By Michele Smith
The Times
BOCC in Budget Talks for 2017
Commissioners also approve one-percent tax levy increases for next year
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Michele Smith
Workers put the finishing touches on the new and improved Columbia County transfer station building. The main building and operational equipment sustained major damage from a fire in 2015. The transfer station will re-open on November 8. Regular winter hours are: Tuesday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
DAYTON – The Columbia County Commissioners, County Auditor, and Department heads have been in budget discussions for the past couple of weeks.
During last week's regular commissioners' meeting, County Auditor Sharon Richter and the commissioners looked at current expenses for the preliminary 2017 budget. At the beginning of their session there was a $241,127 shortfall, but by the end, the current expense shortfall was about $200,000.
When asked about salary or COLA increases for county employees in 2017, Commissioner Dwight Robanske had this to say:
"If we are short, then the decision has to be made as to what areas we have to look at for reductions. If shortages continue, there have to be cuts somewhere.
"For instance, if District Court revenues are down, say 47%, then we ask why, and begin looking at that in budgeting," Robanske said.
"This is a very difficult time for us commissioners. None of them have enough money," he said.
Robanske said that before I-695 went into effect, there were two-thirds more dollars from the state than now.
The commissioners will continue working on the budget and have a final document for 2017 prepared before the end of the year, Robanske said.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners spoke with their special prosecuting attorney Dale Kamerrer in executive session.
When the regular session resumed, the commissioners approved a decision to allow Kamerrer to represent the BOCC in the matter of the countyprosecuting attorney's appeal of their decision not to pay her attorney fees and expenses in the ongoing Columbia County lawsuit.
Also during the meeting, a public hearing was set for the 2017-2022 Transportation Improvement Program for Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. in the commissioners' chambers.
County Treasurer Chris Mills and Public Works Director Andrew Woods were on hand to present information about levy certification for current expenses, and for the county road levy. The commissioners authorized:
Resolution 2016-29: An increase in the regular property tax levy to be collected in the 2017 tax year. The dollar amount of the increase, over the county road actual levy amount, from 2016, will be $14,808.53, which is a 1% increase from 2016.
Resolution 2016-30: An increase in the regular property tax levy to be collected in the 2017 tax year. The dollar amount of the increase over the actual current expense levy amount, from 2016, will be $13,726.04, which is a 1% increase from 2016.
The commissioners also approved a request from Lisa Ronnberg, the Public Works Department business manager, to offer an additional health insurance option for county employees, that would include the Premera Heritage Plan, which covers some Providence Network services, she said.
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