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Laura Blackmon reviewed the information for this item. There have been some declines <br /> in the constructed-related revenues. <br /> The following are staff directives related to the budget: <br /> • Continuing the County's 3-month hiring delay <br /> • Reserving 2% of budgeted operating expenditures <br /> • Postponing vehicle and equipment purchases <br /> • Delaying other capital expenditures <br /> • No out-of-state travel <br /> • Postponing other travel as possible <br /> • Reducing fuel consumption by at least 10% <br /> 2. FY 2009-10 Budget Activity to Date <br /> Laura Blackmon said that the plan for next year is very little or no growth in the revenue <br /> base because of the revenue neutral stance the County is taking. <br /> Donna Coffey said that last year the County balanced the budget by appropriating $2 <br /> million from fund balance and by postponing some County capital projects. The total of that was <br /> about$3.3 million, so the starting point this year will be $3.3 million less in revenue than last <br /> year. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that the departments are working on budgets and they will be <br /> reviewing these submittals in the next few weeks. <br /> County Manager FY 2009-10 Budget Preparation Directions to Departments: <br /> - The County Manager has directed departments to submit FY 2009-10 budget <br /> requests reflecting a budget reduction of 10%. The dollar amount of the decrease is <br /> equivalent to 10% of the sum of the department's overtime, non-permanent (i.e. <br /> temporary) and operations line items. <br /> - In order to meet the 10% reduction target, the Manager expects department directors <br /> to look holistically at their department and propose reductions in, and in some <br /> instances elimination of, non-mandated services and activities. <br /> - As the first option, the Manager has directed departments to absorb costs associated <br /> with opening new facilities within their budget proposal for FY 2009-10. This will <br /> likely mean substantial changes in current service delivery. <br /> - For each service reduction and elimination, department directors must submit a <br /> Service Reduction Impact Statement. The Manager plans to share these statements <br /> with Commissioners during budget work sessions in March 2009. <br /> - The Manager has also directed departments not to submit requests for capital items <br /> in FY 2009-10. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz verified with Laura Blackmon that department heads are looking <br /> to cut programs permanently. Laura Blackmon said that she told staff to look out five years. <br /> Commissioner Nelson asked at what point in the process the County Commissioners get <br /> to ask questions about these mandated services. Donna Coffey said that there is a work <br />