News Briefs

Preliminary county budget guidelines approved

Mason County 2023 and 2024 preliminary budget guidelines were approved by county commissioners at the June 21 meeting.

According to the information packet, the calls for budget from county departments goes out by the second Monday in July. The board sends out budget instructions on or before the date the auditor sends out the call for budgets.

The Congressional Budget Office has projected elevated inflation will continue through 2022 because of a combination of strong demand and restrained supply in markets for goods, services and labor. Inflation is expected to subside by 2023 as supply disruptions dissipate, energy prices decline and less accommodative monetary policy takes hold. After 2022, economic growth is expected to slow and inflationary pressure ease, with real GDP expected to grow by 1.6 percent per year from 2023 to 2026.

County signs PUD 3 contract

Mason County signed a contract with Mason County PUD 3 to distribute American Rescue Plan Act Money for a PUD 3 substation.

According to the information packet, the contract is worth up to $1.5 million through June 30, 2024. The money will be used to help install a Belfair electrical substation.