2010 Asotin County budget approved

Commissioners approve $28 million budget

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Story Published: Dec 22, 2009 at 11:14 PM PDT

Story Updated: Dec 23, 2009 at 12:15 AM PDT

By Stephanie Smith

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ASOTIN - Higher taxes in Asotin County as commissioners deal with a tight budget.

Monday commissioners approved the $28 million 2010 budget. County Financial Officer Kelly Dougherty said that number is reliant on state funding which could face further cuts as the state works to balance the budget. With some cuts already at the state level for meth grant funding, the county is losing a deputy prosecutor, a full time court clerk as well as a part time clerk. The county is also leaving several open jobs unfilled, including a HR director, commercial appraiser and two other positions. Dougherty said a big difference in the 2010 budget compared to 2009 is a drop in revenue. She said new construction dropped 50 percent, retail sales are down as is interest earnings. A one percent increase in property taxes next year is designed to help offset those losses.

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