2019-20 County Proposed Budget

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 03, 2019

Update:

On Tuesday, June 18, 2019, the Washington County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the 2019-20 Fiscal Year Budget. In a separate vote the Board also adopted a new Fee Schedule for the coming fiscal year.

Update:

On Thursday, May 30, 2019, Washington County’s budget committees approved the 2019-20 County Proposed Budget after a series of public hearings. These community-led committees provide for public involvement in preparing the budget before its final adoption. This moves the process along to the final step on Tuesday, June 18 at 10:00 a.m. when the Board of County Commissioners is expected to adopt the proposed appropriations. The hearing will be held in the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building Auditorium and public testimony is welcomed.

Original Release:
Washington County’s proposed $1.4 billion total budget is now available online for public review and comment. The financial plan represents a moderate increase in discretionary spending in response to the increased demand for countywide services.

According to County Administrator Robert Davis, “With growth remaining a theme in almost every line of service, the proposed budget reflects our ongoing commitment to provide quality and equitable services to all, while also directing new investments to Board priorities and continuing to ensure the overall, long-term financial stability for the County.”

The proposed budget signifies an increase of $121 million or 9 percent over the 2018-19 adopted budget. Expenditures anticipated from the County’s general fund, the portion of the budget over which the Board of Commissioners has the most discretionary spending authority, would be $37.1 million, a 13 percent increase over last year.

Revenues from property and other taxes supporting the general fund increased by 5 percent compared with the 2018-19 fiscal year. This single revenue category supports 59 percent of the county’s general fund.

Major investments in the proposed budget include:

Support for Increased Service Demand – Just over 80 new positions are recommended in the proposed budget for a total of 2,188 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. These positions would address increased service demands for many departments and offices including Health & Human Services (HHS), Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office and Support Services. New positions in Support Services would enable vital work to continue across the organization including equity, inclusion and diversity initiatives, employee training and development, corporate space planning and building design and technology integration in support of the county’s overall public service mission.

Affordable Housing – The proposed budget would allow the county to expand its practice of directing discretionary dollars toward growing the supply of much needed affordable housing. A total of $4 million is earmarked for low-income housing development and services and could be used in combination with other resources to plan, design and construct affordable housing in Washington County. Combined with additional revenue from Metro’s Regional Affordable Housing Bond Measure approved by voters in 2018, the County is gearing up with community partners to increase the availability of affordable housing in an equitable manner.

Seismic Strengthening – Completion of earthquake retrofitting of the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building (PSB) is anticipated during the current fiscal year. Design and engineering for seismic retrofitting of the Walnut Street Center (WSC) will commence in fiscal year 2019-20. Once completed, nearly half of the county’s owned square footage will have been strengthened for the effects of a major earthquake. WSC is home to Fleet Services, Emergency Management and a portion of Land Use and Transportation’s key functions.

Space and Facilities Planning – The dual challenge in managing growth in countywide services includes efficient and accessible facilities as well as adequate staffing. The proposed budget provides for the addition of County-owned and leased space to accommodate these growing needs. These include:

• Recently purchased “Blanton Property” formerly owned by Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVF&R) and currently home to the HHS Public Health Division.
• Long-term lease of the SunTech Corporate Park property in Hillsboro for the upcoming relocation of the Elections Office, in time for the 2020 primary and general elections.
• A new Public Safety Training Center, scheduled to open in July 2019, will provide the Sheriff’s Office and other county law enforcement agencies with several realistic, scenario-driven training venues which include an indoor firearms range and an emergency vehicle operations course.

Members of the public are encouraged to participate in this year’s budget process in a variety of ways:

• Review the fiscal year 2019-20 Proposed Washington County budget reports and submit questions or comments to [email protected].
• Attend any or all budget meetings and hearings scheduled in the month of May, to be held in the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building, Auditorium, 155 N. First Avenue in Hillsboro.
  • Thursday, May 9, 5:30-9 p.m.—County Budget and Service District for Lighting No. 1 Budget Committee meetings
  • Tuesday, May 14, 5:00-9 p.m.—County Special Districts Budget Committee meetings
  • Thursday, May 30, 5:30-9 p.m.—County Budget Hearing

Over 2,000 dedicated County employees are united in the mission of Washington County government to provide excellent and cost-effective services that support healthy, peaceful, safe and sustainable communities; and encourage meaningful participation in community activities and county governance.

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