Ada County Reduces Total Budget by $3.3 Million
BOISE – The Fiscal Year 2021 proposed balanced budget for Ada County is set at $284,731,212. That is down $3.3 Million from FY 2020. The Board of Commissioners began the budget process with a firm commitment to providing as much relief to all taxpayers while not affecting critically important services for growing communities. While overall numbers are down, the budget provides for some high demand projects and positions that will improve critical services to area residents. Some of the highlights of the FY21 budget include:
- Funding to staff a second driver’s license location
- Two deputies to patrol East Ada County [Harris Ranch/Lucky Peak area]
- Improved communication for Police, Fire, and EMS in Rural Ada County
- Improvement to our Drug Treatment/Mental health Court [Remodel of New Facility & 3 Peer Support Specialists]
- Parking and Pathway Improvements at Barber Park
- The return of issuance of Passports
- Funding for the Master’s Facility Plan to address some of our most pressing capital infrastructure needs including a courthouse currently above capacity. You can now view the Ada County Budget in detail using the interactive Budget Explorer tool.
“Providing taxpayer relief, especially during these challenging times, was paramount in planning for our budget. Because we worked hard alongside our fellow elected officials we were able to collectively find ways to tighten our belts, and to do more with less while not sacrificing services to the public. FY21 will see no increase in taxes, however, we will be taking the new construction roll so that growth helps pay for itself. I am confident we will maintain the excellent level of service the public has come to expect from Ada County. I sincerely hope the tax relief we are able to provide will be helpful as we all navigate these unprecedented times.” Commissioner Kendra Kenyon, Chair.
Despite the challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic the Board was able to hear and consider public comments and feedback on the budget before signing off on expenditures. Additional feedback can be submitted to [email protected]
“COVID-19 dramatically changed many things in 2020 as we planned and analyzed Ada County’s FY 2021 budget. One thing it did not change was my commitment to being fiscally responsible. Ada County is able to have a zero increase 2021 budget with minimal pain, and without a reduction in services, because Medicaid expansion continues to yield significant benefits to Ada County taxpayers.” Diana Lachiondo, Ada County Commissioner.
“I am thankful that department heads made a concerted effort to keep their FY2021 department budget requests flat. This allowed the Board to be able to establish a balanced budget without adding the statutorily allowed 3%, and only increase revenue from new construction. Now will come the more difficult decision to not apply that 3% to the forgone pool; because if the 3% is not denied, it may only be deferred if taken as forgone taxes in subsequent years.” Patrick Malloy, Ada County Commissioner.
The FY 21 budget will be set by the Board of Commissioners on July 28, 2020 in an open business meeting, followed by the adoption of the final budget resolution on August 11, 2020.