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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday,
November 14, 2003
Contact:
Don Krupp, Chief Administrative Officer, 360-786-5440
PUBLIC
INVITED TO COMMENT ON THURSTON COUNTY BUDGET
OLYMPIA -- Thurston County Commissioners Monday will receive the
preliminary 2004 budget. The
overall preliminary budget is set at $317,989,286, up less than 1 percent from
2003. The budget for next
year provides for a continuation of current service levels.
Chief Administrative officer Don Krupp says a combination of cost
cutting over the past year coupled with a better than expected ending fund
balance for 2003 has allowed the “status quo” budget for 2004.
“Elected officials and department directors at the county have worked
very hard to find efficiencies wherever possible and that has given us a bit
of breathing room for next year. However,
the challenge of diminishing revenue growth and increasing demand for services
will likely mean more belt tightening in 2005 and beyond.”
The preliminary 2004 budget also calls for a decrease in county
personnel of 14 positions. That
cutback comes after the elimination of about 21 full time positions in 2003.
Krupp says such workforce reductions are very difficult.
“It’s very important for county residents to let us know their
priorities for services from their county government.
That way we will have a better idea where any future service and
personnel reductions should take place.”
The 2004 preliminary budget will be unveiled at the Thurston County
Commission meeting at about 10:00 AM, Monday the 17th at the
Thurston County Courthouse in Olympia. Commissioners will deliberate the draft
budget from December 2nd through the 5th.
Adoption of the budget is set for December 15th.
A public hearing on the budget will be held at 6:30 the evening of
December 1, 2003 in room 280 of Building One at the Thurston County
Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW in Olympia.
More information on the 2004 budget can be found on the county’s web
site at www.co.thurston.wa.us/budget.
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