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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee Of The Whole
November 2, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 1:13 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, Ken Mann,
L. Ward Nelson and Carl Weimer.
Absent: None.
1. ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2011/2012 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET
(AB2010 -244) (1:13 :52 PM)
The following people answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
• Marianne Caldwell, Administrative Services Department
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department
• Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department Director
• Regina Delahunt, Health Department Director
There was discussion about the real estate excise tax (REET) and road fund levy
shift, allowed uses of REET, increases in medical examiner and morgue expenses; the
details of grant funded green power; a description of several non - departmental requests;
recommendations made by the Court Advisory Committee; County funding for the
ambulance services and Medic One; million dollar increases beginning in 2010 regarding the
countywide emergency medical services fund; funding for Lydia Place, Small Potatoes
Gleaning Project, Food Bank, and Sean Humphries Hospice House; the reason for
Conservation Futures fund dollars backfilling the road fund, and; the forecast for timber
harvest taxes.
Brenner referenced a handout (on file) regarding her comments. She moved to
amend to freeze the rates for the medical examiner and morgue, items five and seven in
the non - departmental requests at the same amount as 2010, or contact other counties
about regionalizing the service.
Crawford stated he is opposed to the motion. There is already a contract, and the
administration has expressed its intent to try and renegotiate.
Weimer asked if the contract has a clause to open discussion if the funding isn't
available.
Brenner withdrew her motion. She moved to amend to eliminate the Executive's
$30,000 contingency fund.
Knutzen suggested a friendly amendment to approve half that amount in 2011,
and eliminate the fund in 2012.
Special Committee of the Whole - 2011/2012 Budget, 11/2/2010, Page 1
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Brenner did not accept the friendly amendment.
Crawford stated he is opposed to the motion. The contingency fund allows a minimal
amount of flexibility to the Executive to use his discretion on a few items that come up
during the year. That discretion involves a certain level of trust. The Executive has
exercised that judgment well in the past. They can't stop emergencies and small items
from coming up. There will be a bureaucratic process to get those requests as additional
services requests (ASRs). This fund has been cut substantially in the last few years.
Brenner stated this has nothing to do with trust. Everyone should be able to see
what the Executive spends the money on. The Executive already has authority in
emergencies. These are things that should come to the Council, or else they are gifts of
public money. (1:54:10 PM)
Nelson stated the fund allows the Executive flexibility to meet the needs of the
community. The Executive has to justify those actions to the Council and the voters.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner and Mann (2)
Nays: Crawford, Kershner, Knutzen, Nelson and Weimer (5)
Brenner moved to amend to eliminate Washington State Association of Counties
(WSAC) association dues. Eliminate line item 13 of non - departmental requests.
Crawford stated he is opposed to the motion. WSAC does a lot for the County,
including act as the County's watchdog regarding unfunded mandates.
Brenner stated WSAC didn't do anything on the issue of Enhanced 911. They
completely ignored Whatcom County, and advocated for the service without any specifics.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner and Mann (2)
Nays: Crawford, Kershner, Knutzen, Nelson and Weimer (5)
Knutzen moved to amend to delete the funding for Green Building, Resource
Conservation, and Smart Trips in 2011 and 2012 in the amount of $20,000 per year. The
County should not be in this business. He would rather fund the Food Bank with this
money.
Brenner stated she does not support the motion. This service helps people in the
industry be able to meet more regulations through green alternatives.
Weimer stated Smart Trips isn't part of Sustainable Connections. Desler stated it is
a holding item. Those funds haven't yet been requested. He described options for funding
for the Food Bank capital construction.
Mann stated services provided by Sustainable Connections provide the County a
return on the County's investment. He is opposed to the motion.
Crawford stated he supports the motion. The cost is usually used for a green
building seminar in partnership with the Building Industry Association (BIA). That
organization can host the program without County funding, if it's important to them. There
is a limit to how many discretionary taxpayer dollars they can put into these programs.
Special Committee of the Whole - 2011/2012 Budget, 11/2/2010, Page 2
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Brenner stated she doesn't understand why Councilmember Crawford would support
this motion, yet supports the association dues and Executive contingency fund that may
give a benefit they can't even measure. (2:13:38 PM)
Kershner stated she supports the motion. There's no specific plan or request for this
money at this time from Sustainable Connections. Sustainable Connections should take
over the cost of hosting this seminar. She won't approve any money that is waiting for a
program to be attached to it.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Kershner, Knutzen and Nelson (4)
Nays: Brenner, Mann and Weimer (3)
There was discussion about planned funding for the Food Bank.
Knutzen moved to amend to approve contract services in the amount of $20,000
per year to the Food Bank as a non - departmental request.
Brenner suggested a friendly amendment to add $30,000 more to the Food
Bank and add $8,000 for Small Potatoes Gleaning Project.
Knutzen did not accept the friendly amendment. He stated one thing at a time.
Everyone has to make cuts.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Kershner, Knutzen, Mann, Nelson and Weimer (6)
Nays: Crawford (1)
Weimer moved to amend to approve contract services in the amount of an
additional $38,000, totaling $58,000 per year for the Food Bank, unless the County can find
a way to use Economic Development Investment (EDI) Fund money instead.
There was a discussion about whether the Food Bank capital project would qualify for
EDI funding, and whether County funding would open up Food Bank funds to be used on
food.
