The Clark County Council today adopted its 2021 annual budget. The total expense budget for 2021 is $557 million.

In her remarks to the council, Interim County Manager Kathleen Otto said, “the recommended budget is balanced, sustainable and provides flexibility.”

2020 budget

Like many government entities, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the county budget.

The current 2020 expense budget, which includes everything that the county council has adopted through the 2020 fall supplemental, is $594 million.

Clark County has faced a reduction in revenues and increase in expenses due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The county currently is anticipating an approximate $6 million reduction in 2020 revenues for the General Fund due to the pandemic.

The county is anticipating an approximate $8 million reduction in expenses to the General Fund due to departments implementing efficiencies, reducing overtime expenses, curtailing non-essential spending, and having a hiring freeze in place.

“The hard work of county departments and offices to establish these reductions means we are able to adopt a 2021 budget without having to sacrifice services our residents deserve,” said Otto. “I appreciate and am proud of county staff efforts during this tumultuous year.”

2021 budget highlights

• $37 million less than the current 2020 expense budget
• Small number of requests for new General Fund dollars to identify efficiencies
• Preservation of General Fund reserves per county policy
• Maintains sales tax revenue forecasts at the same level as 2020

In its adoption, the council approved a General Fund and Road Fund property tax increase of .602% each. The council also adopted the full 1% and banked capacity option for the parks levy.

To see the budget presentation go to the council website at https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/clark-county-council-meetings. To watch a video of today’s budget hearing go to the CVTV website at https://www.cvtv.org/vid_link/31776?start=0&stop=9473.

CONTACT:
Kathleen Otto, Interim County Manager
564.397.2232, kathleen.otto@clark.wa.gov