2019-10-03-minutes-2020-preliminary-budget-discussion

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10/03/2019 MINUTES 1 COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONER’S CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY 2:30 P.M. OCTOBER 3, 2019 Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright; Vice-Chairman Brett Wachsmith and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz. Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board and Judy Pless, Budget & Finance Manager. SPECIAL MEETING 2020 PRELIMINARY BUDGET COMMISSIONERS At 2:30 p.m. Chairman Wright opened a Special Meeting to discuss the 2020 budget. Judy Pless, Budget & Finance Manager reviewed information on a statute that requires the Commissioners to hold a Public Hearing and “discuss” levy rates. The Public Hearing is currently scheduled for Monday October 7, 2019. She said they could choose to continue the Public Hearing until a later date in November, so the Assessor has more accurate figures for their consideration. Ms. Pless said she had not seen the recent wage survey that’s being conducted and asked for input on what wage increase she should use as a placeholder for Non-Union & Exempt employees. The Board instructed Ms. Pless to start with 3% and then they can see what happens from there once the wage survey has been published. They also said to leave the contribution to medical benefits the same as last year as well. Next year they would like to have the Benefits Committee get together again and review information. It was noted open enrollment must be completed no later than November 15th. Ms. Pless provided information on the benefits of OpenGov and the different ways to view the information. The Board agreed to have one meeting with Elected Officials and Department Heads to review the context of expenditures; followed by them individually reviewing the preliminary budgets and making notes; and then another meeting with everyone involved.