Cowlitz County commissioners are asking employees to take voluntary furloughs and other reductions to help balance the 2010 budget but don’t know yet how many will agree.

Unlike 2009, though, the proposed 2010 budget does not call for any employee layoffs even though it’s still about $1 million out of balance. The 2011 budget also is $1 million in the red.

“We’re really crossing our fingers that the employees meet us halfway,” said Commissioner Axel Swanson.

Commissioners on Tuesday approved a program that lets employees volunteer to take furlough days, reduce their hours or pay or reduce benefit payments. The hope is employees will do so to avoid deeper budget cuts. The offer is open to all non-union employees and any union employees whose unions approve the plan. Unions will get the details of the offer today, said Personnel Director Jim Zdilar.

Employees also can opt to take early retirement and receive up to an $8,000 buyout to their health care account in a separate cost-cutting measure approved by commissioners last week.

The unknown is how many unions, if any, will approve either plan for their employees. Last year all 10 unions turned down a request for a 5 percent pay reduction. And only two allowed employees to volunteer for furloughs and other reductions.

“I don’t know that the staff still understands that we’re still in a financial crisis,” said Commissioner Kathleen Johnson. “I think some people thought that come December 2009 this would all be over, but it’s not.”

Commissioners George Raiter and Axel Swanson said they hope there will be the same or more participation for 2010 but added they can’t really predict the outcome at this point.

“I’m hopeful they’ll participate again,” Swanson said. “They really saved us a significant amount this year.”

Right now, the working 2010 budget does not call for layoffs but officials warned that a mid-year adjustment may be needed if revenues come in less than expected. No new hires are budgeted either.

“If we get participation (in the voluntary programs) now it may reduce the risk of layoffs in the spring or maybe it helps us pay for the early retirement which will save money long-term but have an upfront cost,” Raiter said.

“We don’t want to be in the situation we were last May,” Swanson said.

In May the county had to adjust its budget and laid of 25 employees while leaving another 15 jobs vacant. That was on top of 18 employees laid off in December to balance the 2009 budget.

The 2009 cuts were deep but Raiter said the one positive note is they may prevent more cuts. Other counties and cities are looking at 2010 cuts after smaller or no cuts in 2009.

“I think the real strong approach we took (in 2009) is why we’re looking at no layoffs right now,” Raiter said. “I can’t say for sure we won’t need a mid-year review but we’re hoping to just stay flat on revenue and maintain.”