HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council October 30 20031
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special County Council Meeting
PROPOSED 2004 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET
October 30, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Councilmember Sam
Crawford in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Dan McShane None
Sharon Roy
L. Ward Nelson
Barbara Brenner
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
Seth Fleetwood
DISCUSSION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S 2003 RECOMMENDED
BUDGET (AB2003 -228A)
Brenner stated Gayle Pattenaude spoke at the previous budget work session.
Ms. Pattenaude had heard from someone that the people who spoke were
orchestrated, and she came because she was generally concerned. Ms. Pattenaude
wanted the Council to know that no one told her to come in and testify.
County Council and County Executive
Caskey- Schreiber asked if there is any money to upgrade their five -year old
computers.
Dana Brown - Davis, Clerk of the Council, stated the technology rent and
revolve (TR &R) fund is available for upgrades. Councilmembers may bring requests
to her as needed.
Nelson asked if they are supposed to have both laptops and desktops.
Brown -Davis stated the councilmembers have docking stations for the laptops to
use them as their desktop computers.
Roy thanked the administration for bringing forward the information on
County boards and commissions. It will be very helpful in many discussions
throughout the year.
Council Discussion
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2004 Budget, 10/30/03, Page 1
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Crawford stated he wanted to discuss revenue generation scenarios for the
County.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, gave a power point presentation. He
showed a projection from 2004 through 2009 based on the administration's best
guess of where the County is going with revenues and expenditures. There are 600
different revenue sources for the general fund. The expenditure for salaries and
wages is based upon historical activity, which is about a two percent increase plus a
modest increase that covers step increases. They are predicting a nine percent
increase in health insurance costs each year. They expect an increase in retirement
benefit costs. They are not going to spend more than about $400,000 for capital
outlay items in each year.
The difference between budgeted revenue and budgeted expenditures results
in an budget deficit each year. However, generally, departments won't spend
anywhere from one to five percent of their budget every year. They estimate a
three percent budget lapse each year, which is money that goes into the next
year's budget. The result is the fund balance. In 2003, they started with a general
fund balance of $16.5 million. At the end of 2003, they will end up with a fund
balance of $15 million. At the end of 2004, the fund balance will be about $15.1
million.
During the course of the year, the Council will approve supplemental budgets
that will affect the expenditure and revenue lines. So far in 2003, the Council has
approved supplemental budgets in a total amount of about $1.2 million. There are
compensating revenues as well, but not enough to cover the supplemental
expenditures.
When they project a conservative amount of revenue and no program or staff
growth, the ending fund balance will reduce over the years due to the increase in
expenses compared to the flat increase in revenue. The general fund declines over
time. The budget assumes the County will pay its employees a modest amount of
an increase each year to cover inflation. The administration recently received a
notice from the Department of Retirement Systems to plan for an increase
contributions to retirement from one percent of wages to five percent of wages.
That affects both employer and employee.
Crawford stated they've estimated a $1.9 million increase in property tax
revenue from 2003 to 2004. Each year thereafter, they estimate an increase of
about $500,000. He asked the difference. Desler stated the $1.9 million includes
the value of new construction in the amount of $466,000 and $1.4 million is the
corresponding increase in property taxes administration recommends to the County
Council as a result of eliminating the countywide flood fee.
The administration recommends eliminating the flood fee. In 2004, the flood
fee would have brought in $4.25 million. Instead, the administration recommends
eliminating the flood fee and replace it with a $2.5 million flood tax and an increase
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2004 Budget, 10/30/03, Page 2
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
in general fund property taxes of $1.4 million, for a total of $3.9 million. That's
$350,000 less than the current flood fee revenue. The change is to a new flood tax
and a property tax increase. When people see their property tax statements every
year, there will be a decrease in taxes and fees in total.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if $2.5 million would go to the flood fund, and $1.4
would go to the general fund. Desler stated that's correct.
Desler stated the County fund balance would become insolvent by 2008. The
Council has generally wanted to maintain a fund balance of around $6 million,
which is prudent.
Nelson asked what dropping to a zero fund balance would do to the County's
bond rating. Desler stated that when the County goes through a bond rating
review, the County will receive a lower credit rating, which will require the County
to pay more for the cost of the borrowed money. There are other implications. The
County has to come up with money for insurance settlements, insurance
appropriations, and cash flow. If the balance gets too low, the County will have to
go to the banks and borrow money with the promise to pay it back. The County
will become more and more subject to the management of the banking community.
In the past, the County had to issue registered warrants. It was pretty
disconcerting for people who received County checks. The County had to borrow
money to make the payroll.
The Council and administration can make different projections by adding or
subtracting to either the revenues or expenditures. For example, there has been
talk of building a co- generation plant in Ferndale. In terms of sales tax and
property tax, a co -gen plant would bring revenue to the County. Also, the County
could ask the voters to approve the one -tenth of one percent sales tax increase.
