A majority of the Clark County Council this week voted to approve the annual budget for 2023. The total expense budget for 2023 is $753.5 million.
The approved budget includes a 1% and banked capacity increase for the General Fund, Metropolitan Parks District (MPD) Parks Fund and Road Fund tax levies as recommended by County Manager Kathleen Otto. Based on the median household price of $525,000, the levy increase will cost taxpayers an additional $7.19 per year for the General Fund, $.90 per year for the MPD Parks Fund, and $26.55 per year for the Road Fund. These increases will generate an additional $1,311,776 revenue in the General Fund, $45,702 for the MPD Parks Fund and $2,463,824 in the Road Fund.
The approved budget focuses on urgent and immediate needs for the county. Additional needs will be considered in early 2023 including salary compensation considerations, capital projects and any outstanding jail transition-related items.
In her recommended budget summary Otto recognized that the county saw an unprecedented increase in sales tax revenue in 2022 and received one-time American Rescue Plan Act funding. While these revenues have had a positive impact on the county’s General Fund, the structural deficit continues to be a challenge. “The county needs to continue to be strategic with new ongoing expenditure appropriation to ensure long-term sustainability,” said Otto.
The budget presentation and videos of the Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 hearings are available on the county’s website at https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/clark-county-council-meetings.
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