000 difference.

A miscalculation of benefits for jail and sheriff's department workers added another $25,000 to the deficit, and District Court overestimated revenues $15,000, she said.

The county can't count on usual sources for more revenue.

Timber revenue is going to be tight, said Commissioner Dan Cothren. The domestic market is declining after an upward trend, he said, and the amount of harvestable timber on county trust timberland is limited.

Commissioner Blair Brady said state officials last week told the Washington Association of Counties that the state is facing continuing revenue shortfalls that will impact county programs.

"We need to know the level of government we need and to make choices so that our departments are adequately funded," she said. Staffing levels have already been reduced, she added, and employees are now struggling to provide necessary services.

"I know people are struggling," she said. "It's important to address that."