Pierce County officials are mulling job cuts and fee hikes to balance the 2010 budget even as they consider additional measures to keep the county in the black this year.

Increases in building, planning and parks and recreation fees likely will be part of the 2010 budget to be unveiled by County Executive Pat McCarthy next month, budget director Pat Kenney told the County Council at a budget meeting this morning.

Kenney also spoke of job cuts – possibly in the form of layoffs or furloughs – and said the county will seek to raise the cost of health care for county employees.

Kenney’s message was short on details, which will come when McCarthy unveils her budget. But he made it clear that even with fee increases big spending cuts are coming to county government.

“We are going to be having more cuts that have a bigger impact in 2010,” Kenney told the council.

Pierce County already has been through two rounds of budget cuts this year. The executive and council have cut more than $12 million – or about 4 percent – from the county’s general fund, which includes basic services ranging from law enforcement to elections.

Results have varied by department. The planning department, for example, is closing its development center for nine days this year because of furloughs. And the parks department is cutting back on maintenance.

Despite those budget revisions, Kenney said the county is still expected to finish the year with $4.5 million less revenue than budgeted. That could be higher or lower, depending on what happens later this year with sales taxes, property tax receipts and other income.

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...but the commission will be happy to take up the issue at it's regular meeting August 27.

A lawyer for the backers of Referendum 71 have asked that the names of all future donors to the campaign be sealed. Not only that, the sponsors are asking that the names on reports already filed with the commission be sealed as well. (See item below).

Threats of violence against backers and sponsors has been cited as the reason for keeping the names secret.

Here's the letter the PDC staff sent to attorney Stephen Pidgeon.

Supporters of Referendum 71, which seeks to repeal the gay partnership laws passed this year by the state Legislature, have asked the state Public Disclosure Commission to block release of the names of donors to the campaign.

In a letter to the commission, R-71 attorney Stephen Pidgeon said threats against backers have been made and more will be exposed if the donor names are released.

"The reason for the emergency request is because of recent threats levied by opponents to the measure against the lives and property of principals involved in this Referendum at any level," Pidgeon wrote.

He included several e-mails and web posting that include threats of violence.

Backers have already received a temporary court order barring release of the names of those who signed the referendum.

There is slight precedence for blocking campaign finance information. In 1994, the commission released a group called Hands Off Washington from including the occupations and employers of those who donated to the campaign. The group was formed to oppose two initiatives that would have prevented the Legislature from passing laws giving civil rights protections based on sexual orientation.

Here is Pidgeon's letter:

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As I reported previously, the Pierce County Council’s rules committee took

testimony Monday from people who want to write statements for and against three proposed amendments to the county charter. Those statements will appear in the November voters pamphlet.

Among those who testified: County Executive Pat McCarthy, who recently asked to write the statement against Amendment No. 1, which would move elections for council and executive to odd years and extend term limits for those offices from two to three consecutive terms.

McCarthy restated her opposition to the amendment Monday, though her remarks were cut short by a two-minute limit on testimony. Here’s her prepared testimony for the rules committee:

Council Rules and Operations Committee
Ballot measures
Aug. 10, 2009
Prepared testimony, Pat McCarthy

I sent you a letter last month indicating that City of Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma, state Auditor Brian Sonntag and I want to serve on the committee against Proposition 1, the charter amendment that asks voters to extend term limits and move the Executive and Council elections to odd-year cycles.

I'm here today because of your announcement Friday that you would be holding this meeting.

Of course, I think my interest in this matter should be obvious. I did not ask for this charter amendment, and I do not support it.

But voters would likely assume that I do support this since it only applies to the Council and the Executive. I should be given the opportunity to explain my position in the voters' pamphlet.

I have a number of other concerns about Prop 1.

1. One key issue is the cost.

As you know, the state constitution requires that we hold elections for judges and the prosecuting attorney in even-numbered years. So if we move other county races to odd years, then we will be required to host elections every year. That will substantially increase the cost of elections in Pierce County.

And what if the Ranked Choice Voting amendment fails, and we continue to operate two systems? Again, this would dramatically increase our election costs.

Given how many conversations I've had with the Council about the budget this year, I'm sure you can understand my concern. At a time when we're doing everything we can to maintain county services, increasing election costs does not fit with the priorities, including the Council's own "guiding principles" for the 2010 budget.

2. A second concern of mine is the dual nature of the amendment.

I believe that the amendment contains two separate issues: extending term limits, and moving the elections to odd-numbered years.

There is no compelling reason to combine them, and I worry that it hurts our credibility with voters.

3. Finally, I'm concerned about the process.

There is no urgent need for this charter amendment. There is no emergency.

The County Charter provides for a process to review and update the charter. As we saw just a few years ago, that charter review process is thorough and open, and it is driven by citizens. Basically, it protects us from ourselves.

Extending term limits and shifting election years should be vetted by the Charter Review Commission, where it would enjoy a robust debate before a decision is made to put it on the ballot.

I appreciate that Bill Baarsma and Brian Sonntag share my beliefs in this matter. They are upstanding, civic-minded Pierce County residents. I hope you would agree that Pierce County voters would benefit from their opinion.

So, I respectfully request that you name the three of us to the committee that will write the opposition statement to Prop 1 in the voters' pamphlet.

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