Staff cuts in county, city budgets

By David Holley

The South County Spotlight, Jun 3, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

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Down revenues from less construction and a smaller state budget have forced local governments to tighten their own budgets. For the most part, local jurisdictions have been able to keep staffing reductions to a minimum, cutting other spending first.

But St. Helens, Scappoose and the county have all made some kind of staffing cuts, some more severe than others. For the most part, cities were able to delay capital construction projects first — or land federal money to get the projects done — without being forced to lose staff.

Here’s an overview of what staffing was cut or reduced, as well as a few other budget highlights.

City of Scappoose

Two unfilled positions in the Scappoose Police Department were cut, as was a part-time record clerk position.

That means the department will be able to maintain 24-hour coverage of the city, which initially seemed as if it might be a difficult accomplishment. City Manager Jon Hanken said they were able to prevent cutting more positions by delaying water and sewer construction projects.

City of St. Helens

City water rates could increase by 20 percent in October to finish paying for the city’s filtration system. It should be the last year of rate increases, said Finance Director Marilyn Peterson.

Sewer rates will likely increase by a sizeable amount, she said, because of state-mandated fixes to the system. Although they don’t know by how much yet, Peterson said the rates could rise by around 30 percent.

One schools officer has been cut from the St. Helens Police Department. The person working in that position filled another vacancy in the department.

A full time police clerk specialist position was cut from the budget, as were two part-time court clerks. A code enforcement position was eliminated, but the person working there took a position in the sewer department.

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