Additionally, they can see the effect on the fund balance if the County decided to
spend more for planning or on sheriff deputies, for example. The real estate excise
tax (REET) would generate $1.2 to $1.3 million if the County took the additional
one - quarter of one percent of REET. The REET funds can only be used for the
repair, rehabilitation, and construction of roads and parks. It can't be used to fund
other general fund activities. They could supplant the repair costs in the Parks
Department with REET funds.
Brenner asked if any of the REET funds could be used to manage REET fund
administration. Desler stated part of REET could be used for the management of
the REET funds, but not that much.
Brenner stated the Treasurer made a request for a .5 full -time equivalent
(FTE) employee to handle REET transactions. That position could be funded from a
REET increase. She asked if the administration is factoring in the impact of Alcoa
goes out of business. Desler stated the impact from Alcoa would not impact the
property tax. The rest of the property tax levy would be picked up by all the other
taxpayers in the community. The budget projection also assumes the emergency
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2004 Budget, 10/30/03, Page 3
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
medical services (EMS) levy support continues to come from the general fund. He
prepared a fact sheet on what the REET and Convention Center fund can pay for
(on file).
Revenue from the construction of the co -gen plant would include sales tax
for two years only of about $2 million. The property tax increase would ramp up to
a level of about $600,000 per year, fully realized in 2008. This assumes a start of
construction in July 2004. This makes a difference in the ending fund balance for
the County.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
McShane stated another fund they have to worry about is the road fund. If
they increase the REET, some of that money might go into the Public Works
Department. They might have to deal with the national pollution discharge and
elimination system (NPDES) permitting in parts of the county. He's pleased with
the idea of shifting the flood fee to a flood tax, and offsetting it with revenue to the
general fund. He asked if something like that might be done within Public Works
Department funds as well. Desler stated there is approximately $311,000 in
additional funds they could take for the road fund from the property tax. The road
fund could also benefit from the use of monies from the rural sales tax and REET
funds. Certain conditions would have to be met. The flood fund and REET might be
able to support certain stormwater issues.
Brenner stated it's appropriate to look at REET. She would not support any
tax increase without a decrease in nonessential services. It's insulting to go right
to tax increases instead of cutting nonessential services.
McShane stated some councilmembers are considering increasing the REET.
He's not sure it's necessary to do it right now. He would like to know what
nonessential services councilmembers would want to cut.
Nelson asked to see the impacts of an approved one - tenths of one percent
sales tax.
Crawford stated he assumed the County would have an expanded jail
capacity of some sort within these years. He asked if any of that has been included
in the budget projections. Desler stated they have not. They can make some
assumptions about it.
If they opened a minimum security jail, it would cost about $500,000 in
additional expense to the general fund. That assumes the cities pay for a portion of
this. It could cost up to $1 million or more if the cities don't participate, and the jail
ends up filled with offenders that are the County's responsibility, which is
conceivable. A one -tenth of one percent corrections tax would collect $2.5 million
per year. It would be modestly increased over time given economic increases. The
administration recommends that the $2.5 million be used to pay for the minimum
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2004 Budget, 10/30/03, Page 4
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
security jail or save and bond for a long -term facility. Once the jail is constructed,
part of the money could be used for the bonding of that jail as well as the increased
operational costs associated with a larger jail facility. He doesn't know if it would
cover all the costs, but he doesn't think it would. Most communities use bonding
capacity and going to a vote of the people to build the jail, then use the increased
sales tax to pay for ongoing operations. The law allows the County to use the $2.5
million to pay for the existing cost of operating the jail and the cost of operating
juvenile detention.
Caskey- Schreiber stated the first quarter percent of the REET the County is
already collecting could be used for a jail also. Desler stated it could, under certain
conditions. It has to be in the County's capital plan.
Crawford asked to include in the budget projections a revenue increase of
one -tenth of one percent for the sales tax and an expense increase for the jail.
Desler stated they could assume a $2.5 million revenue increase from the sales
beginning approximately in 2005.
Nelson asked if the County would receive all that revenue, or if the cities get
some of it. Desler stated the County gets all of it.
Caskey- Schreiber stated the County could use the existing REET fund balance
to build a jail facility. Desler stated the revenue impact on the rural sales tax fund
if the co -gen plant goes through would be roughly $3.5 million. It's not an increase
in taxes. It's just a rebate from the state.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if it could be used for jail operations. Desler stated
it could not, just for the capital.
In terms of expenses, they should plan on spending $500,000 in 2005, with
a inflation increase over the following years. It assumes they capitalize a building
valued at about $4 million out of the rural sales tax fund.
Caskey- Schreiber stated they could also use REET. Desler stated they could.
Caskey- Schreiber stated REET is there. They can build up the REET balance.
Desler stated they can find the money to build the jail. The issue is finding the
money to pay for ongoing operations.
Crawford asked how much revenue the REET increase would bring into the
County.
