HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole October 28 20101
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee Of The Whole
October 28, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (9:36 :27 AM)
Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann, Sam Crawford, Bill Knutzen, Kathy Kershner
and Carl Weimer.
Absent: L. Ward Nelson.
1. ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2011/2012 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET
(AB2010 -244)
Health
Regina Delahunt, Health Department Director, stated they went through a lengthy
and thoughtful strategic planning process and discussed proposals with the advisory board
and Board of Health. The State public health system is changing to reshape public health in
Washington State. The State changes are similar to local public health changes. She read
from the State Public Health Agenda for Change (on file).
They had to balance this budget due to decreased revenue in the amount of
$100,000. For the next budget, they had to reduce expenses by $500,000. She
summarized the additional services requests (ASRs) and budget reductions. Beginning in
2012, they want to start reshaping the department.
The following person answered questions:
Terry Hinz, Health Department
There was discussion about the programs and associated positions being eliminated;
and having a regional versus local epidemiologist, and; whether they can rearrange the
people they have to fill their needs, given the vacant positions.
Parks (10 :11:31 AM)
Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department Director, submitted a handout (on
file) and stated that given the economy, they have seen a trend where parks and senior
services are being used more than they have in the past. They use many volunteers and
volunteer services. All the Parks staff have pitched in where needed. The proposed budget
is reduced $440,000 in general fund expenses. The budget allows safe and clean
maintenance of parks and facilities. All parks and facilities can be kept open and affordable.
Revenues have held firm, and use fees are priced right. He summarized the budget and
staff reductions.
Discussion included how to contract with independent senior services providers in the
community; using park volunteers in place of park rangers; whether contracts for senior
Special Committee of the Whole - 2011/2012 Budget, 10/28/2010, Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
services providers would not result in a budget reduction; why they would keep a senior
services manager, rather than use other existing County staff, if they are contracting out
the senior services, and; whether this budget considers the possibility of adding a couple of
new parks to Whatcom County's inventory.
Cooperative Extension (10:43:16 AM)
Drew Betz, Cooperative Extension Director, described the partnership between
Whatcom County and Cooperative Extension and Extension programs. She summarized the
staff and program reductions.
Discussion included staff levels; services provided to local farmers and commercial
agriculture, and; concentrating on water rights efforts.
There was discussion regarding the condition and use of the County facility on Forest
Street.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, described the history of the Forest Street
facility and the status of its condition. The space is inexpensive and offers parking. There
isn't a need to sell the facility at this point.
Sheriff and Jail (11:02:35 AM)
Bill Elfo, Sheriff, stated recent guidelines formed the basis for their 2011 fiscal and
operational plan. There is an overall reduction of $1.5 million in the Sheriff's Office and Jail,
in addition to those reductions implemented last year and this year. They will affect
services, but they plan to best use their resources to perform legal mandates and
responsibilities. Reductions are not sustainable beyond the next budget cycle without
dramatic risks to safety and service. Not all frozen positions were eliminated. They may be
reinstated if necessary. There will be changes to programs and response to public safety
needs. There has been an increase in domestic violence barricade situations. The jail is
crumbling. He described the budget and program reductions and changes.
Brenner asked if there is a deputy in Point Roberts, the status of the triage center,
and whether there can be a policy to ask employees to stay until their positions are filled.
Elfo stated they are covered by the collective bargaining agreement. It would be difficult to
bargain directly with an individual employee. The employees are very dedicated. They
have been here for 30 or 35 years and are eligible for retirement. They would let him know,
but they're not going to leave the department unprepared, unless something tragic
happens. There are two resident deputies at Point Roberts. The work load in Point Roberts
doesn't justify two deputies, but the logistics do justify it. He described the process of
getting a deputy to Point Roberts. The triage center is a Health Department issue. It would
be promising if they can effectively divert people from the criminal justice system to the
mental health system for minor crimes. That hasn't happened the way they anticipated.
The Health Department was never staffed and funded to handle the types of people who
would really benefit from that program. He is working with Health Department staff to
make the center more useful.
Knutzen asked if grants are available, but not pursued because of a lack of staff and
whether seized assets can remain local. Elfo stated the Drug Task Force is a cooperative
effort among many law enforcement jurisdictions. All assets seized and returned go to the
County Drug Fund, which supports the operation of the Task Force. There's no competition
for the funds among those who work together on the Task Force. Other cities have
Special Committee of the Whole - 2011/2012 Budget, 10/28/2010, Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
independent drug investigations and drug units. If they seize assets, the law allows them to
forfeit the asset into their own funds. They are trying to work together.
They must be careful when going for grants that the staff can adequately manage
the grants. Some of the reporting requirements associated with grants and the
administrative time involved in the accounting make the grants not worthwhile. They
manage grant money through the Department of Emergency Management. Staff are very
good at managing grants and handling the paperwork. They've received many grants
during the last few years. He described recent grants received.
Knutzen asked whether any E911 tax increase funds can be used for computer issues
and whether new jail controls will require fewer staff to maintain the jail, so they can be
relocated elsewhere. Elfo stated funds from the E911 tax cannot be used for computer
issues. Those funds can only be used for 911 services. There is no potential for new jail
controls to allow fewer jail staff. They are in a precarious position right now. The people
who maintain the system informed the County in writing that the system presents a high
fire hazard. That's the very system that will fail and leave inmates and staff unable to
escape a fire. A recent fire drill resulted in a projected loss of 70 to 80 staff and inmates.
They have no choice to do the improvements. They have to bring extra people in when
those controls fail.
