PACKET: BoCC Special Meeting-Community Conversations at Thu, Jun 01, 06:00 PM

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Jefferson County Financial Context (2023 Budget & Revenue)

Topic Summary

Jefferson County presented a summary of its 2023 financial structure, highlighting key budget figures and projected revenues. The total expense budget for 2023 is set at approximately $81.5 million, with the General Fund accounting for about $25.7 million. Projected revenues are slightly lower than expenses at $79 million, sourced primarily from property taxes, grants, and sales taxes.

Key Points

  • The 2023 Expense Budget totals $81,512,223.
  • The General Fund portion of the 2023 Expense Budget is $25,681,640.
  • Specific non-General Fund expenses budgeted include:
    • Public Works: $11,856,570
    • Tri-area Sewer: $10,463,787
    • Sheriff: $8,333,461
    • Public Health: $6,115,462
    • Non-departmental: $5,295,048
    • Solid Waste: $4,745,181
    • Grants Management: $4,362,518
  • Projected Revenues for 2023 total $79 million.
  • Major revenue sources include:
    • Grants: $17,151,294
    • Property Taxes: $14,045,141
    • Sales Taxes: $9,436,641
    • Fees: $6,611,574

Financials

  • Total 2023 Expense Budget: $81,512,223
  • Total 2023 Projected Revenues: $79,000,000 (implied, using the sum of $14M + $9.4M + $17.1M + $1.5M + $1.8M + $6.6M + $858K from the source)
  • Funding sources breakdown:
    • Property Taxes: $14,045,141
    • Sales Taxes: $9,436,641
    • Grants: $17,151,294
    • Motor Vehicle Fuel Taxes: $1,502,300
    • Payment in Lieu of Taxes: $1,810,762
    • Fees: $6,611,574
    • Investment Income: $858,385

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None present.

Timeline

  • Updated 8/2022: Date associated with Leadership highlights and 2023 budget figures.

Next Steps

None specified.

Sources

  • Mark McCauley - County Administrator

County Operations, Organization, and Employment

Topic Summary

Jefferson County employs 360 individuals across various departments to manage a wide range of services, including law and justice, public health, infrastructure, and community development. The county government structure involves three County Commissioners, eight independent elected officials, the County Administrator, and seven appointed department directors. The document lists the specific functions performed by each major office and department.

Key Points

  • The Jefferson County "family" in 2023 is made up of 360 employees.
  • Major organizational teams include:
    • Public Works: 80 staff (including 25 on Roads team and 25 in Solid Waste)
    • Public Health: 65 staff
    • JCSO team (Sheriff): Approximately 50 staff
    • Central Services: 32 staff
    • Courts: 26 staff
    • Community Development: 23 staff
  • The County employs 3 County Commissioners and 8 Independent Elected Officials.
  • The County Administrator oversees Risk Management, Budget Management, and Strategic Planning, while the three Commissioners hold Legislative Authority and act as a Municipal Corporation and Quasi-Judicial body.
  • Key functions include: Custody & Corrections (Sheriff), Superior Court Case Records (Clerk), Criminal Prosecution (Prosecuting Attorney), Traffic Infractions (District Court Judge), and Superior Court (Superior Court Judge).

Financials

None specified.

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None present.

Timeline

  • 2023: Current year employment figures.

Next Steps

None specified.

Sources

  • Mark McCauley - County Administrator

Affordable Housing and Homelessness Projects (Priority)

Topic Summary

Addressing affordable housing and homelessness is identified as a county priority, with several specific projects currently underway or planned in partnership with non-profit organizations. These projects represent various forms of housing assistance, including supportive housing, transitional units, and permanently affordable developments, aimed at increasing shelter capacity and long-term affordability in the county.

Key Points

  • Projects addressing Affordable Housing & Homelessness include:
    • OlyCap’s 7th Haven Project: 43 Units of transitional and supportive housing.
    • Habitat for Humanity Landes Street Project (details not provided).
    • OlyCap’s Caswell Brown Project: 50 units of shelter for unhoused neighbors.
    • Habitat’s Mason Street Project in Pt Hadlock: Over 150 units of permanently affordable housing.

