Yakima County financial director urges multiyear plan, proposes using reserves to avoid across‑the‑board cuts

Yakima County Financial Services Director Brian Carlson told the Board of Yakima County Commissioners on Aug. 19 that the county should shift from one‑year budgeting to a rolling multiyear financial plan and consider using reserves and certain dedicated funds to shore up the general fund and avoid abrupt across‑the‑board cuts. Carlson said the county’s current fund balance situation gives room to repurpose some reserves, but any changes will be debated in fall budget meetings and are subject to commission approval.

Carlson said his forecast for 2025 shows roughly $15,000,000 in general fund reserves and that the county’s current fund balance is “right about at the GFOA recommended minimum” of about two months of expenses. He told commissioners, “If we are trying to mitigate costs or reduce costs and the method quietly adds to costs, then we're kind of like bailing with a soup strainer.”

Why it matters: The approach Carlson outlined would change how Yakima County prioritizes spending, potentially shifting some ongoing costs from the general fund into other funding sources (including the so‑called three‑tenths fund and internal service fund balances) and consolidating departmental contingency cushions. Commissioners said the discussion matters because the board sets appropriations and the public expects…