The 2010 Snohomish County general fund budget, as submitted September 18 by County Executive Aaron Reardon, targets a $201 million figure with no service cuts or employee layoffs.

Like last year, the County Council announced it will consider Reardon's financial suggestions as it builds its own from-scratch budget.

"We appreciate the Executive's suggestions, and his proposal will be given consideration as we focus on our priorities and listen carefully to what the public tells us," said council chair Mike Cooper.

Snohomish County, like all governments nationwide, continues to suffer from decreased revenues. Sales tax collections remain flat and are expected to be 14 percent below 2007 levels; property tax collections are also forecast to be lower in 2010.

Reardon developed his budget priorities based on three principles: maintaining current service levels, preventing further general fund layoffs, and matching current year expenditures with continued conservative revenue projections.

In an address to city staffers and department heads, Reardon said, "Our taxpayers deserve predictability and reliability regarding the government services they fund."

The executive also called on county departments to achieve managed savings goals with continued furloughs and personnel cost savings. At the request of countywide elected officials, Reardon plans to negotiate with every employee bargaining unit regarding personnel costs in 2010.

The council will hold a series of public hearings seeking citizen input on the budget, including a meeting Thursday, October 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Stillaguamish Senior Center, 18308 Smokey Point Blvd.

The general fund budget is part of a larger $608 million county budget that contains fee and revenue-driven funds and services supported by those revenues.

To review the 2010 Executive Proposed Budget summary, go to www.snoco.org and search "2010 budget."

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