Placer County Executive Officer Thomas M. Miller has expressed his appreciation to the Placer Public Employees Organization for its willingness to work with the county in finding solutions to the $23.6 million budget deficit the county is facing next year.

   “We are very pleased that PPEO is willing to help us find solutions, and look forward to working more closely,” said CEO Miller.

   PPEO’s President Clark Gehlbach addressed the Board of Supervisors during the public comment section today, expressing the union’s willingness to help find a solution. His proposal came in response to last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting during which the County Executive Office declared the need for both short- term and long-term solutions to fill the upcoming budget gap, which has been caused by declining revenues the last three years.

   Gehlbach said that PPEO is willing to extend its current contract by one year, with the additional terms of a 0% COLA and 10 days of furlough. PPEO represents approximately 1,900 county employees.

   “We believe the proposal by PPEO is certainly a step in the right direction, but it ignores the need for long-term solutions, an important point discussed at last week’s budget briefing,” CEO Miller said.

   He noted the PPEO plan proposed by Gehlbach today addresses the need for short-term savings, but does not include the long-term budget adjustments that will help the county balance its budget after the 2010-11 fiscal year.

   The 10 furlough days and agreement to forgo a cost-of-living increase would apply only to next fiscal year.

   In a report to the board for last week’s budget briefing, CEO Miller said the county also is looking for long-term solutions, such as increased cost sharing by employees for retirement, health and other benefits.

   In an agreement approved by the board Feb. 23, management employees agreed to have nine furlough days and no cost-of-living increase, plus an increased share of health care costs.