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2020-21 County Proposed Budget

Washington County’s proposed $1.4 billion total budget supports continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic and strategic investments in equity, economic development, affordable housing and transportation.
Media release
County Administrative Office

Posted

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Board adopts budget for fiscal year 2020-21
UPDATED: 06/16/2020
Sponsored by: County Administrative Office

Community encouraged to consider $1.4 billion spending plan


Update:
On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, the Washington County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the 2020-21 fiscal year budget. In a separate vote the board also adopted a new fee schedule for the coming fiscal year. An appropriation was made to the Sheriff’s Office for Body Worn Camera Program, but the Board is calling for further engagement with historically disadvantaged groups before spending is authorized.

Update:
On Thursday, May 27, 2020, Washington County’s budget committees approved the 2020-21 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 16 at 10 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 spending plan, which was developed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, represents a leveling off of discretionary spending when compared to the prior fiscal year.

“Although the full impact of the pandemic will not be understood for some time to come, and although many factors are shaping the demand and support for our services beyond today’s public health crisis, we know enough now to frame our proposed budget around the overarching principles of continuity, caution and the desire to stay true to our pre-pandemic priorities, as much as possible,” writes Interim County Administrator Stephen Rhodes in the budget documents introductory message.

The proposed budget signifies a slight decrease by $64.7 million or 5% below the 2019-20 modified budget. The overall decrease is largely explained by capital projects coming to completion just as new projects are still in the design phase. Growth in 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 $1.6 million, about even with the modified budget of the current year.

Revenues from property and other taxes supporting the general fund increased by 4% compared with the modified 2019-20 fiscal year. This single revenue category supports 58% of the county’s general fund.

“Our entire organization, 2,205 full-time equivalent (FTE) strong, has rallied to the cause of keeping vital public services going,” explains Rhodes in his budget message. “The most visible aspect of these vital services has become the work of hundreds of employees who staff the County’s Public Health Division and our Emergency Operations Center.”

“The proposed budget has also been developed with prudence, both in terms of protecting the ongoing support for the vital services relied upon during the current crisis, but also in terms of the investments our community will need in the months and years ahead to recover and thrive,” writes Rhodes.

In addition to supporting pandemic response and maintaining services throughout the organization, the proposed budget seeks to invest in areas that the Board of Commissioners had long identified as priorities, including:

  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – In keeping with the direction in a resolution adopted by the board in February, the proposed budget includes resources supporting the creation of five new positions, beginning with a Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, within the County Administrative Office. The current Community Engagement Program will also merge into a new Office of Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement. Among other goals, the new program is charged with developing a robust plan and organizational capability to foster, support and strengthen equity and inclusion in the county’s programs, practices and policies.
  • Economic Development – An economic development manager position is also created within County Administrative Office, after careful research and consultation with local government peers, businesses, chambers of commerce and community-based organizations. Although recruitment for the new position is not planned until early in 2021, contracted consulting and coordination with several community-based organizations have supported an immediate programmatic response during the pandemic. Roughly $300,000 in grants and $875,000 in low-interest loans are being awarded to small business affected by the governor’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” order with particular emphasis on businesses that have historically faced a systemic lack of access to banking resources.
  • Affordable Housing and Homelessness – Although regional and local capacity building in recent years is incrementally expanding the availability of affordable housing throughout Washington County, demand continues to outstrip supply. Through various funds in FY 2019-20, roughly 500 units of affordable housing are in pre-development or under construction within Washington County. The effort continues into the proposed budget year to meet a goal of developing over 1,300 affordable housing units in Washington County in the years ahead supported by a regional affordable housing bond measure approved by voters in 2018. In terms of homelessness, the most recent “point-in-time” count shows the numbers of those needing shelter has flattened or are slightly increasing over the last five years, from 591 in the year 2015 to 618 in January of 2020. Nevertheless, temporary shelters have seen a dramatic 70% increase in usage over the last three years and chronic homelessness remains a challenge, particularly with respect to the need for addiction treatment, mental health and other services in many cases. Despite a temporary statewide moratorium on evictions due to lack of rent payments during the COVID-19 pandemic, the county is bracing for increased homelessness due to current constraints on the economy.
  • Transportation – Included in the FY 2020-21 budget is funding for a robust capital improvement program with 94 projects totaling of $125 million. The Land Use and Transportation Department’s Annual Work Program also focuses on the implementation of the context-sensitive “complete streets” road design standards update. The county department continues to collaborate with the Oregon Department of Transportation, TriMet and other area transportation agencies regarding Metro’s Get Moving 2020 funding measure, which is expected to be on the November 2020 ballot. If the measure passes, it will include improvements on Tualatin Valley Highway, between U.S. Highway 26 and Forest Grove; 185th Avenue, between the Portland Community College Rock Creek campus and Farmington Road; and planning for the Highway 217 corridor.

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

Over 2,200 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.

Media Contact:

Philip Bransford, Communications Officer
503-846-8685
[email protected]