HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 23 20011
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
October 23, 2001
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Committee Chair Sam
Crawford in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present:
Marlene Dawson
Absent:
Robert Imhof
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2001 BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 10
(AB2001 -330)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated part of this is arranging for the
funding that will come from the County, the City of Bellingham, and Water District
10 for the Lake Whatcom mercury study. At this point, Water District 10 has
approved its funding. The County is still waiting for the City of Bellingham to take
formal action later this year. He asked that the Council continue to support the
revenue and expenditure parts of that budget. The other item has to do with
appropriating money to support funding for a Medicaid outreach program in
cooperation with St. Joseph's Hospital and the State Department of Social and
Health Services (DSHS). For the remainder of this year, the $11,476 is what the
administration is seeking. That amount would be supplemented with grants and
contributions from St. Joseph's Hospital.
He also requested that Consent Agenda item number four be withdrawn so
the County Executive can review the issue a bit further. Approve the supplemental
budget, but withdraw consideration of the contract at this point.
Dawson moved to recommend approval of the ordinance.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE ANNUAL FERRY RATES (AB2001 -195)
Dick Prieve, Assistant Director of Operations, stated he has been in contact
with the Lummi Indian Transportation Committee (LITC). The administration has
not had an opportunity to present these proposals to the community. The
administration does not want the ferry rate discussion to interfere with the report
and the alternatives. He would like to put this off until the end of this year or until
next year. Give him time next month to have a meeting on Lummi Island with the
citizens.
Dawson moved to postpone any increase in ferry rates.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/23/2001, Page 1
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Crawford thanked the staff for coming up with the proposed rate information.
His only reservation is if they need to wait until next year. This should not get in
the way of the Charette report. He asked if this will be done in this budget cycle.
Prieve stated he would like to come back by December, but there are not that many
more meetings scheduled before the end of the year. He would come back to
amend the fee schedule.
Desler stated it doesn't have to be done in the budget cycle. There is about
$130,000 difference in the projected revenue. The longer they put off the decision
to adjust the fee schedule, they lose $10,000 per month. Staff advocates getting
more support from the public so they can heal any wounds that may develop if they
do this too quickly.
Crawford stated it is important to handle this as soon as possible.
Prieve stated he might be able to get it back by the December 11 meeting.
Dawson stated she would amend her motion to postpone until December 11.
Motion carried unanimously.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND QS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. TO
PROVIDE FUNDING TO REPLACE THE ACCLAIM CLIENT
REGISTRATION/ BILLING SYSTEM IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF
$36,050 (AB2001 -333)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the County is trying to meet all
the requirements of the State Examiner's Office regarding how the County
processes and supports its billing systems for very complicated health services in
the Health Department. After working on this for a number of months, Terry Hinz
and Regina Delahunt have provided a recommendation to match the requirements
to ensure that the County has good internal controls and an effective billing system
for the services that it offers.
Terry Hinz, Assistant Director, stated this is the promise to the State Auditor
to put a system in place for medical billing that functions. This is to replace a
system that is not working. Last year, they paid about $42,000 to support the
current system. Support on the new system will be $8,000 or $9,000 annually.
Over a couple of years, they are going to make the money back through support
costs alone.
Crawford stated fifty percent of the cost is coming from the State. The
remainder is included in the current budget.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/23/2001, Page 2
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Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND DSHS- MEDICAID OUTREACH TO
PROVIDE FUNDING TO ENTER INTO A SUB - CONTRACT WITH THE
OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE MEDICAID OUTREACH
ACTIVITIES TO ASSIST LOW- INCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN TO
APPLY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH STATE FUNDED
PROGRAMS, IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $39,848 (AB2001 -334)
Crawford stated this program is fully funded from the State and St. Joseph's
Hospital.
Dawson moved to recommend approval. She asked if this is only for families
with children.
Terry Hinz, Assistant Director, stated it is only for families.
Dawson asked how they would advertise. Hinz stated the Opportunity
Council would work with community groups. It is a one -year project. Some
advertising will be done.
Crawford stated this is a great thing.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL TO
PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE LOW- INCOME FAMILIES WITH
HEALTH INSURANCE APPLICATIONS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,800
(AB2001 -335)
Terry Hinz, Assistant Director, stated this is the contract to put the previous
project into place. The County would contract with the Opportunity Council to do
the work.
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
JOINT EFFORT BY WHATCOM COUNTY, WATER DISTRICT #10 AND
THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/23/2001, Page 3
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SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND EXPONENT TO PROVIDE FOR A
MERCURY SOURCE INVESTIGATION FOR LAKE WHATCOM, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $97,000 (AB2001 -336)
This item was withdrawn from the agenda.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ROBERT R. BRAUN,
JR. OF BRAUN CONSULTING GROUP, TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP
FOR PROFESSIONAL LABOR NEGOTIATOR SERVICES PURSUANT TO
COUNTY CODE 2.08, IN THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF $46,200 (AB2001-
337)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the County has had an
agreement with Mr. Halvorson for 12 years to serve as the key contact in labor
negotiations with multiple labor groups. Recently, the administration took the
entire service out to a request for proposals (RFP) process. As a result, the
administration recommends a change. They have a competent negotiator at a
potentially lower price. As a result of the consideration of a group of County
management personnel, the recommendation from County Executive Pete Kremen
and Human Resources Manager Karen Goens is to approve the contract. The
amount is within the amount budgeted.
Dawson moved to recommend approval. New blood is good.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Sam Crawford, Committee Vice -Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/23/2001, Page 4