Caskey- Schreiber stated a REET increase should bring in at least an
additional $1.5 million per year. Instead of having the voters approve a broad tax,
explore the possibility of something just the Council has to vote on and approve.
The voters voted it down before. It's the Council responsibility to start making
decisions. Desler stated they can't use the REET fund to pay for salaries and
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2004 Budget, 10/30/03, Page 5
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
wages. It's only for the construction. The sales tax increase can pay for the
salaries and wages.
Caskey- Schreiber stated they may need a combination of both.
Brenner asked the increase in tax a seller pays on a $200,000 purchase if the
County increases the REET.
Crawford stated one - quarter of one percent would be $500 on a $200,000
sale.
Brenner stated the sales tax increase was voted down last time, but the
times were very different. Also, she recalls that there wasn't any information or
education of the public on the issue. There were two or three tax increases on the
ballot at the time.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she's hopeful for voter approval, but if the County
has the power to get this going, it should.
Brenner stated she doesn't want to compare with the EMS levy. The Council
had a choice to go lower on the EMS levy. If it doesn't pass, it will be because of
the amount being asked for rather than the purpose of emergency medical services.
This one -tenth of one percent is the minimal amount they can ask for. It's a
different approach.
Roy asked if the County would receive credit for owning a facility once it
builds a capital project like a jail. Desler stated it's in the balance sheet for the
organization, but it doesn't have an effect on the cash flow, which is what he's
tracking right now. They have to assume the investment would last for 40 years.
McShane asked if the increased criminal justice expense estimate of
$500,000 is for the jail. Desler stated it is for a minimum security jail. The County
would get about $500,000 or $600,000 in revenue from the cities, but it would
have a total expense of about $1.1 million. He's showing the net increase to the
County.
Caskey- Schreiber stated the County wouldn't do the minimum security
payments to the Rustand Corporation anymore. Desler stated he's already
calculated that in.
McShane asked if the additional cost to the County would be $500,000 if it
has this expanded jail capacity, however it happens. Desler stated the reason is
because they are adding 100 to 110 beds, including the additional operating cost.
McShane asked if they are assuming revenue from the cities for housing
people arrested in the cities. Desler stated that's correct. Revenue of $600,000
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2004 Budget, 10/30/03, Page 6
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
from the cities would cover $600,000 in operating expenses, leaving the County an
additional expense of $500,000.
Crawford stated the 2004 budget proposal includes a $4.25 million flood fee
decrease, a $2.5 flood tax increase, and a $1.4 million property tax increase. He
asked why the administration chose those tax increase numbers. He understands
the reason for the flood fee decrease. Desler stated the County has been using half
of the flood fee for water resources planning and half for flood funds. They have to
start using the flood fund for allowable functions. The management staff of the
Public Works Department provided an estimate of $2.5 million for the flood fund.
Then the administration asked itself what it would take to sustain operations and
provide modest increases in 2004 for things like additional capacity in the Sheriff's
Office. They tried to keep the budget in balance, assuming the EMS levy is not
approved by the public. The administration also wanted to show the public that the
County is being responsible about using County funds. The Executive wanted a
modest decrease in overall taxes to allow for this change. Some people at the
upper range of property values will see an increase.
If the Council wants to increase capacity to the criminal justice system, they
can look at those effects.
Nelson stated the additional service requests (ASR's) from the sheriff and jail
totaled about $750,000.
Caskey- Schreiber stated that including money for the rest of the criminal
justice system, which would be impacted, would total about $1 million.
Desler calculated and showed the effect to the general fund balance by the
additional revenues and expenditures mentioned. The fund balance flattens out
through 2006, and then starts a downward trend. The County is roughly $4 million
out of balance in 2009. They can't sustain that.
Nelson stated the rate of expenditure increase is too steep compared to
revenues. He asked if the projection includes the revenue from the one -tenth of
one percent sales tax increase and the REET increase. Desler stated it includes the
sales tax increase. REET funding would only generate about $250,000 per year to
the general fund.
Nelson stated they should add it in.
Brenner stated the REET can only be used for buildings. The largest cost is
salaries and health insurance.
Roy stated $250,000 would be in the general fund and available.
Caskey- Schreiber stated the general fund provides money to the Parks
Department for park repairs.
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2004 Budget, 10/30/03, Page 7
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Roy stated that if they used REET funds for that, they don't have to use the
general fund money.
Desler stated REET funds would supplant general fund money used now.
Nelson stated some of the sales tax increase could be used for salaries and
ongoing expenses for jail operations. Desler stated they could. That's what the
projections assume. The sheriff indicated that the minimum security jail is a
bandaid. It is a quick bandaid on a more fundamental problem with the criminal
justice system. They have to solve the problem.
