Vancouver, WA  ̶  Services now housed in Environmental Services will be reassigned to other departments to reduce expenses and boost efficiencies, Acting County Manager Mark McCauley announced Thursday.

The reorganization is an example of the county’s ongoing dedication to finding effective ways to serve the community and be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Making the changes now helps put the county on better financial footing as it faces a possible 5 percent General Fund shortfall for the 2017-2018 budget.

Responsibility for clean water services, storm water management, forest practices and vegetation management will move to Public Works. Responsibility for environmental permit applications regarding habitat and wetlands will move to Community Development. Responsibility for solid waste, sustainability and environmental education will move to Public Health.

“Although bringing people together to form Environmental Services in late 2009 improved communication and collaboration among environmental programs, we found it separated them from the construction, maintenance and development services they support,” McCauley said.

“This new structure will more strongly tie policies, requirements and plans with services and facilities in the community,” he said. “That will offer greater efficiencies, clearer priorities and better communication across departments and with residents.”

Under the streamlining plan, the county will eliminate four administrative positions and save nearly $1.26 million over the next 2 ½ years. The plan is effective July 1.

The reorganization follows streamlining moves in Information Technology and General Services and meets elements of a vision, mission and strategic actions statement McCauley spearheaded last year with elected officials and department heads. It calls for taking steps that make the county “more efficient and effective for the long term.” To meet other goals outlined in the statement, recommendations from internal workplace improvement teams are being put into practice.

CONTACT
Mark McCauley
Acting County Manager
(360) 397-2232
mark.mccauley@clark.wa.gov