HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1996-040WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 1996 - 267
CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To
Orig. Dept.: County Council
7/2/1996
7/9/1996
Finance&Admin/Council
Division Head:
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
D� 71166
/Budget: .
Executive: dwareing
7/2/1996
SUBJECT.•
Resolution establishing guidelines for the development of the 1997 budget .
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
SU? &IARY STATE&ENT.•
Related County Cotract M N/A Should the Clerk schedule a hearing? (Y/1) Requested Date:
On June 6 the Council met and identified certain items for consideration in developing the 1997 budget. This resolution is to
provide guidaance and establish Council priorities for use by the Administration.
REC011RvIENDED MOTION (for final action):
I move to approve the resolution.
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
1996 - 267 7/9/96: Amended and Approved 7 - 0
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
97budgetrm 07/1/96 SPONSORED BY: CONSENT
PROPOSED BY: STAFF
INTRODUCTION DATE: 7 / 9 / 9 6
1 RESOLUTION NO. 96 -040
2 COUNCIL POLICIES AND PRIORITIES FOR
3 DEVELOPMENT OF THE 1997 BUDGET
4 WHEREAS, the County Council met on June 7, 1996 for their annual retreat to begin the
5 process for preparation of the next years budget; and
6 WHEREAS, As a result of discussion at the meeting, a majority opinion emerged as to the
7 most important items of concern that the Council feels should be considered as the Executive and
8 staff develop their budget proposals for 1997;
9 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that the
14 guidelines shown in attachment A to this resolution should be used by elected officials and the
11 administration as they begin development of their funding requests for 1997.
12 APPROVED this 9 day of July 1997.
13 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
14 ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
15
16 ro - it Clerk L Ward Nels Cou cil Chair
17 APPROVED AS TO FORM:
18 � a - ,
19 Civil Deputy Prosecuting Atty.
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ATTACHMENT A
BUDGET DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES FOR FY 1997
2 The following represents the general policies the County Council wishes to be considered by all
3 operations in the development of your 1997 budget request.
4 1) In regards to revenues, the budget should be developed based on existing levels of taxation.
5 Property Taxes should remain at the 100% level plus new construction. The Council will consider
6 adjustments to fee schedules, and encourages a review of fee collection and new fees within Criminal
7 Justice activities.
8 2) The Council desires that existing service levels should be reduced as necessary to
9 accommodate lower anticipated revenues and Fund Balance carryovers. Areas of higher priority
10 where services should be maintained as much as possible include:
11 Assessor Treasurer Auditor
12 Criminal Justice Land Use Transportation
13 Human Services (some areas) Regulatory Reform & Controls
14 Areas of lower priority where service reductions are more acceptable include:
15 Human Services (some areas) Parks Business Services
16 Internal Services Engineering Planning
17
18 3) The Current Expense budget should be built upon an anticipated Ending Fund Balance at least
19 matching the 1996 level of approximately $400,000. The existing Rainy Day account should be
20 maintained.
21 4) Departments should identify all services that are a result of federal, state or court mandates,
22 and identify those that are local discretionary programs. Discretionary programs should be prioritized.
23 5) Consolidation of departments and operations, along with reduction in the number of
24 supervisory and managerial positions, should be pursued where possible.
25 6) Contracting of services should be pursued in instances where both private and public sector
26 providers may competitively bid to provide services at a lesser cost than in -house operations.
27 7) Performance standards, including county -wide job conduct and performance targets, should
28 be improved and expanded.
29 8) The administration should prepare for the joint development of a strategic plan during 1997.
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