Recession wrecks county revenues
From our weekly issue dated April 29, 2009
Because of the lingering economic recession, some Josephine County agencies that typically give money to the general fund may need some of those dollars to maintain basic operations.
During the Budget Committee’s meeting Thursday, April 23, Chief Financial Officer Rosemary DeLashmutt stated that the clerk and recorder’s office will need to draw from the county’s general fund instead of contributing to it.
DeLashmutt said that recordings and passport requirements for that office have dropped and that its revenues are down “substantially.”
County Forester Vic Harris said that he plans to return approximately $13,000 to the general fund during the 2009-10 fiscal year. Forestry generates more revenue in most years, but due to a lack of demand, Harris said he does not plan to offer any timber sales in the immediate future.
Overall, Harris said that forestry requires a budget of around $874,000, and plans to generate some $884,000.
Planner Michael Snider said that his department is down to six full-time employees and is only open to the public for 20 hours per week. In contrast, he said, it had 10.5 full-time equivalent employees during the 2007-08 fiscal year.
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During the 2007-08 fiscal year, Snider said, planning handled approximately 184 pre-applications, 593 applications and 841 development permits, for a total of 1,618. But in 2008-09, there were 120 pre-applications, 509 applications and 573 development permits, for a total of 1,202, he said. Figures represent a 26 percent drop.
Overall, Snider said that the planning department anticipates receiving approximately $408,000 in revenues, some $88,000 shy of the $496,000 required to maintain its operations.
In order to make up the difference, planning will need around $37,200 from the general fund and $50,000 in economic development funds.
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