Mann asked how often a patrol deputy interrupts a violent felony in progress due to
responding to a call or being in the area. Elfo stated the most frequent and reoccurring
crime they stop is domestic violence. There are many examples of when a deputy has
gotten someone as they flee from the crime. It happens daily. They pay close attention to
the career criminals in the community. Some of them leave the community.
Mann asked the trend for holding repeat offenders accountable. Elfo stated much of
it has to do with jail crowding, the need to plea bargain cases, and changes in the State
Department of Corrections budget. Sentences that used to be served in the State prison
are now served for a shorter time in the County jail or the inmates are being released with
no supervision. The State budget dictates how long offenders are held in jail.
Mann asked how to better deploy resources to prevent crimes before they happen.
Elfo stated some people who should never be out of prison are released in three or four
years. People are being released from prison and continue to commit atrocious crimes.
Certain people need to be completely removed from society. However, there are success
stories. Some people go through the system, take advantage of programs to get off drugs,
and get clean. Seventy to eighty percent of the problems in the County are associated with
drugs or alcohol. Some people get clean and move on to responsible jobs in the
community.
Mann asked about prevention and early intervention before people even get
arrested. Elfo stated it probably needs to start when people are in kindergarten. Parents of
small children live the gang lifestyle and pass that on to their children.
Desler stated establishing public safety is the County's first priority.
Administrative Services (11:57:11 AM)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, described the functions and responsibilities of
the four divisions in the Administrative Services Department. The organization is shrinking
in personnel. They will structure services differently. This budget does not reduce services,
but is more efficient and cost - effective in delivering services.
Special Committee of the Whole - 2011/2012 Budget, 10/28/2010, Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
The following people answered questions:
• Perry Rice, Administrative Services Department Information Technology
Manager
• Mike Russell, Administrative Services Department Facilities Manager
Discussion included carpet replacement on the Courthouse fourth floor; not
eliminating a system support specialist; losing positions due to lost grant funds, and; the
trend of increasing public disclosure requests.
Executive (12 :10 :46 PM)
Desler stated no changes are proposed. It's a small office. A key role of the
Executive is as the face and voice of this government to the people in the community. He
works to inform, involve, and empower people in the community when interacting with the
government. The Executive staff and County staff have an excellent working relationship.
That will continue.
Discussion included freezing salaries of elected officials and unrepresented
employees; the ordinance that sets Councilmember salaries; the Executive's discretionary
fund; grouping or separating the Executive Office positions and certain Administrative
Services staff, and; the options for eliminating vehicle allowance and premium pay for
certain County staff and using the regular reimbursement process instead.
County Council (12 :24 :11 PM)
Dana Brown - Davis, Clerk of the Council, stated they met targeted reduction budget
reductions requested by the Administration. She summarized additional service request and
the budget reductions.
The following person answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
Discussion included whether the Council Office pays for unused office space; the
option of moving the Hearing Examiner's Office into the Council Office; what the travel
allowance can be used for, and; Council salary limitations in the County Charter.
(Clerk's Note: The Committee took a lunch break from 12 :34 p.m. to 2 :00 p.m.)
Miscellaneous Non - Departmental and Advisory Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Desler stated there were one -time expenses in the current budget that they won't
have for the 2011 -2012 budget. He summarized proposed budget changes.
The following people answered questions:
• Rebecca Johnson, Commission Against Domestic Violence Chair
• Susan Marks, Commission Against Domestic Violence Director
• Laura, Clark, Whatcom Humane Society
• Mike Cohen, Food Bank
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department
Discussion included whether they can reduce costs for the Medical Examiner; the
possibility of developing a regional medical examiner system; reducing the medical
examiner position to a coroner; the history of the County's Green Power program; reduced
Special Committee of the Whole - 2011/2012 Budget, 10/28/2010, Page 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
funding for the Domestic Violence Commission; putting association dues funds toward
domestic violence costs; the effectiveness of the Washington State Association of Counties
(WSAC) and National Association of Counties (NaCO); changes in animal control services
and funding; the amount of the Humane Society contract that is for the large animal
program; strengthening the ordinance regarding barking dogs and animal welfare; (2:39:05
PM) the use of the Executive contingency funds, and using those funds for domestic violence
services; the reason Bertrand Creek monitoring funding is eliminated; grant fund changes
for Rapid Border prosecution; the history of leave payouts; the possibility of changing leave
payout formulas, and; eliminated funding for the Food Bank and Small Potatoes Gleaning
Project.
Kershner stated she would like a more detailed budget for the ambulance services
and Medic One.
(3 :09:07 PM)
Desler summarized the proposals for the Economic Development Investment (EDI)
fund. In partnership with the City of Bellingham and Port of Bellingham, they are working
to develop a common pool of money and work program, with which they would ask an
organization to do something powerful in a few years. He described the format of a
common program. A formal budget will come forward with a supplemental budget request
when ready.
The same collaboration applies to the Convention Center Fund. He described the
proposal process.
Discussion included funding for Lydia Place, Sean Humphrey Hospice, the Friendly
Visitor's Program, and Womencare Shelter; using the Executive's contingency fund for the
Friendly Visitor's Program, and; the use of miscellaneous non - departmental funds for the
administrative cost allocation in the amount of approximately $300,000 per year.
Brenner asked for a narrative summary of the administrative cost allocation.
Kershner asked for an explanation for a reduction in non - departmental professional
services from $1.2 million to $15,000.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:27 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
The Council approved these minutes on January 11 , 2011.
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Sam Crawford, Committee Chair
Special Committee of the Whole - 2011/2012 Budget, 10/28/2010, Page 5