EVERETT — Snohomish County Council was surprised to learn today that the county’s 2009 revenues were about $4.9 million lower than expected.
That means that the cash reserves the county relies on to pay bills will take a big hit. The county now has about $8.8 million in reserves instead of the expected $13.7 million.
On learning the news Wednesday, councilmen rescinded permission to hire for 11 full-time positions and one part-time position. They had earlier exempted those jobs from a countywide hiring freeze.
Councilmen today demanded that executive office staff inform them immediately if reserve numbers fall any lower.
County Executive Aaron Reardon warned last week that elected leaders might have to return before the first quarter of this year to adjust the current budget. In March 2009, the county enacted emergency furloughs and other measures to compensate for falling revenues.
Council Chairman Dave Gossett said the steps the county will take depend on how revenues fare this year compared to assumptions used in drafting the budget.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
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