HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 20 1998WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
PROPOSED 1999 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET
November 20, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 2:30 p.m. by Committee Chair Marlene Dawson in the
Council Committee, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present: Absent:
Connie Hoag None
L. Ward Nelson
Other Council Members Present:
Kathy Sutter
Barbara Brenner
Staff Present:
Dave Wareing, Executive's Office
Brad Bennett, ADS Finance
1. DISCUSSION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S 1999 RECOMMENDED BUDGET
Nelson questioned whether the compensation survey was an ongoing expense. Bennett
stated that was in error.
Nelson questioned whether the $10,000 for the starling program is separate from the
horticulture program. Bennett stated is separate.
Nelson questioned whether the $22,000 was for the mental health evaluator at the Jail.
Bennett stated it was deleted from the Executive's recommended budget. Administration deleted
it from the recommendation because of a lack of money. Wareing explained reinstating it would
be left for the Council's decision.
Nelson questioned the administration's decision not to fund the $10,000 roof repair at the
Annex. Wareing explained it was a one -time expenditure that could be done in a year or two.
Nelson asked about the item in the Planning and Development budget in the amount of
$1,000 for a cell phone replacement. Wareing explained this was for three cell phones with a
radio capability.
Nelson asked about funding for Code enforcement staff. He believed they approved two
positions. He questioned the request. Wareing stated Planning and Development initially
requested 3 FTE's, for a total of two clerks and two enforcement personnel. With the addition of
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 1
I the two staff for the agriculture nutrient management, it was determined those positions would be
2 seasonal and give Planning and Development the capacity they needed to deal with enforcement
3 issues. They asked that the clerical position be funded. They provided fee increases to the fee
4 schedule to pay for the clerical position. Administration had not recommended the clerical
5 position or the fee increases.
6
7 Nelson questioned whether the request for an additional vehicle was related to the request
8 for additional code enforcement staff. Wareing stated the positions have been funded. There are
9 now three code enforcement positions, two for agriculture nutrient enforcement.
10
11 Hoag stated the appropriation for the agriculture nutrient enforcement officers included a
12 vehicle. This vehicle request was for a small economy car to run back and forth between the
13 Northwest Annex and the Courthouse. It was not tied to the enforcement officers.
14
15 Nelson questioned what SR View is under the Public Works budget, line 10895 in the
16 County Road Fund. Wareing explained this system allows the County engineer to video map all
17 the roads in the County.
18
19 Nelson questioned the item for Child/Family Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) management in
20 the Superior Court budget for $100,000. Wareing explained that is Guardian Ad Litem services.
21 It enables a transition in the future for the GAL system to be dealt with differently.
22
23 N.F. Jackson, Superior Court Clerk, explained they are spending $100,000 a year
24 currently on per hour GAL's. They believe they can, over several years, recruit and train
25 volunteers called Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). They can get a larger pool of
26 GAL's, and cap the GAL costs. There are no new dollars. They are requesting an endorsement
27 of a program change, to transition from contract to supported volunteers.
28
29 Nelson stated the revenue had not increased since 1993, yet the service demands have
30 risen substantially. He questioned how they should, in the future, meet unmet needs they
31 currently have and for those that will occur during the year.
32
33 Hoag stated administration did an excellent job of prioritizing the proposals. Even with
34 the items that need to be funded, there was still money left over to cover additional items. There
35 was also additional one -time monies left over. They are adding $1,750 to the cash flow reserve.
36 Additional funds are also available from increasing land use fines, which would give extra
37 revenue and help with enforcement issues in the area. She was basically happy with the budget.
38 At this point, they are not looking at a major crisis.
39
40 Dawson concurred they have to balance the wants with the needs. They identified areas
41 where they can achieve cost savings in the area, such as closing down some election sites and
42 requiring parents to pay court costs for their juveniles.
43
44 Dawson moved to delete the $150,000 for the courthouse weapons screening.
45
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 2
I Hoag suggested reducing it to $85,000 and use the remaining to put courthouse weapons
2 screening on the two floors that have the courts. N.F. Jackson stated the courtrooms are on four
3 floors.
