Much was covered at Tuesday’s Klickitat County Commissioners’ meeting. Many housekeeping items were covered as well as a look at the budget for next year.
Looking at balancing the budget, Fiscal Services Manager Jenn Neil was tasked with working on countering a deficit of $4.8 million at the beginning of the budget workshops. Through thoughtful deliberation and strategic adjustments, the workshops concluded with a reduced deficit of $1.6 million. To that, Jenn Neil suggested:
“To balance the 2025 budget, I propose a multifaceted approach. Expenditures reduced by 1 million dollars demonstrating our commitment to fiscal responsibility. For the remaining deficit, I recommend splitting the balance between two funding sources. $800,000 from cumulative reserve. Which is utilizing the surplus of budgeted revenue from the 2024 Landfill operations. And $800,000 from the General Fund drawing on excess interest earnings received. This strategy achieves balance while preserving programs, preserves staff, essential services and minimizes strain on any single resource.”
Written testimony on the proposed budget will be accepted at the county until this Friday at 5 pm. Commissioners will likely vote on the Budget in the Monday, December 9th meeting.
The afternoon session was quick, with the passing of control of the Klickitat County Jail from control of the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office to the Board of County Commissioners under the Department of Corrections. After a brief discussion, Commission Chair Zoller called for the vote:
“All those in favor. Eye, Eye. All those opposed. Neigh. Thank you.”
Commissioner Dan Christopher was the lone no vote.
With that, the County Board of Commissioners are now in control of the newly formed Department of Corrections which will be run by Bill Franz, a 25-year veteran of the Washington State Department of Corrections