SALT LAKE CITY — No county employee layoffs or drastic budget cuts are expected as the Salt Lake County Council discusses midyear budget adjustments for 2010.
County officials are not necessarily happy with this year's budget of continuing recession-era challenges. However, they say they are at least pleased with their proactive work and forward thinking over the past couple years that has allowed the county to continue balancing its budget while protecting its services.
"We were ahead of the game," said Darrin Casper, the county's chief financial officer.
The county launched its first action, a hiring freeze, in November 2008 when officials saw the economy beginning to sink. The county has held the line so far without implementing layoffs, Casper said.
In further optimistic outlooks, countywide sales tax revenue is better than projected. County auditors estimated revenue would be down 3 percent to 5 percent, but it has ended up being flat. The revenue was $41.3 million in 2009, while the 2010 projections are at $41.4 million.
Solutions proposed by Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and adopted by the County Council to balance budgets total $79 million over two years, in addition to the cutbacks on capital spending.
The budget in 2008 was $827 million, falling to $770 million in 2009 and $705 million by June 2010.
The county is almost 350 employee positions lighter than it was 18 months ago. This has come through early-retirement options and employee restructuring. Thirty full-time positions have been reduced so far, leaving 4,000 county employees.
The early-retirement plan alone has saved the county $3.9 million for 2010 and is expected to save $4.1 million in 2011 with a total 107 employees participating.
"We can provide the services with the people we have," said Doug Willmore, chief administrative officer.
Budget requests at the mid-year point are slim. There are five requests versus the dozens the county council has seen in past years.
A $10,000 request has been filed for the Snake Valley Aquifer Study. The study pertains to Nevada's plan to take water from an aquifer in Snake Valley that straddles the border of Utah and Nevada. Many counties in Utah are protesting Nevada's plan.
A revenue adjustment totaling $44,618 is requested for the Larry H. Miller signs at the newly named Big Cottonwood Softball Complex. This will be funded through bond money by the ZAP (zoos, arts and parks) tax.
The County Council will vote on its 2010 budget adjustments June 15.
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