Lane County News: Lane County Budget Approval Process Nears

Contacts: Lane County Board Chair Faye Stewart or County Administrator Jeff Spartz; 682-4203

Lane County will begin its budget approval process next week, focusing on a budget that anticipates the loss of Secure Rural Schools or "payments to counties" funding.

County Administrator Jeff Spartz will deliver the Fiscal Year 2008-09 Proposed Budget Message at the kick-off meeting (Tuesday, April 29), covering budget issues that include the probable loss of "payments to counties" funding and the resulting impacts to County programs, services and employees.

The County’s current proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2008-09 is projected at $455,862,047 – a 15.65 percent reduction in proposed spending from the previous fiscal year. The proposed budget also includes a reduction of approximately 188 full-time equivalent positions – a loss of 12.52 percent of the County’s work force. The proposed Lane County Fiscal Year 2008-09 Budget Document is available at http://www.lanecounty.org/CAO_Budget/Budget/FY0809ProposedBudget.htm

"We know this is going to be a difficult budget adoption process but we must examine our organization and make changes that will allow us some stability in the next several years," said County Administrator Jeff Spartz.

Following a directive from the Board of Commissioners, layoffs and reductions will begin May 29.

6:15-9 p.m., Tuesday, April 29: Budget Message and public hearing. The evening includes an overview of the budget and the County’s property tax revenue. The public hearing is from 7:30-9 p.m.

5:15-9 p.m., Thursday, May 1: Focus on roads, parks, waste and land management. Public comment is from 7-8 p.m.

5:15-9 p.m., Tuesday, May 6: Prevention and Social Services. System focus includes Children & Families, Human Services Commission and Veterans Services, Animal Services, Developmental Disabilities, and Extension Services. Public comment is from 8-9 p.m.

5:15-9 p.m., Thursday, May 8: Health and Emergency Management. System focus includes Public Health, Mental Health, and Emergency Management services. Public comment is from 8-9 p.m.

5:15-9 p.m., Tuesday, May 13: Public Safety. System focus includes Prosecution, Police Services, Corrections, Youth Services, Supervision, and Treatment for offenders. Public comment is from 8-9 p.m.

5:15-9 p.m., Thursday, May 15: Budget Committee deliberations.

A tentative meeting has been scheduled for May 22 should Budget Committee deliberations continue.

Budget Committee meetings will have live television coverage (Metro TV Channel 21) and will be Web cast at www.lanecounty.org

Budget Committee meetings will be held in Harris Hall, Public Service Building, 125 E. Eighth Ave., Eugene.

Amber Fossen
Public Information Officer
Lane County Government
125 E. Eighth Ave.
Eugene, Oregon 97401
(541) 682.3718
(541) 359.9143 (cell)

^{Lane County Government provides for the safety and security of Lane County’s 343,000 citizens through public safety, public works, human services, elections, vital records and other systems}

Lane County, Oregon	eGovernment

News Release



News \| 2008