FY11 Budget Workshops Begin June 9th
Posted on 06-04-2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2010 |
Contact: Jessica Donald
Communications Specialist
208-287-6998
jdonald@adaweb.net |
Ada County to Hold FY11 Budget Workshops Beginning June 9th
(Boise, ID) – Next week, Ada County offices and departments will begin their Fiscal Year 2011 budget presentations to the Board of Ada County Commissioners. These presentations are open to the public and will be held from June 9th through June 11th at the Ada County Courthouse. (See schedule below)
Ada County Commissioners will again take a conservative approach to developing a balanced budget that still meets the needs of Ada County taxpayers. Commissioners have not increased the property tax portion of the budget by the allowable three percent for the past four consecutive years, and have indicated they are likely to again forego the allowable three percent increase in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.
Since 2006, the Board of Ada County Commissioners has chosen to forego the collection of more than $25.7 million in property taxes by not increasing cumulative tax-dollar revenues to fill County funding gaps. Last year the County’s overall budget was cut by nearly $22 million, a decrease in excess of 11 percent.
The County anticipates significant revenue shortfalls. In addition to property tax, County revenues also come from fees charged for services and sales tax/revenue sharing from the State of Idaho, but Commissioners are confident they can develop a budget that will not adversely impact County services or staffing. Upon the Board’s direction, capital projects will be eliminated or held to a minimum, and no merit pay increases will be given to County employees. An additional item impacting the budget is a looming PERSI (Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho) payroll tax rate increase – an unfunded mandate from the state - beginning in July 2011. These increases impact payroll taxes paid by both the County and its employees, and will continue over the next four years.
“Not taking the allowed 3% increase for four years has helped keep money in the pockets of taxpayers who’ve been hit hard by the economy,” said Ada County Commissioner Rick Yzaguirre. “I believe we’ve done exactly what taxpayers expect us to do and that’s to greatly cut the County’s spending to off-set declining revenues.” Residents should note that although Ada County has not raised its portion of property tax for four years, there are a number of other taxing districts outside of the Commissioner’s budgetary authority that make up their total property tax bill.
Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Workshops:
The FY11 Budget Workshops will be held in the Commissioners’ Public Hearing Room on the first floor of the Ada County Courthouse, from Wednesday, June 9th – Friday, June 11th, 2010, beginning at 9:00 AM each day. Members of the public are invited to chat with elected officials and department heads following their formal presentation to the Board. Presentations are scheduled as follows (times are approximate).
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Wednesday, June 9th
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Thursday, June 10th
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Friday, June 11th
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Introduction & Overview
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9:00 AM
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Public Defender
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9:05 AM
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Sheriff
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9:05 AM
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Emergency Management
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9:20 AM
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Trial Court Administrator
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9:45 AM
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Conclusion and Q&A
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11:10 AM
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Emergency Medical Services (Paramedics)
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9:40 AM
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Clerk/Auditor/Recorder
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10:40 AM
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Recreation & Event Services
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10:30 AM
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Information Technology
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11:20 AM
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Operations & Solid Waste Management
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11:10 AM
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Coroner
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1:00 PM
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Treasurer
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1:00 PM
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Assessor
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1:35 PM
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Juvenile Court Services
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1:25 PM
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Weed, Pest & Mosquito Abatement
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2:10 PM
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Prosecutor
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2:10 PM
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Indigent & Development Services
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2:55 PM
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Department of Administration
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3:45 PM
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