By Pat Jenkins
The Dispatch
Money for more police manpower and a public park in Frederickson are part of Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier’s budget plans for the county in 2018.
Dammeier presented his proposed budget for next year to the County Council last week. Council members will hold several public meetings and hearings before approving a final budget.
The total general-fund budget request of $327.35 million – money for the standard operations of county government and services – is the first by Dammeier since he took office in January after his election last fall. If it's finalized at that amount, it would be $24.9 million higher (an 8.3 percent increase) than the current budget for 2017.
The increase reflects the additional investments in public safety, according to Dammeier.
The total county budget for all funds for 2018 would be just over $1 billion.
Dammeier said the overall focus of county spending is on the public's safety, health and stewardship.
“The budget we have developed has three primary objectives,” he said. “We intend to create vibrant communities where people feel safe and have access to behavioral health, foster an entrepreneurial climate that expands family-wage jobs in Pierce County, and operate an effective government. And, we must do so in a fiscally responsible manner, so we can deliver essential services for our citizens, now and into the future.”
Those were priorities Dammeier addressed during last year's election, when he ran to replace Pat McCarthy, who was term-limited from seeking re-election. Before seeking county government's highest office, Dammeier was a state legislator.
For law enforcement and criminal justice, Dammeier proposes the addition of one sergeant, two deputies and two corrections officers for the Sheriff Department, three new positions in the prosecuting attorney’s office, and the equivalent of four and a half positions in the courts system.
Cross Park, which is being developed in Frederickson as that community's first park, would continue receiving county resources under Dammeier's plan.
Other highlights of proposed spending in 2018 include:
• $4.4 million dedicated to public-private partnerships expanding crisis response and diversion programs for those in need of mental health, behavioral health and substance abuse treatment.
• $14.8 million to address homelessness in partnership with social service, non-profit and other government organizations, in tandem with promoting regional solutions. Funding also is recommended for a new Homeless Empowerment Labor Program (HELP) for day labor.
• $6.3 million for deferred maintenance and reconfiguration of the County-City Building.
• Expansion of the Foothills Trail network in the county's eastern area.
The proposed budget also includes paying down $4 million in outstanding interfund loans for the two county-run airports and Chambers Bay golf course. “By paying off these loans today, we will be better positioned to address our residents’ needs in the future,” said Dammeier.
He also wants theh county to sell approximately $5 million in county-owned property has been categorized by the council as surplus.
“We must be excellent stewards of the resources our taxpayers have given us," Dammeier said. "They expect us to use our resources with the same smart and sound budgeting practices they use at home. That’s why we are paying off some outstanding loans and ensuring our financial reserves are stronger, in case of a significant emergency or economic downturn.”
The proposed budget maintains a 15 percent unassigned General Fund reserve, which provides cash flow without disrupting critical services and maintains the county’s bond rating.
The full budget plan is available at the county website. So is a schedule for council meetings and hearings starting in October and tentatively ending with a council vote Nov. 21 on a final budget.
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