Nelson asked what bonding for construction of a courthouse jail facility would
do to overall expenditures over a period of time. He asked the rate of increase
compared to revenues. Desler stated that if the County bonded itself, the bonding
would only go for capital expenses. He wouldn't include it in the projections
because it would be money in and money out. It would be a three -year
construction project. If the County tried to bond itself and use existing revenue to
pay for the permanent jail, the County would have to start increasing the
expenditures and assign it to the repayment of the bonds. They'd have to add $1
million as an expense. He added a bond payment of $1 million to the County's
expenditure projection.
Caskey- Schreiber asked why they would have to bond for construction of a
jail. They could use the current REET balance right now. Desler stated the current
REET balance is $2.5 million.
Caskey- Schreiber stated they could use the current REET balance plus the
extra monies that the first quarter percent of REET collected would bring in and the
first quarter rural sales tax money. Desler stated the administration is currently
using the rural sales tax money to make the courthouse bond payments.
The administration's real concern is that revenues, without any action,
remain flat and expenditures continue to rise by four to five percent each year.
Roy asked if the objective of the property tax change is to make sure the
property owner would not experience a property tax increase, with a few
exceptions. Desler stated that's correct.
Roy asked if they looked at any other tax amounts. Desler stated they could
do that.
Roy asked for a scenario where they raise the property taxes more than what
the administration recommends so the tax collected from each property owner is
the same as, rather than decreased from, the current tax. Desler stated the dollar
amount collected by the County would be $350,000 per year. That amount could
be assigned to the flood fund or the general fund.
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2004 Budget, 10/30/03, Page 8
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Roy asked the difference if they don't increase the property tax. Desler
stated that if the total revenue take is $4.25 million instead of $3.9 million, the
increase would be $350,000.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she doesn't want to consider a property tax increase
unless the EMS levy fails.
Desler stated the budget projections now include a $1 million bond payment
from the general fund for a jail, as a result of the corrections tax increase. A
minimum security jail still has an expense. With the opening of a new jail, they
won't have the money to pay for the increased cost of operating the jail. They will
have to add another $1.5 million to pay for the jail operation.
Nelson stated that assumes they maintain the minimum security facility. He
asked if $1.5 million would be the same cost if they designed one facility for the
minimum security facility and jail. Desler stated they have to assume an increase
in staff if they go from 350 beds to 600 beds. That cost has to come from
someplace.
Bill Elfo, Sheriff, stated a lot of the staffing level depends on the design of
the facility. A lot can be done with technology, routing systems, and jail design.
Desler stated the master facilities planning projection assumes an extensive
increase in jail staff. It's more than the current projection of 72 for 2005 with this
projection.
Nelson asked if there is anything that demonstrates that increasing jail
capacity can happen with existing or slightly increasing personnel. Elfo stated that
a doubled increase in population will require an increase in personnel. He doesn't
know if they will need to double personnel.
Crawford stated that a larger capacity would allow more revenue from
municipalities. Elfo stated that's correct. The cities are frustrated they can't get
people into the jail.
Desler stated the City of Bellingham has clearly said that it will not have
money for additional jail capacity if the EMS levy does not pass.
Crawford asked why the City is not placing sentenced people in jails such as
the one in Benton County. Elfo stated that's a good question. He just received a
proposal for bed space at $40 per day. Those facilities only pick up prisoners once
a week. The cities can't put their prisoners in the County jail until they are picked
up. That's the problem. They will only pickup at a jail, not at a police station.
Desler stated they can see what it would cost to send 100 prisoners off to
Yakima County or another facility, at a rate of about $50 per day.
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2004 Budget, 10/30/03, Page 9
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side 8.)
Desler estimated the financial effect of building a 100 -bed minimum security
facility and sending an average of 100 County prisoners per day to Yakima County
at a rate of $50 per day.
Elfo stated that 30 percent of the people in the jail are post- sentenced. He
could clear out about 75 beds to Yakima County.
Desler stated they won't have the expense of bonding if they don't build a jail
and instead send to prisoners to another location.
Brenner asked if there's any way to combine the interim minimum security
jail with the long -term plan, so they don't have to build twice. Elfo stated Harris
Faulkner, who is doing the study, is looking at that vacant land at Bakerview to see
if there's enough for a minimum security jail and a permanent jail. However, the
problem is that there's not enough vacant acreage now. Building up would add to
the cost.
Desler stated building a jail away from the courts will not be appropriate or
cost effective in any way. There are major security concerns and costs to
transporting prisoners back and forth. The administration is looking at all the
options, which it will bring to the Council in the future.
Brenner stated she would hate to see the County pay for a building, and then
pay again for another building. Elfo stated a primary objective of the minimum
security jail is to make the design such that it's easily converted to warehouse
space, used for another County function, or sold on the open market.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if they could use video - conferencing. Elfo stated
they could for some of the preliminary hearings. For the trial and sentencing, the
inmate has to be before the judge. Access to the public defender could be done
through video - conferencing.
Desler stated a minimum security facility would be used for sentenced
offenders. There would be little need for video - conferencing. Expense increases
are significant over time.
