Lake County treasurer urges spending freeze as commissioners approve year-end budget housekeeping

Lake County Treasurer Melanie Lasley told the Board of Commissioners on April 9 that department heads had curtailed spending but that the county remained "$217,000.00 from a balanced budget," and she urged a formal spending freeze to help close the gap.

Lasley presented two year-end housekeeping measures: Budget Resolution 2024-09, an adjustment for mailing and attorney fees in the Assessor's Office, and Budget Resolution 2024-08, a Clerk salary adjustment with no fiscal impact. Commissioner James Williams moved to approve 2024-09 and Vice-Chair Barry Shullanberger seconded; both resolutions were approved unanimously.

Lasley also suggested absorbing $236,000 in county loan-program funds into the general fund, noting the program funds were originally general-fund dollars and that one unpaid contract could push the county more than $500,000 short if not resolved. "If they [the outstanding contract payor] did not, the County would be over $500,000.00 short," Lasley said during the discussion.

The board discussed what the proposed spending freeze should cover. Business Director Nicki Alves asked whether travel would be restricted; Williams and Shullanberger said commissioners would spell out categories of restricted spending and disseminate guidance to department heads.

Commissioners also approved a contract with Bair Law, LLC to help clear a foreclosure backlog. Assessor Linda Hopper presented the agreement; Williams said the Assessor's office has funds in its budget to cover the attorney and that a fee cap was included to keep the work within budget. Vice-Chair Shullanberger described the contract as "a way to create revenue for the County" because it helps the county recoup unpaid taxes.

On a related funding item, the board accepted a $763.12, six-month Aid & Assist payment through an Oregon Health Authority intergovernmental agreement presented by Heidi Martinez of Outback Strong. Commissioner Williams called the amount "insulting" but moved to accept the funds; Vice-Chair Shullanberger seconded. The motion passed 2-1 (Williams and Shullanberger Aye; Chair Mark Albertson Nay).

Next steps: commissioners asked staff to draft clear spending-freeze guidance for department heads and to return with updated budget figures in roughly one month. Clerk Amy Hutchinson's request to convert a temporary recording specialist to a permanent part-time position at an estimated $29,159.00 annually was discussed and tabled until the budget outlook is clearer.