4
5 Wareing recommended removing the entryway screening for the south entrance that was
6 included in the $150,000. He explained the door is caught by the wind and it would cost around
7 $50,000 to change the entryway. He suggested they purchase one x -ray machine and place it at
8 the elevators and move forward with the electronic lock system for ten doors.
9
10 Dawson asked about the number of incidents with weapons. Wareing stated the
11 courthouse is the one place the aggressor and victim come together. They are able to protect the
12 victims in some cases by taking them out a side door. There has to be added measure of
13 protection to deal with those issues.
14
15 Jackson stated they don't know how many times weapons are in the building. They once
16 counted the number of times people felt in fear, which was 2 %2 times per week.
17
18 Judge Michael Moynihan spoke on behalf of himself, Judge Mura, and Judge Nichols.
19 They feel the County needs another Superior Court judge far more than they need security in the
20 courthouse. They would much rather have a fourth superior court judge instead of spending the
21 money for security. The security is needed most on the second floor. It isn't as necessary on the
22 third or fourth floors. The second floor is the location for all the domestic hearings. If there are
23 going to be any problems, it will be on the second floor. The next greatest need would be on the
24 fifth floor. The courts are overloaded.
25
26 Sutter questioned whether the County has to ask the State legislature to authorize another
27 judge position. Moynihan stated that if it is approved by the Council, the legislature will
28 approve it.
29
30 Sutter explained the most cost - effective location for security would be at the elevators,
31 and they could put the rest of the funds toward providing a fourth judge.
32
33 Hoag asked about the cost to create a fourth Superior Court Judge position. Moynihan
34 stated there is an empty room on the fifth floor. He did not know the cost to remodel that room.
35 The cost of the judge, court reporter, and three or four clerks associated with maintaining that
36 position would be around $221,000 annually.
37
38 Hoag questioned the basis on which they say they need another judge. Moynihan stated
39 they are very behind on all their cases. A five or six day trial would be scheduled in the year
40 2000. People are getting bumped all the time. The juvenile cases are very behind.
41
42 Dawson moved to delete the courthouse weapons screening entirely. Motion carried
43 2 —1 with Hoag opposed.
44
45 Wareing explained the cost of enabling the security screening systems. The systems need
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 3
I to be available for high -risk cases. They could be staffed with Sheriff or Corrections personnel
2 who are trained.
4 Dawson moved to delete the compensation survey for $25,000. Motion carried 2 -1
5 with Nelson opposed.
6
7 Nelson stated they are constantly getting questions about labor costs in other areas.
9 Dawson stated it is the responsibility of the current Human Resources staff to find out
10 that information. The information is readily available.
11
12 Hoag stated the proposal was for the County to contract out for this study. She felt the
13 current staff was highly capable of doing this without any extra money. Wareing stated it is a
14 matter of workload and access. There are firms that do this type of thing. They have a lot of the
15 information that can be accessed quickly. Some of the local firms will not provide the
16 information. Their pay levels are usually kept confidential and it is very difficult to find out.
17 They will give out the information to study companies. They are continually being challenged
18 by the Union on parity. The employees don't feel as if they are being fairly compensated. The
19 Human Resources Department does not have the staffing to call and make these inquiries. The
20 comprehensive compensation survey would allow for making all positions level.
21
22 Nelson stated the company he works for doesn't give out employee salary information.
23 Companies don't give this information out freely.
24
25 Hoag stated companies might not state what their existing employees are being paid, but
26 it is not difficult to call an employment agency or a large company that has openings to
27 determine what their vacancies are for and the kind of money being offered. Wareing stated the
28 HR Department doesn't have the staff time to do that type of a study.
29
30 Dawson moved to delete funding for the Festival of Music for $20,000, Mt. Baker
31 Theatre for $20,000, and Whatcom Symphony for $10,000.
32
33 Hoag recommended giving each $5,000 and the money be transferred from the Business
34 and Convention Funds. She would not support Dawson's motion. Wareing stated City of
35 Bellingham's budget for the Convention and Visitor's Bureau for 1999 is projected at $190,000.
36 The County's contribution would be $70,000. In 1998, revenue generated from the Hotel /Motel
37 tax was $494,940. In 1999 it is projected to be about $540,000 in Bellingham. The County
38 would generate approximately $80,000.
