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Budget committee plans for loss of federal funds
In brief
by Jason Reed | News editor
The Lane County Budget Committee met Tuesday to discuss the possibility of losing one-third of the revenue for the county's general fund, which funds more than 40 services, including adult and youth criminal prosecution, law enforcement, public health and correctional facilities.
In a worst-case scenario, a budget was developed that would cut the equivalent of 230 full-time jobs, eliminate 29 county services and programs and reduce the number of county jail beds from 150 down to 12.
Three budget proposals were pored over by county administrators who had the job of deciding which services would need to be eliminated or reduced if the $20 million in federal timber aid money the county receives for its general fund is either decreased or discontinued.
Budget committee members worked on the worst-case scenario budget that was striped of any federal funds.
Another budget was drafted that allowed for a renewal of federal funding in a four-year plan that would offer the county reduced funding that incrementally decreases. In this budget, 13 services would be reduced and four eliminated.
Committee members also drew up a third budget option with the prospect of the full amount of federal money coming to the county.
County officials say the most likely scenario for a full renewal would happen if the timber aid is attached to a federal war spending bill, which allows for a one-year reprieve of full funding. The county faced a similar situation last year before federal legislators passed a one-year extension attached to another war spending bill. But that money is set to expire this July.
All three scenarios are "initial direction only," said David Garnick, the county's head of budgeting.
The county's budget committee must approve a budget by May 30, and the county would adopt it by June 25. Employees that would be laid off would likely be notified prior to the end of May, and would have to be let go by July 1.
jreed@dailyemerald.com
In a worst-case scenario, a budget was developed that would cut the equivalent of 230 full-time jobs, eliminate 29 county services and programs and reduce the number of county jail beds from 150 down to 12.
Three budget proposals were pored over by county administrators who had the job of deciding which services would need to be eliminated or reduced if the $20 million in federal timber aid money the county receives for its general fund is either decreased or discontinued.
Budget committee members worked on the worst-case scenario budget that was striped of any federal funds.
Another budget was drafted that allowed for a renewal of federal funding in a four-year plan that would offer the county reduced funding that incrementally decreases. In this budget, 13 services would be reduced and four eliminated.
Committee members also drew up a third budget option with the prospect of the full amount of federal money coming to the county.
County officials say the most likely scenario for a full renewal would happen if the timber aid is attached to a federal war spending bill, which allows for a one-year reprieve of full funding. The county faced a similar situation last year before federal legislators passed a one-year extension attached to another war spending bill. But that money is set to expire this July.
All three scenarios are "initial direction only," said David Garnick, the county's head of budgeting.
The county's budget committee must approve a budget by May 30, and the county would adopt it by June 25. Employees that would be laid off would likely be notified prior to the end of May, and would have to be let go by July 1.
jreed@dailyemerald.com
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