Pierce County Rules Committee - Sept. 22

We decided to drop in on the Pierce County Rules Committee yesterday, to see what it was all about. A few things caught our eye and we thought we’d share.

Ordinance # 2008-72 ratifying the collective bargaining agreement reached with the Pierce County Deputy Sheriff’s Independent Guild, Local No. 1889; and amending the Pierce County Salary Classification Plan.

This ordinance includes a cost-of-living wage adjustment effective January 1, 2009. It was sent onto council with a recommendation to adopt.

Ordinance # 2008-74 approving and ratifying an agreement in which Pierce County and the Peninsula Metropolitan Park District agree to jointly acquire the Tacoma Narrows Airport and the Madrona Links Gold Course from the City of Tacoma.

Pierce County’s share of the purchase price is $3 million and PenMet Parks is set to pay $2 million for a total purchase price of $5 million. If PenMet Parks defaults on its payments, the County will pay the full amount. With no set purchase date and still unanswered questions, Councilman Goings moved to roll this ordinance into a substitute.

Ordinance # 2008-75 modifying the County 2008 Budget.

Funds were increased for the Pierce County Ferry Services Fund, Fleet Rental Fund, Workers’ Compensation, and Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Total of all funds: $865,410,456. Due pass recommendation to full council.

As a side note, we’ve seen the proposed 2009 budget and it lands at $851,674,000 – 3.4% less than 2008. The cuts primarily show a decrease in capital improvements. Effected programs include conservation futures, parks improvements, general building projects, and sewer utility construction. At the same time, the public safety budget increases by $12 million over last year with increases in the county corrections and sheriff budgets.

This is all still draft but it should be interesting to watch the budget take shape and see how it impacts Tacoma.