Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council will hold a public hearing on the 2018 spring supplemental at 10 am Tuesday, April 24, to consider adopting proposed amendments to the 2017-2018 budget.

The council adopted the biennial budget in December 2016; it went into effect Jan. 1, 2017.

The 2017-2018 adopted budget is $946.9 million, $323.2 million of which is the General Fund. It is the county’s largest fund and includes all discretionary revenue. The county’s second-largest fund is the $161.3 million Road Fund.

In the budget, the council designates money for community services, including: the Sheriff’s Office, courts, jail and the juvenile justice system; road construction and maintenance; construction and maintenance of parks and public buildings; zoning and land-use; building permits; public health, mental health and substance abuse treatment programs; property value assessment; elections; Treasurer’s Office; Geographic Information Systems; animal control; code enforcement; and environmental programs.

State law allows for supplemental budget appropriations throughout the biennium as needed. The Budget Office typically schedules three supplementals, one in the spring of each year and another in the fall of the second year of the biennium. The purpose of the spring supplemental is for technical adjustments, critical or urgent items. Requests usually pertain to new or updated grants and contracts, revenue forecasts updates, and other required adjustments.

County departments and offices submitted 76 funding requests totaling a net fund balance change of $7.1 million across all county funds for the 2018 spring supplemental. The interim county manager’s recommended budget is fiscally conservative. It limits ongoing expenses, preserves adequate reserves and continues to promote a safe community by maintaining service levels and protecting mandated law and justice functions. 

Included are proposed reductions and efficiencies for the general fund related to Technology Services personnel costs and Human Resources countywide training. This proposal will save $0.4 million in 2017-2018 and $1 million in 2019-2020. The net effect is a positive general fund balance change of $0.3 million in 2017-18, followed by a positive change of $0.6 million in 2019-2020. 

Details of the recommended budget amendments and can be found at Budget 2018 Spring Supplemental Presentation. A resolution for the 2018 spring supplemental can be found at Resolution. A full description of the recommendations can be found at Amendments. 

CONTACT
Jim Rumpeltes
Interim county manager
County manager's office
360.397.2232
jim.rumpeltes@clark.wa.gov