Brenner asked about cutting positions through attrition. Desler stated the
County has a seven or eight percent turnover every year. They would see a huge
impact on the organization.
Brenner stated some things are not essential services. Either the County will
suffer, or the public will suffer when the County raises taxes and doesn't offset the
raised taxes.
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McShane stated they need to know what Councilmember Brenner considers
nonessential services.
Brenner stated two positions that should be dropped are the outdoor
coordinator and Teen Adventure Program coordinator. Nine employees in the
Water Resources Division is not necessary. Determine the amount that will be cut
for certain departments, and then let the departments decide where to make the
cuts.
McShane asked Councilmember Brenner to name the departments.
Brenner stated one department is the Public Works Department.
Caskey- Schreiber stated a cut in the Public Works Department will not help
the general fund. They have to look where the funding for the departments comes
from.
Crawford stated Councilmember Brenner can work with the administration on
the eight percent attrition issue. This is a good time to make specific
recommendations and motions to amend the budget.
Caskey- Schreiber moved to add additional services request (ASR) 2004-
2672 as listed on ASR packet page B4 from the Planning Division of the Planning
and Development Services Department in the amount of $13,660. This ASR is for
the extra help for the agricultural program in the Planning Department to secure
more matching funds for Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. That will
free up staff's time to work on Councilmember Brenner's proposed non - traditional
architectural design standards.
McShane stated he supports the motion. The Council may be doing
significant things in the rural part of the county that will require additional help.
Nelson stated he did not support the motion. The department has the
capacity to do the work now. If the County is going to work on criminal justice
issues, it has to be prudent about every thing.
Roy stated she supports the motion for now. She wants to see the big
picture in terms of all the changes the councilmembers want to make to the
proposed 2004 budget.
Desler stated the administration wants to follow through with the Council's
desires. If the Council anticipates beginning new efforts, the administration will be
more aggressive in asking the Council to consider the fiscal impact on the entire
organization. The administration will either ask for more expenditure authority or
ask the Council to adjust the work plan.
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McShane stated he has been frustrated on planning issues because of the
lack of staff support. Major planning issues are coming up.
Motion carried 4 -2 with Nelson and Crawford opposed and Fleetwood
absent,
Caskey- Schreiber moved to amend ASR 2004 -2467 as listed in ASR packet
page All to add the second deputy and associated costs to the drug task force for
whatever amount it takes. The growth rate has become astounding. They can't
send one officer to these kinds of operations and expect there to be the level of
safety for the officer. The Sheriff's Office was never structured to be a city police
force. Because of poor judgment in the past, the county has two urban growth
areas (UGAs) not connected to a city with a level of urban density. Some of their
most vulnerable population lives in Kendall /Paradise area because its affordable
housing in the county. It has the highest population of children. A basic need is for
everyone in the county to feel safe in their home environment. The Council is being
negligent by not having enough law enforcement.
Nelson stated they don't have the capacity to meet everyone's needs in the
community. That particular area voted down both sales tax increases that would
have helped their community. The Council has added capacity to the Sheriff's
Office in a responsible way, and is continuing to evaluate the needs. If the Council
adds large numbers of deputies, it is not doing the communities justice because
they won't be evaluating those needs with the dollars needed to support the
deputies and departments. He would rather put the effort into the volunteer
sheriff's force. Come back in 2004 to review the impact and see other sources that
become available. Put the one -tenth of one percent sales tax increase back to
voters instead of increasing staffing at this time.
Roy stated the Law and Justice Council recommended an increase of 25
deputies. They added eight deputies. Statistically, Whatcom County is one of the
lowest funded Sheriff's Offices in the state. She lives in one of these communities
that is experiencing a lot of problems. The number of meth labs are increasing at a
tremendous rate. There is a difference between having an urban level of service
and having no service at all. There are communities in the county that see almost
no service. The drug task force is a safety issue for the deputies and the
communities. The Sheriff's Office is understaffed. She doesn't like the argument
that a certain low economic community is being held hostage because of the way
they voted in a certain election. The community members are the victims. There is
a real problem in these communities.
Brenner stated they're talking about one of the most important essential
services. There are many other things the Council can cut to fund this life and
death issue. The Sheriff's request was for the bare minimum.
Caskey- Schreiber stated the meth problem needs to be addressed right now
because there is only a six percent recovery rate among addicts. People who use
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this drug will use it the rest of their lives. That's why it grows so quickly. Give the
Sheriff the tools necessary to eradicate the problem from the county before it takes
up everyone else's time.
Motion failed 3 -4 with Caskey- Schreiber, Roy, and Brenner in favor.
Nelson asked Desler about the reserve coordinator in ASR 2004 -2562 on ASR
packet page B6. Desler stated the administration did its best to balance all the
priorities for the County. The Executive found enough budget capacity in other
existing line items to support the reserve coordinator position.
