CC Minutes - 04/09/08 Work Session

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indebtedness and keep the bond rating up. He stated that the County was also mandated by law to maintain elections funding and to pay for assessment and taxation. He underscored that nearly two-thirds of the services funded by the General Fund were mandated by law and the County would no longer be possible to meet those mandates and maintain the budget after July 1. Mr. Stewart highlighted the draft budget in the current iteration, planning for no renewal of the funds, as follows: ? In fiscal year (FY) 07-08 the County had $540 million budget. A budget of $455 million is pro- jected for FY 08-09. ? In 2007 the County employed 1,507 people. In 2008 the workforce will be reduced by 12.5 percent or 188 employees. The County provided a ratio of 6.4 employees per 1,000 residents in 1979-80; the budget for FY08-09 will provide a ratio of 3.8 employees per 1,000 residents. Regarding the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), he reported the following budget reductions: ? The budget will be reduced by $26 million from $85 million, a “huge reduction in human services.” Approximately 40 employees will be laid off. ? The Commission on Children and Families will be reduced by $81,000 and 1.5 Full Time Equiva- lent (FTE) employees. He noted that the position specifically considered for reduction was the one dedicated to searching out and applying for grants. In 2007 this position brought $200,000 to the department. Regarding the budget for public safety he highlighted the following reductions: ? The LCSO budget will be reduced by $15 million, or 23 percent of its budget. This budget would potentially cause a reduction of 126 employees. ? Jail beds in the Lane County Jail would be reduced from 151 beds to 12. ? Sheriff’s patrol capability would be reduced from 24 hours to 20 hours per day. ? The DA’s Office will be reduced by $620,000, or nearly 7 percent. Staff would be reduced by seven and fewer cases will be prosecuted. ? The DYS will lose $1 million, almost 11 percent of its budget, eliminating 16 youth beds for in- house treatment for alcohol and drug abuse, as well as outpatient treatment programs. ? The Buckley House will no longer be funded and the service it provides for alcoholics will be lost. ? Veteran’s services funded by the County will be reduced. ? Funds for low-income housing will be reduced. He stressed that these cuts will have direct impacts on all of the citizens of the County and the citizens the council served in the City of Eugene. Mr. Stewart related that in the first attempt at prioritization of the list it had appeared that the program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) would have to be cut along with the communicable disease program and a health services program for high-risk pregnant women and infants. He explained that this would mean the County would have given up serving as the public health authority. He reported that the County Adminis- trator had been able, in working with the budget, to find enough money to add those programs back. He noted that one consequence of relinquishing this authority was that the State would assume those responsi- bilities and then would bill the County for them. He averred that the County would then be in another losing situation. Mr. Stewart stated that the Board would be engaging in a “pretty aggressive budget process” that would begin on April 29 and would continue in budget meetings to be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of May. He added that once the budget was prepared and ready to send to the Commissioners for MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 9, 2008 Page 6 Work Session