39
40 Pete Kremen, County Executive, stated the City of Bellingham has budgeted
41 approximately $45,000 for the Festival of Music, $200,000 for the Mt. Baker Theater, and
42 $15,000 for the Symphony.
43
44 Nelson explained this impacts citizens and it affects families, the health and welfare of
45 the community, and the community needs avenues for cultural events. He was opposed to
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 4
I cutting these out of the budget. He would entertain a different amount. This should come out of
2 the Hotel /Motel fund instead of the General fund.
3
4 Sutter asked about the County's share of Hotel/Motel tax. Kremen stated it is $85,000.
5
6 Dawson explained she felt the money would serve better for the parks as the community
7 program. Wareing explained that the money needed to be used to promote tourism.
8
9 Hoag explained that if the money was taken out of the Convention and Visitor's Bureau
10 budget, then they do have all of the $50,000 available in the General fund to spend for the other
11 items.
12
13 Dawson withdrew her motion.
14
15 Hoag moved to take $15,000 from the Convention and Visitor's Bureau budget to
16 fund the Festival of Music for $5,000, the Mt. Baker Theatre for $5,000, and the Whatcom
17 Symphony for $5,000 from the Hotel/Motel tax.
18
19 (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A)
20
21 Motion carried 2 -1 with Nelson opposed.
22
23 Dawson moved to reduce the Domestic Violence Commission budget by $13,000,
24 leaving a balance of $26,000. That amount includes the supplies and equipment.
25
26 Hoag explained the possibility that a half -time person might be enough. She
27 recommended reducing it to $20,000. That would fund a half -time person and all the supplies.
28
29 Sutter explained one gets what one pays for. This is a huge program. By hiring a half
30 time person, it could take 2 -3 years to get it up and running. A full time person would get it
31 going sooner. They contract for a full -time person for one year to get the program up and
32 running. At the end of the year, the Council could look at again to evaluate the need for
33 additional funding.
34
35 Brenner would like to see it contracted out and get the program going.
36
37 Dawson stated she met with the Task Force and the current request is for $52,000. The
38 City of Bellingham and the County would each contribute $26,000. That would allow for a
39 contract for a full -time staff person.
40
41 Motion carried 2 -1 with Hoag opposed.
42
43 Hoag moved to delete the Noxious Weed Board Coordinator increase of $21,946. If
44 someone wants money added to their budget, then they need to justify the need. This was not
45 justified. There are adequate funds and resources to accomplish the job.
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 5
Sutter stated she recalled a conversation in which the people are severely overworked and
need more help.
Dawson stated her impression was that they were doing more mailings to property
owners in order to achieve compliance, and requiring fewer staff in the field. That would
increase the coordinator workload. She agreed the case was not made for an increase in funding.
Brenner supported the motion. They have to decide to hold the line. This is not as high a
priority as other things even though they do a great job.
Nelson questioned whether they have cut the position in half previously. The Board is
required for agricultural concerns. Wareing stated that in the past they had a full -time
coordinator and a half -time field staff. The coordinator position was reduced to half time. They
now need more coordinator time. They currently have a full -time field person funded in part by
the Road Fund.
Nelson stated that not funding this would be a step backwards. They would be creating
more problems in the agricultural community.
Hoag stated the decision is not to increase the funding. They currently have sufficient
resources to do what they do.
Motion carried 2 -1 with Nelson opposed.
Hoag moved to delete the additional overtime for the jail in the amount of $40,000, and
add one correction officer for the jail at $42,000.
Dawson could not support because this is a management issue and the department needs
the latitude to make their personnel decisions.
Brenner explained the department already has overtime allocated to them. This is an
increase.