Nelson moved to add ASR 2004 -2562 from the Sheriff's Office on ASR
packet page B6 in the amount of $46,822, and request that the administration to
work with the Sheriff to find the capacity for the position at this time.
Roy stated she doesn't want to approve something if the Sheriff will have to
decrease service, personnel, or equipment to fund this position. Make sure they
use the money that lapses each year.
Desler stated there is left over money budgeted for postage and travel, and
they can use a portion of a grant that will come in. The administration will reduce
some things in the budget that would not affect the operations and also use flexible
grant money. It will not increase the draw down on the general fund balance.
Fleetwood stated he would support the motion.
Brenner stated she wants to make sure they don't take any money away
from the Sheriff's budget, which doesn't have money to spare.
Motion carried 6 -0 with Caskey- Schreiber absent.
Nelson moved to amend ASR 2004 -2481 from the Jail on ASR packet page
A3 to increase funding from $12,000 to $18,000. Reinstate $6,000 for the Sheriff's
Office to outfit the used bus it just bought. He asked if that money was to make
the bus serviceable.
Elfo stated Corrections Chief Wendy Jones would arrive soon to answer that
question.
Nelson withdrew his motion.
Nelson asked about the staffing switch between the Water Resources Division
of the Public Works Department and Cooperative Extension for watershed
education.
Desler stated the Council approved an expansion of water resources activities
four or five years ago, including a public information officer. The Cooperative
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Extension officer and Public Works director saw that position moving to Cooperative
Extension at some point. Now, the Public Works Department still needs this
educator to complete some of its activities. The request was for a second person to
start working at Cooperative Extension. The Council can reduce the position in the
Public Works Department and transfer it over to Cooperative Extension, but he
doesn't recommend that.
Nelson stated that's his recommendation. He asked why the Council should
not transfer that position to Cooperative Extension. Desler stated that position is
still needed in the County.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape two, side A.)
Roy stated the Cooperative Extension Manager Craig MacConnell and Public
Works Director Jeff Monsen both agreed to this transfer.
Desler stated the position in the Water Resources division is now being
funded by a combination of flood and road monies. If moved to Cooperative
Extension, the position would have to be paid from the general fund.
Brenner stated she's not sure the position can be justified and legally funded
from the flood fee and road fund. It needs to be funded separately. The position
belongs at Cooperative Extension.
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated the agreement with Cooperative
Extension was to reinstate a broad educational position that existed at Cooperative
Extension. He eliminated a position in the Water Resources Division to do that
transfer. That takes care of the full -time equivalent (FTE) position. The monies for
the flood district will go from $4.1 million to $2.5 million. Even though he
extinguished the FTE, he couldn't send cash from the flood district to support the
position at Cooperative Extension. Therefore, the position request also requires a
general fund expense. It is a financial issue from the general fund.
Brenner asked why that flood money can't be moved to Cooperative
Extension if it can legally be used for this work. Monsen stated two things have
happened. First is a review of the focus of the flood district from general
government to specific water quality and quantity activities. Also, there will be a
reduction of revenue going into the flood district from $4 million to $2.5 million.
Additionally, $1.4 million that was going to the flood district will go to the general
fund instead. He has extinguished the FTE and reduced the flood district monies by
$1.4 million.
Nelson moved to amend ASR 2004 -2726 from Cooperative Extension on
ASR packet page Al in the full requested amount of $20,781 to fund the water
resource coordinator. Desler stated the administration doesn't have any
information on the position or what it would address.
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Nelson stated the position would be a placeholder, which the Council would
approve later when the service request is brought forward. Desler stated the
administration can or cannot go forward with it, once it's in the budget. The
emphasis on public safety is more important. There are other things they are
trying to do in the Public Works Department and Cooperative Extension for
watershed management.
Nelson stated they need watershed education in the community. Mr. Monsen
cut the FTE. He is concerned about not having any education.
Desler stated there is an education component to the nutrient management
and integrated pest management programs. ASR 2004 -2697 from the Public Works
Department on ASR packet page A14 includes a public education component. The
Executive proposes to focus activities on Lake Whatcom management because of
the high priority the Council has made that effort.
Roy stated she supports the educational aspect. Given the cutback in
resources given to water resources, look carefully at where the resources go. She's
not sure that Lake Whatcom is the only thing they want to talk about.
Brenner stated this is general fund money. Traditionally, the Cooperative
Extension has been doing a good job of providing that service. All they have to do
is take the $100,000 that was transferred from the general fund and transfer only
$50,000 to Cooperative Extension.
Motion carried 4 -2 with McShane and Crawford opposed and Caskey-
Schreiber absent.
Carey James, Undersheriff, stated the prisoner transport bus they had at the
beginning of the year kept breaking down. They found funds to buy a true
passenger bus for prisoner transport. They are in the process of retrofitting that
bus and adding it to the fleet. The Jail needs funds in its equipment rental and
revolve (ER &R) fund to cover expenses if there are problems with the bus or to
cover the bus when it does need to be replaced.
