PORT ANGELES — Clallam County’s proposed budget has seen a dramatic reduction in its deficit next year.
County Administrator Todd Mielke presented the preliminary spending document to county commissioners this week.
The county’s budget gap has decreased sharply from $4.1 million in September to $418,000, thanks to a combination of $1.069 million in new revenue and $2.699 million in expenditure reductions, resulting in a $3.769 million improvement in the General Fund’s bottom line.
Mielke explained what happened between the roll out budget in September and this latest version.
“We asked every department to undertake an exercise where they would identify a 7% reduction in expenditures looking at any combination of: Could you identify new revenue, could expenditures that you’re currently making that come out of the general fund be met with another revenue source. We also looked at reducing expenditures,” said Mielke.
In all departments identified $3.486 million in cuts, covering 80% of the requested reductions, which were reviewed and incorporated into the Administrator Recommended Budget.
Mielke says this year’s approach with the department heads was different.
“I would say this is probably a new approach than what’s been taken in the past. This approach says, ‘let’s look at department, heads as to subject matter experts. Let’s ask them where they would suggest how do we prioritize the things going on in their departments. And if they have a total amount of money to spend, how would they deploy that real amount of money,” said Mielke.
In addition, payroll underspending is expected to be lower in 2025, with a projected $1.6 million savings due to fewer open positions. The budget also accounts for local economic factors, such as business closures and ongoing infrastructure projects, that are expected to impact sales tax revenue in the coming year.
County officials will be making public presentations on the budget in the coming weeks with approval coming later this fall.