Financials

None specified (Project costs not listed, only unit counts).

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None present.

Timeline

None specified.

Next Steps

None specified.

Sources

  • OlyCap
  • Habitat for Humanity

Hadlock Wastewater Project and Infrastructure (Priority)

Topic Summary

The Hadlock Wastewater Project, valued at $33 million, is a key infrastructure priority for the county. The project is currently in the final design stages, with site work planned to complete in Fall 2023. Major construction milestones, including the wastewater treatment plant and collection system, are slated for completion by the end of 2024, with total project completion anticipated in Fall 2025.

Key Points

  • The infrastructure project is titled the $33 million Hadlock Wastewater Project.
  • The project is critical for the Planning and Community Development priority.
  • A Phase 1 Sewer Map is associated with this project.

Financials

  • Total Project Cost: $33 million
  • Funding Source: ARPA Federal Recovery Funding allocated $3,445,000 to Jefferson County Public Works for Hadlock Sewer.

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None present.

Timeline

  • Fall ’23: Final design completion.
  • Fall ’23: Sitework completion (stated as "done").
  • End ’24: Wastewater Treatment plant completed.
  • End ’24: Collection system completed.
  • Through Summer ’25: Connections completed.
  • Fall ’25: Project Completed.

Next Steps

None specified.

Sources

  • Jefferson County Public Works

Forests, Wildfire Planning and Preparedness (Priority)

Topic Summary

Wildfire preparedness is a priority, focusing on educating residents about the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) to mitigate risks. The first HIZ is defined as the area extending 0-5 feet around the home or to the property line, including attached structures, where specific maintenance steps are recommended to reduce flammability.

Key Points

  • The first Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) is 0-5 feet around the home or to the property line.
  • The definition of the HIZ includes the structure, deck/patio/balcony, or any outside entertaining space connected to the structure.
  • Preparedness recommendations for the HIZ include:
    • Removal of weeds, brush, invasive vegetation, and debris.
    • Use of noncombustible rock mulch instead of standard mulch.
    • Trimming grass and flowers to 4 inches or less in height.
    • Trimming back touching or overhanging tree branches to at least 10 feet from the home.
    • Storage of firewood and other combustible material farther away from the home.

Financials

None specified.

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None present.

Timeline

None specified.

Next Steps

None specified.

Sources

None specified.

Parks & Recreation: Gibbs Lake County Park and JUMP! Funding

Topic Summary

The county highlighted its Parks & Recreation priority by providing details on the Gibbs Lake County Park trails and summarizing the funding structure for the JUMP! project. The Gibbs Lake park features 15.5 miles of trails, with 4.5 miles designated for bicycles only, and restricts the use of motorized vehicles. The JUMP! project has secured $1,310,340 in total funding from a mix of private donations, capital funds, and a major state grant.

Key Points

  • Gibbs Lake County Park has a total trail length of 15.5 miles.
  • 4.5 miles of the trails are designated for Bicycles Only.
  • Activities allowed include Hiking, Bicycling, and Horseback Riding; No motorized vehicles are allowed.
  • The JUMP! project has raised a total of $1,310,340.

Financials

  • Total JUMP! Funding: $1,310,340 (100%)
  • Funding sources breakdown:
    • RCO Grant: $500,000 (38.16%)
    • Jefferson County Capital Funding: $475,492 (36.29%)
    • JUMP! Private Committee Cash Raised: $222,733 (17%)
    • Michael Berry Memorial Foundation: $50,000 (3.82%)
    • Donation of Labor and Materials: $47,115 (3.60%)
    • Jefferson Healthcare: $15,000 (1.14%)

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None present.

Timeline

None specified.

Next Steps

For more information on Gibbs Lake Park, contact the Jefferson County Parks Department at 360-289-2115.