Wendy Jones, Chief of Corrections, stated $6,000 is the difference between
what was requested and what was allocated. The ER &R amount needed was
$18,000 for the new bus and $12,000 for the existing bus. The recommendation
from the Executive's Office was $6,000 too short.
Nelson moved to amend ASR 2004 -2481 from the Jail on ASR packet page
A3 to increase funding from $12,000 to $18,000. Reinstate $6,000 for the Sheriff's
Office to outfit the prisoner transport bus it just bought.
Crawford asked about the future of the existing bus. James stated it will be
a backup for the new bus. The old bus was breaking down a lot.
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Jones stated that once the new bus is online, they can get the existing bus
into the shop for repairs.
Motion carried 5 -1 with McShane opposed and Caskey- Schreiber
absent.
Brenner asked about funding for the drug court. She asked if they are
talking about eliminating drug court. Desler stated drug court will be fully
operational in 2004.
McShane stated the money for drug court will go away in 2005. He
anticipates using general fund money in the future to continue that program. He's
very worried about the program.
Brenner moved to eliminate ASR 2004 -2714 from the Parks Department on
ASR packet page A6 in the amount of $60,439 for the outdoor coordinator position.
Nelson stated the program is beneficial, but the County may not be able to
afford the position full time. Make it a half -time position. Don't eliminate the
position without getting more information.
Crawford stated the total outdoor recreation budget is $150,000. He asked if
Councilmember Brenner is proposing to cut the entire program or keep the program
going without the coordinator.
Brenner stated it's okay for Parks Department to do some of the services
without the coordinator. The County can't afford the position.
Roy asked if the program generates money and could be self- sustaining.
Desler stated it generates money, but not enough to be self- sustaining. In 2004,
the administration is going to work on getting that program to be self- sustaining.
That's why the Executive recommended the position as a one -time expense. They
will look at it carefully next year to allow the Parks Department time to raise an
amount to support the expenditures.
Brenner amended her motion to eliminate the entire outdoor program,
fund 6015.
Crawford stated that when the Council is going to increase the property tax,
it must demonstrate to the taxpayers that it is also making good expenditure
decisions. It's important that a few things be cut. He reluctantly supports the
motion. He encouraged the Parks Department to come forward this year with self -
sustaining alternatives. The Council is very open to pursuing an outdoor recreation
program that is self- sustaining.
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Roy stated she's not to the point of accepting the premise that they have to
cut non - essential services to fund essential services. She won't support the motion
at this point. She may support it at a later time.
Brenner stated her motion is not meant as an insult to the program. It's
about what the County can and can't afford. Some people who are paying property
taxes don't have time to take advantage of these kinds of programs because they
are trying to make ends meet. The criminal justice system is in crisis. The Council
has to make tough decisions.
Nelson stated he supports cutting the position to half time. Many times,
even the people who are low and middle income have opportunity to participate in
activities.
McShane stated it's clear that the Parks Department's new director and the
administration indicated they are going to review this program carefully in 2004.
Allow the new Parks Department director time to figure out how to make the
program more self- sustaining.
Motion failed 2 -5 with Brenner and Crawford in favor and Caskey-
Schreiber and Fleetwood absent.
Nelson moved to amend ASR 2004 -2714 from the Parks Department on
ASR packet page A6 for the outdoor coordinator position by cutting the position to a
.5 FTE position.
Motion failed due to a lack of Council majority, 3 -2 with Roy and
McShane opposed and Caskey- Schreiber and Fleetwood absent.
Brenner moved to eliminate the Teen Adventure Program. It competes
directly with the Boys and Girls Club. Transfer to the Boys and Girls Club the
$17,243 that the County spends in supplies, other services, and charges.
Desler stated the Teen Adventure Program is completely paid for from fees
and grants from Alcoa and others. It's not funded out of the general fund.
Brenner stated Alcoa would not be disagreeable providing the grant to a
private, non - profit organization.
Motion failed 1 -4 with Brenner in favor and Caskey- Schreiber and
Fleetwood absent.
Brenner moved to eliminate 4.5 FTE's from the Water Resources Division.
They are supposed to be at the end of the water resource inventory area (WRIA)
process. Desler stated those positions are embedded throughout the Public Works
Department.
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Crawford stated he supports the cut, but before he can do that he needs to
understand the functions that would be cut.
Roy stated she agreed with Councilmember Crawford.
McShane stated that May or June, when the Council decided on its budget
guidelines, was the time to say they wanted the Water Resources Division to be cut
in half, not now. The administration has come forward with a budget that reflects
the Council's guidelines. The Council pushed the issue to reduce the flood fee.
Ultimately, people will be paying a little less this year overall. That's reflective of
the Council's desire as well.
