2019 Budget Season for Marion County
On June 3 & 4, Marion’s County Budget Committee was in session to approve the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget. We heard from the budget team and departments on county needs now and into the future. This year also marked Chief Administrative Officer, and Budget Officer, John Lattimer’s final budget officer message. After 51 years in public service, John is set to retire June 30. What is clear, John has left his mark on Marion County and leaves us in a financially stable position and ready to meet the future needs of Marion County’s residents.
The budget committee approved budget is $455,271,158 with a total of 1,506.52 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. General Fund resources, our most flexible source of revenue, are $103 million and all other funds totaling $352,224,614. The budget includes sufficient contingency funds and a Rainy Day Fund for unforeseen costs.
While Marion County maintains adequate funding to continue current programs and services, the budget team and budget committee were faced with some difficult choices this budget cycle. County departments submitted more than 59 decision packages with 37 FTE this year. Had all been approved, future funding was in question. In his budget officer’s message, John said, “Due to our estimate of future resources and our efforts to maintain a structurally balanced budget, I have had to deny several worthy decision packages.”
With the Budget Committee approval, the budget now moves forward to the Board of Commissioners for final adoption. A public hearing to adopt the budget is scheduled for June 19 at our regular board session. You can view the FY 2019-2020 recommended budget and read the full Budget Officer’s Message on the Finance Department website at www.co.marion.or.us/FIN/budget.
I am pleased with how the county has managed its finances under John Lattimer’s leadership. As a county, we deliver not only quality services, but also innovative forward-thinking programs that maximize results within available resources. None of which would be possible without the dedicated service of county employees. They are the boots on the ground that turns this policy document into programs and services to benefit our community. Our community benefits daily from the excellent service provided.
