Minutes 05-27-2021 Virtual Business meeting

Browse Search

40 everyone a little behind the eight ball in regards to projections because there are many uncertainties. She said there are over $40 million in requests for ARPA funds, with only $28 million available to the County. She said this demonstrates the needs of the County. She said she never intends to bring forward a recommendation that is only looking at a year-to-year basis. She said she wants to assure Commissioners that staff budgets with a multiyear perspective, and it is important for the residents of Orange County to know that. Gary Donaldson added that the County just went through analysis by all three rating agencies, which affirmed the County's AAA rating. He said one of the things the agencies pointed to is the County's long term forecasting, both on the operations and debt models. He said he will share the write ups that the agencies did. Commissioner Hamilton said she is not questioning County staff, but wants to have the information so she is not making amendments that are not helpful. Travis Myren said it has been a while since there was a good comprehensive presentation on this, and he would work with Gary Donaldson to prepare one. Commissioner Bedford said this budget has an element of uncertainty that is not usually there. She said she would like to have regular updates on how the budget is going with revenues and expenses. Bonnie Hammersley said that is a common report provided on a quarterly basis, which will continue. Commissioner Bedford asked if all of the outside agencies have contracts with County departments. Bonnie Hammersley said all outside agencies have contracts, with performance measures that have to be reported on a quarterly basis, in order to receive funding. She said there was a reduction in expenditures towards outside agencies because of the pandemic, and because some agencies were not doing the work and could not report. She said a change this year is that Department Directors, who work with the agencies, will administer the contracts; whereas, in the past, that was done by the Finance Department. She said the total number of outside agencies went from 62 to 55 because of the expertise of the Department Directors, who are able to advise whether or not the function of the outside agency is needed. She said outside agencies are an extremely important part of the operations of the County, and supplement the services the County offers. She said there has been a shift back to funding what the County wants the agencies to do on behalf of the county. She said this whole process has evolved over time, and safety net services are the priority at this time, due to the pandemic. Commissioner Bedford said the process provides a lot of financial accountability. Commissioner Bedford asked if the membership dues are part of Clerk's office budget. Bonnie Hammersley said yes. Commissioner Bedford said she is satisfied with the process. She asked if there is an idea of when the County may be able to restore a 2% salary raise. Bonnie Hammersley said she has to manage expectations, and cannot announce this information publicly until a recommended budget comes to the Commissioners. She said the budget can change up until the very last moment. She said there was a perfect storm for this year's budget, because last year the decision was made to put in $7 million in one-time funds, rather than raise the tax rate a little over a penny and a half. She said when one-time funds are used, those funds will be needed again the next year. She said her plan to repay the 2016 bond was a phased tax increase over time, and there was not a big increase all at once. She said a bigger increase will have to happen this year because a smaller one was put off last year. Commissioner Fowler asked if there is a reason why some outside agencies that applied in the past, but not this year, are still listed with $0 recommended.