HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1994-008WIL4TCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 9¢070
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office:
Agenda date
Assi ed to:
`riginator. Ward Nelson
Division Head:
2/1/94
Council
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor.
Purchasing/Budget:
Executive:
SUBJECT:
Creating a Blue Ribbon Panel to review budget processes and financial operations
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
SUMMARY STATEMENT Please complete sections of box as appropriate & explain the item below.
Related County contract #:
Should Clerk schedule a hearing? NO YES Requested date:
Amount budgeted for this item roicet: $
Is it or will it be within budget? YES NO Please explain below
Budget line item number(s):
A Blue Ribbon Panel of concerned financial and management professionals will be created and charged with
task of reviewing budget processes and financial operations. The panel will have seven members appointed
majority vote of the Council and confirmed by the Executive. One member of the Council's Finance and
Personnel Committee and act as a liaison between the Panel and the Council. The findings will be submitted
as a preliminary report to the Council and the County Executive two weeks prior to the Council's annual budget
retreat. The Panel will be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30.020).
ORIGINATOR'S RECOMMENDED ACTION.•
COMMITTEE ACTION TAKEN:
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
2/1/94: Council approved the resolution. 7 -0. The number of members was changed from
seven to nine.
Related File Numbers: Ordbuuzce or Resolution Number (this item only): Res94 -008
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bluerib.m 145#4 2/1/94 SPONSORED BY: Nelson
Amended PROPOSED BY: Nelson
INTRODUCTION DATE: 2/1/94
RESOLUTION NO. 94 -008
CREATING A BLUE RIBBON PANEL TO REVIEW
BUDGET PROCESSES AND FINANCIAL OPERATIONS
WHEREAS, Whatcom County government experienced increased growth between
1989 to 1991 which resulted in increased staffing, equipment and capital projects; and
WHEREAS, during this period an additional 70 -plus full time equivalent positions
were added, resulting in a 12.5 percent increase in the County work force; and
WHEREAS, the 1992, 1993, and finally the projected 1994 budget not only show our
County's economic growth slowing but resulting in a decrease in our ending fund balance;
and
WHEREAS, the public demands service of governments, the budgetary concerns
become increasingly difficult to mediate, resulting in delayed budget approvals; and
WHEREAS, we find that citizen involvement, particularly from our business
community, may be able to provide insight and suggestions for. efficiency in our budget and
financial processes; and
Resolution Creating a Blue Ribbon Panel, 211194
Page 1
1 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that a
2 Blue Ribbon Panel of concerned financial and management professionals will be created
3 and charged with the task of reviewing budget processes and financial operations, as more
4 clearly described in Exhibit A; and
5 BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED that the Blue Ribbon Panel will have nine members,
6 with members to be appointed by nomination and majority vote of the Council and
7 confirmation by the Executive; and
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that one member of the Council's Finance and
9 Personnel Committee shall attend meetings and act as liaison between the Blue Ribbon
10 Panel and the Council; and
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Blue Ribbon Panel's findings will be
12 submitted as a preliminary report to the Council and the County Executive two weeks prior
13 to the Council's annual budget retreat; and
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as a subagency created pursuant to legislative
15 act the meetings of the Blue Ribbon Panel will be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act
16 (RCW 42.30.020 (1) (c)); and
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff support will be provided to the Panel as
Resolution Creating a Blue Ribbon Paned 211194 Page 2
1 detailed in Exhibit A to this Resolution; and
2 BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that prior to beginning its work, the Blue Ribbon
3 Panel will be briefed by the Administration in conjunction with the Council representative
4 who will be attending Panel meetings.
5 APPROVED this / s'� day of Qom' 1994.
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7 ATTEST:
8�
9 Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk
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APPROVED as to form:
Civil Deputy Pros. Atty.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
; z 14 '.. -dJ
Ro ert Imhof,
WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE
AA�IL
Y
Shirley Van Zante
Resolution Creating a Blue Ribbon Pane4 211194
Page 3
1 EXHIBIT A to Resolution 94 -008
2 AB94 -070
3 SCOPE OF REVIEW FOR THE
4 WHATCOM COUNTY BLUE RIBBON PANEL
5 The Whatcom County Council and the County Executive agree that the institution of a Blue
6 Ribbon Panel of concerned financial and management professionals, charged to review
7 budget processes and financial operations and make appropriate recommendations, would
8 be helpful and in the best interests of the County.
9 The following issues should be included in the Blue Ribbon Panel's scope of review:
10 1) Review procedures used in development of the budget, and the format used to
11 present the budget and related documents.
12 2) Review of the budgetary time lines contained in the County Charter for
13 appropriateness.
14 3) Review of the financial structure of the County in regards to accounting systems and
15 financial reporting.
16 4) Review the management processes used in financial and budgetary decision making.
17 5) Review systems used to monitor performance, productivity and costs of operations.
18 Prior to beginning its review of these items,. the Blue Ribbon Panel will be briefed by the
19 Administration and the Council Member who will be attending Panel meetings.
20 The Blue Ribbon Panel's findings will be submitted as a preliminary report to the Council
21 and the County Executive two weeks prior to the Council's annual budget retreat, which
22 takes place in June this year.
23 The Council's Budget and Program Analyst will attend all Panel meetings and provide staff
24 assistance as needed, and the Administration will provide assistance and expertise to the
25 Panel as appropriate. The Clerk of the Council will prepare and publicize notice of Blue
26 Ribbon Panel meetings. Copies of all minutes, correspondence,_ and other paperwork
27 generated by or submitted to the Panel as the result of its public meetings will be submitted
28 to the Clerk of the Council for record - keeping purposes. Volunteers supplied by Panel
29 members will provide clerical support, including minutes preparation, for the Panel.