RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)
3. ACKNOWLEDGE that the employees of Contra Costa County have been negatively affected as a result of the requirement to balance the County’s expenses with available revenues;
4. ACKNOWLEDGE that, although some relief is available, that this situation is expected to continue for County employees, as we work to manage and cope with the outcomes of this lengthy economic downturn;
5. DIRECT the County Administrator to continue to meet with the County’s union representatives and employees to explain the size, scope and anticipated length of the County’s fiscal challenges and to gain their input/suggestions;
6. ACKNOWLEDGE that the State of California and residents throughout the State continue to struggle to manage the negative outcomes of the recent economy;
7. ACKNOWLEDGE that the Recommended Budget does not include any funding changes that may occur in the State of California’s 2014-15 fiscal year budget and that, although the outcome is unknown at this point in time, that over $20 million is at risk in the State’s Budget for the hospital alone;
8. RE-AFFIRM the Board of Supervisors’ policy prohibiting the use of County General Purpose Revenue to back-fill State revenue cuts;
9. ACKNOWLEDGE that, due to significant market losses in the Contra Costa County Employees Retirement Association assets in 2008 and changes to economic and demographic assumptions since that time, retirement expenses are expected to increase in the next few years;
10. ACKNOWLEDGE that the Recommended Budget balances annual estimated expenditures with estimated revenues in FY 2014-15, and is both technically and structurally balanced;
11. ACKNOWLEDGE that the Recommended Budget includes a specific appropriation for contingency, and that the Board also maintains its ability to manage General Fund contingencies during the fiscal year by use of reserve funds set aside for that purpose;
12. ACKNOWLEDGE that any restoration of any recommended program reductions will require an equivalent reduction in funds from other County priorities in order to adhere to our balanced budget policy;
13. ACKNOWLEDGE that restoration of the County’s reserve funds and maintaining the County improved credit rating remain a priority of the Board of Supervisors over the long term;
14. DIRECT the County Administrator to prepare for Board adoption on May 13, 2014, the FY 2014-15 County and Special District Budgets, as modified, to incorporate any changes directed by the Board during these public hearings; and
15. DIRECT the County Administrator to prepare for consideration by the Board of Supervisors on May 13, 2014, position additions and eliminations necessary to carry out Board action on the Recommended Budget.
FISCAL IMPACT:
See attached FY 2014/15 Budget Message and Recommended Budget document.
BACKGROUND:
An explanation of the reasons behind the County Administrator’s recommendations presented in the FY 2014/15 Recommended Budget and other background information is presented in the attached – Budget Message to the Board of Supervisors.
MEET AND CONFER/LAY-OFF RESOLUTIONS
For the last several years at this point in the budget cycle, County Departments, in cooperation with Labor Relations, have begun the meet and confer process with employee representatives regarding the impact of program reductions on the terms and conditions of employment for affected employees. No County lay-offs are anticipated as a consequence of FY 2014/15 Recommended Budget impacts. Pending Final Budget adoption on May 13, Position Addition and Elimination lists may be presented to the Board for adoption on that day, with effective dates effective July 1, 2014.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Not applicable.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
None.
CLERK'S ADDENDUM
Speakers: Dan Jamieson, SEIU 1021; Melody How Weintraub, resident of Lafayette; Vince Wells, President FireFighters' Local 1230.
CONTINUED to May 6, 2014 AT 9:00 A.M.