HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2007-063WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2007 - 422 A
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assigned to:
Originator-
11/7!2007
11/07/2007
Introduction
Division Head:
11/20/2007
Hearing
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
Purchasin /Bud et:
Erecurive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
Ordinance authorizing the Levy of Taxes for County Conservation Futures Purposes
A TTA CHMENTS:
SEPA review required? { ) Yes { ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a Gearing ? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE. (If this itein is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, yo it inust provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
An ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for County conservation futures purposes in Whatcom County, Washington, for the Year of 2008 pursuant to
Home Rule Chart Section 6.10
COMMITTEE ACTION:
COUNCIL ACTION:
11/07/2007: Introduced
11/20/2007: Council Adopted 4 -3, Nelson,
Crawford & Brenner opposed Ord. 2007 -063
NOTE: On 11/28/2007 Executive Pete Kremen
vetoed this ordinance - See attached memo
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution
Ae2007 -422
Number: Ord. 2007-063
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing
on the Coun 's website at: ►v►vtv.co. tuhatcoitt. sva. us /council.
SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Casekv- Schreiber & Weimer
INTRODUCTION DATE: November 7, 2007
ORDINANCE NO. 2007 -063
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF TAXES FOR COUNTY
CONSERVATION FUTURES PURPOSES IN WHATCOM COUNTY,
WASHINGTON, FOR THE YEAR OF 2008 PURSUANT TO HOME RULE
CHARTER SECTION 6.10
WHEREAS, pursuant to Home Rule Charter Section 6.10 the County
Executive is required for submit to Council consideration a budget and proposed tax
and revenue ordinances necessary to raise sufficient revenues to balance the
budget; and,
WHEREAS, the County Council has approved a budget, for the 2007 -2008
biennium, including all sources of revenues and anticipated expenditures; and,
WHEREAS, the biennial budget provides detailed listings of various revenues
including property taxes; and,
WHEREAS, the County Council has held a public hearing concerning the
biennial budget, the property tax rates, and revenues included therein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ESTABLISHED by the
Whatcom County Council that an increase in the regular Conservation Futures
property tax levy, in addition to any amount resulting from the addition of new
construction and improvements to property and any increase in the value of state -
assessed property, is hereby authorized for the 2008 levy in the amount of
$57,684.43, which is a percentage increase of 6.39% from the previous year.
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na'QT0r` -, DAvis,Xouncil Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Novembet , 2007
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl eimer, Chairperson
{ ) APPROVED { ENIED
Pete Kremen, Executive
Date: //y � - 0 2
WHATCOM COUNTY
EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE
County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue, Suite #108
Bellingham, WA 98225 -4082
MEMORANDUM
rP�r,OM C�
� o�
4SHINGI
To: Carl Weimer, County Council Chair
County Council Members
cc: Dana Brown - Davis, Clerk of the Council
From: Pete Kremen, County Executive
Date: November 28, 2007
Pete Kremen
County Executive
Subject: Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for County Conservation Futures
purposes for 2008
I am writing to advise you that I am exercising my right of veto as allowed
by Whatcom County Charter article 2, section 2.30. 1 am vetoing the passage of a tax
levy for the County Conservation Futures program at the Whatcom County council
meeting held on November 20 (Ordinance #2007 -063). This is sent to you to be
entered into the journal of council proceedings.
It is my position that before the County increases revenue via a tax levy we
must first fulfill the following:
1. Identify a clear and compelling rationale
2. Develop a well supported plan that will address the matter with
adequate justification for additional revenue.
3. Obtain meaningful public involvement either through public hearings or
a vote of the people.
We have used this fund appropriately, efficiently and effectively. I am proud
of the track record that the council and my administration has in utilizing these funds to
preserve thousands of acres of natural and special open spaces for posterity.
Currently there is a fund balance of nearly $3 million in the Conservation
Futures Fund and an annual property levy that adds approximately $1 million to that
fund each year. Therefore, there is no compelling reason for a tax increase. Adding
additional revenue may be well intentioned. However, we need to ensure that there is
thorough rationale for any tax increase we wish to put in place. I am not convinced that
we have met that test and thus have vetoed the ordinance.
PKlah
Office (360) 676 -6717 County (360) 384 -1403 FAX (360) 676 -6775 TDD (360) 738 -4555