After a difficult budget season last year, Lewis County is giving itself some breathing room starting its budget process roughly a month earlier than in previous years.
Lewis County began its preliminary budget process Wednesday, Sept. 10, with its first all-day meeting and continued that process last week with another day-long budget session on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The last of three preliminary budget meetings is scheduled for Wednesday.
According to County Budget Administrator Becky Butler, the county felt its budget process was a bit too close for comfort last year, especially considering the major deficit the county faced. Not only is the county getting a head start this year, but members of the Lewis County Citizens Budget Committee seem optimistic about the county’s financial outlook. Even so, the county still faces financial unknowns
In the first two meetings, the Lewis County Board of Commissioners and the citizens committee heard from more than 15 departments, including community development, superior and district courts, the county offices for the auditor, assessor, treasurer and one of its largest departments in public works. Each department presented in 30-minute slots with some larger slots being made for larger departments like Lewis County Public Works.
After this week's meeting, budget committee member Tim Wood said he expects the county won't have to make major cuts like it did last year going so far as to say he believes last year's cuts have put the county in a better position financially.
“In my opinion, the commissioners made some hard choices last year and forced the departments to make some very difficult cuts,” Wood said. “Rather than do what I think politicians are accused of many times, which is not doing enough, based on at least what we’re seeing so far about halfway through I think apparently they made the cuts that they needed to and now they’re at the point where they can actually allow at least an inflationary increase in the budget. In my opinion, I'm not hearing a lot of doom and gloom from the departments.”
Last year's budget gap was first estimated at roughly $5 million due to less revenue coming in than expected. According to previous Chronicle reporting, that was at least in part caused by the end of American Rescue Plan Act funds sent out by the Biden administration. The gap was eventually reduced to roughly $1.1 million. Among other cuts, the county was forced to cut around 30 positions.
Another member of the budget committee, Usha Sahadeva-Brooks, said she expected more cuts going into the budget season, but, after hearing more than half of the department's budget proposals, has changed her mind.
“I really thought with the major cuts that we would have more cuts from each department, but I’m pleasantly happy and surprised,” Sahadeva-Brooks said. “Maybe reallocate funding to make sure that they have what they need.”
The county still has more than six departments to hear from for its preliminary budget process, including two of its largest in the Lewis County Sheriff's Office and Lewis County Public Health and Social Services.
While the exact financial impacts are uncertain, the county also faces other challenges including 14 ongoing union negotiations. The county has also cited costs that have continued to rise in recent years for political and financial reasons, including the cost of public legal defense and general liability insurance. Public works also cited concerns over dwindling revenue in its roads fund, which also funds traffic enforcement efforts in the area.
The county board of commissioners is set to announce a public meeting to review the preliminary county budget during its Tuesday business meeting. According to a resolution from the county, that hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Residents are also able to review the preliminary budget for the county before that date either online at https://tinyurl.com/ymz35hny or in person by visiting the county budget department located in the Lewis County Courthouse, 351 NW North St., in Chehalis.
