JASCOM briefed on new L&I retro rating; budget amendment tabled until June

Joint Animal Services staff told the commission on April 21 that the agency's Labor & Industries (L&I) retro rating increased after the budget was set, producing an unanticipated cost to the member jurisdictions.

Executive Director Sarah Hock said the agency's L&I experience rating moved above the estimate used when the budget was prepared. "Our L and I rating has increased ... this amendment to the budget would cover the cost that we did not account for," Hock said. She proposed a one-time use of reserves to cover the commission's portion of the increased cost, which staff described as roughly $12,900.24 for JASCOM's share; staff noted the total adjustment being handled citywide was larger and that the City of Lacey would present the broader matter to its council.

Because only two of the four member jurisdictions were present, commissioners agreed they could not take a binding vote on the amendment. The commission treated the briefing as an informational discussion and tabled formal action until the next meeting when a quorum of jurisdictions can vote (the date was corrected in discussion to June 9). Staff said the 2026 budget should reflect the adjusted rates and that the one-time reserve use would prevent the need for another immediate amendment.

Why it matters: The L&I rate change increases near-term personnel-related costs for all City of Lacey departments and JASCOM. Staff recommended using reserves to pay the one-time amount and incorporating the higher rate into the next annual budget rather than doing further adjustments now.

Next steps: Staff will return on June 9 with a proposed budget amendment and detailed figures for each member jurisdiction so commissioners can vote when a quorum of jurisdictions is present.