Nelson agreed with Councilmember McShane. He agreed with
Councilmember Brenner's intent, but he needs to know the programs that would be
impacted by such a cut. The water resource educator is important, but it was cut.
Work with the department and administration first.
Brenner stated the Council had no idea in May or June that there were such
problems and the extent of those problems. She had no idea how much the meth
lab problem is increasing. They have to start cutting somewhere. Start with the
positions, and then decide what programs get cut. This water resources project
ballooned so rapidly it's unwieldy and out of control.
Motion failed 1 -4 with Brenner in favor and Caskey- Schreiber and
Fleetwood absent.
(Clerks Note: End of tape two, side 8.)
Brenner stated it's well -known throughout the state that Whatcom County is
unable to handle criminal justice. The County should be ashamed. Everything else
the County does should be secondary to that.
Brenner moved to approve ASR 2004 -2616 from the Prosecutor's Office on
ASR packet page B5 in the amount of $89,153 to add an attorney to go along with
the increases in the Sheriff's Office.
Roy stated there are 157 law enforcement officers not in the Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff has 77 deputies. More than half of the law enforcement is not in the
Sheriff's Office. Have more support for and information on community policing.
She does not support the motion at this time unless someone can show her that the
small addition of two sheriff deputies will make a huge impact on the Prosecutor.
Brenner stated there is a bottleneck at the Prosecutor's Office already. The
reason for her motion is not because of the two additional sheriff deputies. People
are being discharged because they can't be prosecuted. They are already at a crisis
point.
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Nelson stated he would support the motion except he doesn't have
information on the effects to the whole system. They need revenue to support all
of the system.
Motion failed 1 -4 with Brenner in favor and Caskey- Schreiber and
Fleetwood absent.
Brenner moved to approve ASR 2004 -2559 from the Public Defender's
Office on ASR packet page B5 in the amount of $68,408 to add an attorney.
Motion failed 1 -4 with Brenner in favor and Caskey- Schreiber and
Fleetwood absent.
Brenner asked for information on the administrative services fund, which had
a balance of over $6 million at the end of the year last year. She asked if part of
that left over money is the tort and self- insurance. Desler stated it is. He would
provide a breakdown of all the components of the fund.
Roy moved to add ASR 2004 -2617 from the Planning and Development
Services Department on ASR packet page B4 in the amount of $12,500 to support
community advisory committees. These are large unincorporated areas the County
created and are bigger than many of the small cities. These people are trying to
work together to make community plans. They have no government or other way
to get together. This cost would cover the basics of pulling the community together
to have a plan. This is a minimal amount of money to support local planning
efforts. Find a way to fund the request.
Nelson asked if the communities would receive support at all if this isn't
funded.
Hal Hart, Planning and Development Services Director, stated he got the
communities through the planning process. He is concerned because each area is
taking on one big project. He doesn't have the resources to provide that kind of
assistance. If this item were approved, he would have a community group
appointed that would work with agencies on the community projects. The money
would be used for mailings to the entire community.
Nelson asked if this is a one -time request.
Crawford stated it is.
Motion carried 4 -1 with Crawford opposed Caskey- Schreiber and
Fleetwood absent.
Roy moved to add ASR 2004 -2679 from the Sheriff's Office on ASR packet
page B6 in the amount of $108,389 for laptops in sheriff vehicles. It's a safety
issue. This may not be as high a priority for the sheriff as it is for her. She hopes
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there is equipment money or grants that can only be spent on this type of thing.
She wants to keep the need at the forefront of everyone's minds.
Crawford stated it wouldn't need to be part of the budget if they got a grant
for the equipment.
Roy withdrew her motion.
Crawford moved to add ASR 2004 -2425 from the Treasurer's Office on ASR
packet page B8 in the amount of $12,416 for a .5FTE customer service support.
They are already paying the benefits for this person. The benefit the County will
receive for only $12,000 is very badly needed. The Treasurer recognizes the desire
to create efficiencies among staff to alleviate problems. The Treasurer is also
restricted by State law in terms of how she handles money and who on staff can
staff the counter. The Treasurer is limited in how she can arrange her staff work
assignments.
Nelson offered a friendly amendment that the position be funded from the
real estate excise tax (BEET).
Barbara Cory, Treasurer, stated she can't use the funding from REET directly,
but a one percent fee from REET for administration goes into the general fund.
Nelson asked how much of the one percent they are using for REET
administration. Cory stated they aren't using the entire amount. The County
collected $180,000 this year. She estimates they use about $100,000 in support of
BEET.
Nelson withdrew his friendly amendment.
Brenner stated she would support the motion.
Motion carried 4 -1 with McShane opposed and Caskey- Schreiber and
Fleetwood absent.
Desler submitted technical corrections (on file). He will add the amended
items to the technical corrections and submit the changes to the Council and the
public before the public hearing.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
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These minutes were approved by Council on November 18 , 2003.
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Sam Crawford, Councilmember
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