2023 Budget

The memo below has links to budget reports available through the Lewis County OpenGov financial transparency portal. Users can view financial data based on the current proposed budget and prior year data. Please note that prior year data includes GAAP adjustments for financial reporting.

For questions related to the OpenGov reports or for help with the system please contact Becky Butler at 360.740.1198 or email becky.butler@lewiscountywa.gov

STANDARD BUDGET REPORTS

Final General Fund Revenue by Office and Department Number

Final General Fund Expenditures by Office and Department Number

Final Other Funds Revenue by Fund Number

Final Other Funds Expenditures by Fund Number

STANDARD BUDGET REPORTS

Preliminary General Fund Revenue by Office and Department Number

Preliminary General Fund Expenditures by Office and Department Number

Preliminary Other Funds Revenue by Fund Number

Preliminary Other Funds Expenditures by Fund Number

2023 PRELIMINARY BUDGET MEMO - SUBMITTED TO THE BOCC 10/4/2022

The total 2023 Preliminary Budget for ALL Funds (including operating transfers) is anticipated revenue of $160,511,526 and expenditures of $181,184,020, a decrease of less than 1% in overall expenditures from the 2022 adjusted budget of $182,026,516.

GENERAL FUND BUDGET OVERVIEW

The 2023 Preliminary Budget for the General Fund projects a beginning fund balance of approximately $12.4 million, revenues are budgeted at $44.4 million, and expenditures at $48.4 million (including operating transfers out). A use of$3.9million will be needed to balance the 2023 Preliminary Budget as submitted, leaving an estimated ending fund balance of $8.5 million at the end of 2023. However, unanticipated revenue, as well as savings for vacant positions in 2022 and 2023, will likely change the outcome.

The 2023 Preliminary Expenditure Budget for the General Fund as submitted is $48,416,067; this total includes operating transfers out to other Funds of $2.6 million. The 2023 Preliminary Budget is an approximate 3% increase in expenditures over the 2022 adjusted budget of $46,989,400. The approved COLA and the employer-paid health and welfare increases are included in the Preliminary Budget.

Preliminary 2023 General Fund revenues are projected at $44,486,233, a 2.94% increase as compared to the 2022 adjusted budget. Sales and use tax is projected to increase over current 2022 collections; this will be updated if the trend changes. Funding for the County through the American Rescue Plan Act will likely positively impact the General Fund as well as the distribution of the $1.5 Billion set aside in the Act for timber counties, in which the County received an allocation of $3 million in September of this year. This funding is direct, flexible aid to public lands counties and will be allocated by the U.S. Treasury for the years 2022 and 2023. These funds can be used for general governmental purposes.

REVENUE ASSUMPTIONS

For the General Fund, the anticipated revenue projection for 2023 is based on an assumption of an approximate 5% increase in sales and use tax from 2022 budget projections. Sales and use tax have continued in an upward trend over the last year. However, the increase has leveled off and we are now seeing moderate monthly increases over 2021. We will continue to evaluate economic conditions and incorporate new federal funding into the budget as grants from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 continue to become available. Court fines and fees are projected to be significantly lower next year. These decreases are a direct result of bills passed by the Washington State Legislature over the last few years. Revenue for property tax fines on delinquent taxes is also anticipated to decrease due to changes in Washington State Legislation under HB 1410.

The 2023 revenue estimate does not include anticipated new construction for property taxes, as this will be provided by the County Assessor for the final budget. As it relates to the 1% cap under state law, no local government may increase its property tax levy more than 1% in a given year, and the County is limited to the lesser of 1% or the rate of inflation (RCW 84.55.005 - .010). If inflation falls below 1%, the County may adopt a resolution of "substantial need," allowing an increase to the levy (or bank the excess capacity) up to the full 1%. As of September 25th, 2022, the IPD is 6.457%, up another 2.61% from this time last year. The BOCC will make decisions on the 2023 property taxes for the General and Road Funds at the Hearing on December 5th.

OTHER FUNDS

The 2023 preliminary expenditure budget for other various funds is $132,767,953; this is a decrease of approximately 1.68% over the 2022 adjusted budget of $135,037,116. The decrease is mainly due to the county capital projects, including the Juvenile Facility and County Campus remodel projects. COVID-19 emergency funding, direct and indirect through the American Rescue Plan Act and Broadband Grant funds, make up $21.2 million of the total budget.

For Other Funds, which include Special Revenue, Debt Service, Capital Acquisition and Capital Maintenance, Enterprise (Airports and Utilities), and Internal Service Funds, the 2023 Preliminary Budget anticipated revenue is $116,025,293, a 3.25% decrease over the 2022 adjusted budget of $119,918,822.

BUDGET INCREASE REQUESTS

Department Heads and Elected Officials have submitted budget increase requests totaling $2,084,162 above the submitted 2023 preliminary budget, $1.5 million of this total would impact the General Fund. Meetings in October with the BOCC and the Citizens Budget Committee will allow Elected Officials and Department Directors an opportunity to discuss their requests. Decisions on budget increases will be made in November after all budget meetings have concluded.

With many uncertainties in today's economy, we will continue to provide the BOCC with the most up-to-date information to make necessary adjustments to the budget to maintain the County's fiscal health.