Sources

  • Jefferson County Parks Department
  • Michael Berry Memorial Foundation
  • Jefferson Healthcare

COVID-19 Recovery Federal Funding Allocation

Topic Summary

Jefferson County has received $12 million in total federal recovery funding through the CARES Act and ARPA to support various county and community projects. The vast majority of the funding, $9.64 million, was received via the ARPA program (2021-2023), distributed to critical infrastructure, housing, economic development, and community support projects across numerous organizations.

Key Points

  • Total Federal Recovery Funding received is $12 million.
  • CARES ACT (2020/2021) provided $2.4 million across 37 separate grants.
  • ARPA (2021/2022/2023) provided $9.64 million.
  • Significant ARPA allocations include:
    • Jefferson County Public Works: $3,445,000 for Hadlock Sewer
    • OlyCAP: $1,500,000 for Caswell-Brown Outdoor Shelter
    • Jefferson County PUD No. 1: $900,000 for Broadband
    • City of Port Townsend: $500,000 for Evans Vista
    • EDC Team Jefferson: $500,000 for Business Assistance Grants
    • Habitat for Humanity: $500,000 for Hadlock Affordable Housing
    • Fort Worden PDA: $378,000 for Debt Reserve/Capital Projects
    • Olympic Peninsula YMCA: $290,000 for Childcare Facility
    • Port of Port Townsend: $150,000 for Hydraulic Boat Lift
  • Additional community recipients received $834,000 in recovery funding, including $100,000 each for Jefferson County Public Works and the YMCA, $80,000 each for Habitat for Humanity (separate allocation), the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, and Olympic Housing Trust.

Financials

  • Total Federal Recovery Funding: $12,000,000
    • CARES ACT: $2,400,000
    • ARPA: $9,640,000

  • Specific ARPA Allocations listed:

    • Jefferson County Public Works (Hadlock Sewer): $3,445,000
    • OlyCAP: $1,500,000
    • Jefferson County PUD No. 1: $900,000
    • City of Port Townsend (Evans Vista): $500,000
    • EDC Team Jefferson: $500,000
    • Habitat for Humanity (Hadlock Affordable Housing): $500,000

  • Separate $834,000 allocation includes:

    • YMCA: $100,000
    • Jefferson County Public Works: $100,000
    • Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding: $80,000
    • Olympic Housing Trust: $80,000
    • Habitat for Humanity: $80,000

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None present.

Timeline

  • 2020/2021: CARES Act fund distribution period.
  • 2021/2022/2023: ARPA fund distribution period.

Next Steps

None specified.

Sources

  • Jefferson County Public Works
  • OlyCAP
  • Jefferson County PUD No. 1
  • City of Port Townsend
  • EDC Team Jefferson
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Fort Worden PDA
  • Olympic Peninsula YMCA
  • Port of Port Townsend
  • Mason County PUD
  • KPTZ Radio
  • Humane Society
  • Jefferson County Rural Library District
  • Jefferson Healthcare
  • Quilcene Community Center
  • Olympic Neighbors
  • Peninsula Trails

County Challenges and Priorities

Topic Summary

The county identified several critical challenges and corresponding strategic priorities guiding its current administration. Major challenges include economic uncertainty, staffing issues exacerbated by housing costs, and managing persistent crises like climate change and homelessness. The strategic plan focuses on stewarding assets, promoting economic development, and improving planning processes.

Key Points

  • Major challenges facing the county are:
    • New Technology
    • Inflation and Looming recession
    • Cost of Housing/Housing Shortage and Homelessness
    • Climate Change
    • Recruitment and Retaining Staff
    • COVID transition from Pandemic to Endemic
  • Key Priorities & Progress areas are:
    • Strategic Plan/Survey execution
    • Stewarding Public Assets
    • Economic Development
    • Housing, Homelessness
    • Planning & Permitting
    • Forests & Wildfire Prevention
    • Parks & Recreation
    • COVID Recovery

Financials

None specified.

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None present.

Timeline

None specified.

Next Steps

None specified.

Sources

None specified.

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