Mike Cohen, Food Bank, stated Food Bank reserves are unrestricted. The property in
the capital project is owned by the Food Bank. He doesn't yet know the associated
development costs of the Food Bank property versus the publicly -owned property. There
may be some funds required related to stormwater.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Kershner, Mann and Weimer (4)
Nays: Crawford, Knutzen and Nelson (3)
Brenner asked if the Small Potatoes Gleaning Project is now contracted through the
Food Bank. Desler stated there is one contract with the Food Bank for $58,000. The Small
Potatoes Gleaning Project is a program of the Food Bank.
Brenner stated reduce the salaries of elected officials, for the reasons stated in her
handout. Reduce the salary for the next Executive election. She asked if the Council's
salary is currently set at 15 percent of the Executive's salary. She recalls the Council
freezing its salary at the same time the Executive took a hefty increase.
Special Committee of the Whole - 2011/2012 Budget, 11/2/2010, Page 3
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Crawford stated Mr. Desler can work with the Clerk of the Council to get the answer
to that question.
Brenner moved to amend to retain the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC)
Program, with changes recommended by WIC staff, and move the location to a county -
owned building.
Crawford stated the Executive needs to review those staff - proposed changes in
terms of Union requirements.
Brenner amended her motion and moved to amend to retain the WIC Program,
and ask the administration to provide information on the proposal from WIC staff.
Mann stated he supports the motion. They need to make sure this population gets
the best nutrition and oversight possible.
Kershner stated she is opposed to the motion. The program is good. However, the
Health Department direction is the right direction. There are many programs in the
community that the Health Department could take on. It's an expensive program.
Weimer stated he supports the motion at this time, but is curious about how it will
get funded. He may change his mind.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: Crawford, Kershner, Knutzen and Nelson (4)
Brenner stated she wanted to amend so that senior services and community centers
be administered by the Health Department, eliminate one managerial position, put Parks
Department maintenance functions under the Public Works Department, and make the
Parks Department a division of the Public Works Department.
Knutzen stated he would like to see a way to let these people run their own centers.
Brenner moved to consolidate the Parks Department as a division under the Public
Works Department. The Council was told by the administration that it would work on
department consolidation. Also, put the health component of the Parks Department that
includes the senior centers into the Health Department, which has a new accountant who
could oversee a contract to run the senior centers.
Nelson asked why the County has responsibility for the senior centers. Desler stated
there are different models for the service throughout the United States. The administration
is reviewing the local model and considering the option to contract with other jurisdictions to
take over the service.
There was discussion on the Parks Department proposal for the senior centers.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner (1)
Nays: Crawford, Kershner, Knutzen, Mann, Nelson and Weimer (6)
Weimer moved to eliminate premium pay in lieu of mileage for all employees who
receive it, in the amount of approximately $196,000 per year. He's not sure where that
Special Committee of the Whole - 2011/2012 Budget, 11/2/2010, Page 4
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amount is located in the budget. The employees would have to request reimbursement for
expenses, as all other employees have to do.
Crawford stated the employees will begin to request reimbursement and use of
County vehicles. It wouldn't be a straight reduction.
Weimer amended his motion and moved to amend to eliminate premium pay in
lieu of mileage for all employees who receive it, in the amount of approximately $196,000
per year, and add $100,000 to funding for mileage reimbursement per the State schedule.
Desler described the history of the premium pay and vehicle and cell phone
reimbursements.
Knutzen asked why the Council wouldn't be included on that premium pay list.
Weimer withdrew his motion until they get more information about what exactly
is included in the premium pay.
Brenner stated it's a flat salary increase.
Crawford stated the councilmembers are allowed to ask for reimbursements, but it
caps that amount. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) doesn't allow reimbursement of
mileage from home to work. It would be more effort to calculate all those costs. There is
an existing system for reimbursement.
Brenner stated the public deserves to know what those costs actually are. The
premium pay is only for 27 people. The County should be able to keep track of
reimbursements for 27 people.
Crawford stated they will get more information and discuss this again on Thursday.
Knutzen asked about the complaint that Whatcom County is laying off the front line
people and keeping the managers. He asked for information on which positions are being
cut. Desler stated that out of 151 eliminated staff, 29 were managers.
Nelson stated that information is in Volume 2.
Brenner stated two - thirds of the premium pay recipients receive the same amount.
She asked the difference between car allowance authorization and premium pay.
Crawford stated the administration will bring forward that information on Thursday.
(3:18:40 PM)
Mann asked about the Health Department service level shift away from providing
direct services, with WIC as an example. Delahunt stated they work with other
organizations to assist them to comply with new regulations. That is policy -level work. The
plan is to retain one WIC nutritionist to continue to work on policy level work in the Health
Department. Other services in the Health Department are making the same shifts.
Crawford stated key topics for Thursday are the premium pay and the ratio of
Council and Executive salary.
Brenner stated the Council salary is 13 percent of the Executive salary. She would
like to lower both.
Special Committee of the Whole - 2011/2012 Budget, 11/2/2010, Page 5
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Crawford stated Councilmember Brenner can bring forward a proposal for both on
Thursday.
Weimer stated he would like information from the Revised Code of Washington
(RCW) or State Charter about not reducing elected official salaries during their term. It
seems any reduction could go into effect in 2012.
Kershner stated she would like information on adding $20,000 or $30,000 for a
geese management program around lake Whatcom by contracting with the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA), similar to the program at Lake Washington.
Crawford stated the administration can provide that information on Thursday.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:29 p.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council &o.w hatcom .wa.us
Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk
Sam Crawford, Committee Chair
Special Committee of the Whole - 2011/2012 Budget, 11/2/2010, Page 6