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Commissioners give guidance to provide $250,000 step‑down for BECCA‑funded program; board asks for a phase‑down plan
Summary
After discussion of expiring state BECCA funding, Spokane County commissioners directed staff to provide a $250,000 step‑down allocation to support the transition and asked the program to return with a detailed wind‑down plan, including estimated buyouts and staffing impacts.
Spokane County commissioners discussed the impending loss of some BECCA‑related funding during the June 3 briefing and provided staff guidance to make a limited step‑down allocation to ease transition, while directing county and program leaders to produce a concrete wind‑down plan.
Presenters reminded the board that BECCA funding would expire July 1 and that federal and state timelines require 30 days’ notice for layoffs; any staff continuing to work past July 1 would need to be paid from county budgets or reserves. Commissioners discussed a previously requested figure of about $382,000 to fund operations through the remainder of the year; several commissioners said that sum might be more than the board wanted to commit without additional detail. During the briefing several commissioners proposed an interim step‑down figure of $250,000 to provide transition funding while the program prepares a plan.
Commissioners and the county budget office discussed practical obligations that follow layoffs — including contractually required payout of accrued vacation and other leave — and asked that program leaders provide a “fully loaded” cost estimate for three scenarios: continuing at current service levels with only state funding, a $425,000 option previously discussed, and a step‑down funded option. County budget staff noted that previously supplied wage figures may be out of date because of pending labor contract actions; updated payout estimates are needed to forecast actual buyout costs.
Commissioners asked program leaders to prepare: 1) a plan describing staffing priorities in the event the county funds only a step‑down amount, 2) a timeline for issuing layoff notices if the board elects not to continue funding beyond the state allocation, and 3) firm estimates of vacation/sick‑leave payouts and other termination costs. One commissioner suggested the board’s decision should be clear and immediate so staff can issue needed layoff notices under the 30‑day notice requirement if no further county funding is approved.
County staff recorded commissioners’ guidance that $250,000 would be made available to help phase down the program; staff said any release of those funds would require a future budget action moving money from unrestricted fund balance into the program and that program leaders must return with detailed operating scenarios. County staff also said they would bring the program back to a future meeting with requested figures and a recommended plan for a phased closure if necessary.
Ending — The board provided direction to staff and program leadership to plan for a step‑down using $250,000 as the working figure, requested detailed, updated cost estimates (including buyouts) and a phase‑down timeline, and warned that layoffs and payouts must follow contractual and statutory notice requirements.