Hoag explained this included adding the correction officer for the jail. It is less
expensive to have another person paid at straight time instead of paying overtime and
overworking the staff.
Sutter questioned whether Hoag's proposal included the costs of hiring, training, and
benefits.
staff.
Wareing explained the need for the extra overtime funding is to spread it over the entire
Hoag stated she would reduce her request to remove $20,000, reflecting the amount in
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 6
I the line item. The message from the department was that they were understaffed. Their
2 overtime costs are currently $204,000, which means there is a lot of time the personnel need to
3 cover for. Wareing stated it might be better for this proposal to be looked at by the department to
4 determine if it serves the County better to hire the positions and drop the overtime funding.
5
6 Deane Sandell, County Undersheriff, explained it is highly unlikely that, when they need
7 overtime, that one extra person will be on duty. The overtime is to cover staffing from court
8 details, disability leaves, sick leave, etc. The $200,000 is not enough for the overtime to
9 properly staff the jail.
10
11 Motion was held pending additional information submitted by the jail. Hoag stated she
12 would bring her other reduction to the full Council.
13
14 Hoag moved to add an Endangered Species Act (ESA) planner and a secretary for the
15 ESA planner.
16
17 Dawson questioned whether the County had $200,000 for spending on ESA issues.
18
19 Hoag stated that funding was for something different. The money is available for these
20 positions.
21
22 Sutter explained the effort for ESA compliance was just not a County issue, and needed
23 to be funded multi jurisdictionally.
24
25 Hoag explained that the County has to address ESA and somebody needs to be here to
26 lead the County's part of it.
27
28 Nelson asked what the objective of this individual would be.
29
30 Hoag explained this person would set up the strategy, read the material, meet with
31 departments, and do other activities. Kremen stated a similar position was included within the
32 proposed Water Plan that was made several months ago.
33
34 Hoag stated it was not in the budget. That position was for a Water Director to address
35 different aspects of water, including watershed planning. Her proposal was specific to ESA.
36 Kremen stated the Water Plan included an individual that would be devoted solely to ESA. It is
37 included in the budget for the Water Plan.
38
39 Hoag stated she wanted to fund the ESA portion of the Water Plan through the 1999
40 budget. It is not included. Kremen disagreed and stated they need to approach the water issues
41 in an adhesive, coordinated way. Administration's recommendation was that the Council adopt a
42 coordinated, strategic, and comprehensive Water Plan, rather than do it piecemeal.
43
44 Sutter agreed. They have to also take a hard look at filling some of the positions through
45 the private sector by contractual arrangements. To get things started, they need to fund the Water
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 7
I Coordinator for the County. Until they have a scope of work, they can't fill the positions. She
2 questioned whether the Water Coordinator was in the budget currently.
3
4 Kremen stated the proposed comprehensive plan is separate from the budget they are
5 working on at this time.
6
7 Nelson explained he could not support the motion. This is not the solution to the
8 problem at this time.
9
10 Hoag stated they need to respond to the ESA listing now. They cannot wait for the long -
11 term process.
12
13 Motion failed 1 -2 with Hoag in favor.
14
15 Hoag moved to add a .5 FTE Clerk II to on going expenses and extra help to one -
16 time expenses in the County Council office. The extra help would be to catch up on the
17 Comprehensive Plan backlog and the .5 FTE Clerk II would be to address the everyday
18 tasks they are not able to do.
19
20 Dawson explained that many departments are backlogged and need extra help. She
21 cannot support it.
22
23 Hoag stated the Council office was the only department to propose a cut. Adding the two
24 positions would not go above what was cut. Wareing clarified there was a reduction, not a cut.
25
26 Nelson stated he didn't know that the Council was backlogged this far. He would like
27 clarification from the Clerk of the Council.
28
29 Dawson was uncomfortable when things that were not in the original budget are brought
30 forward. Hoag explained this is a problem. She talked to the Clerk regarding minutes and
31 turnover time.
32
33 Motion was held for more information.
34
35 Dawson moved to hire one FTE position for a one -year program regarding the work
36 crew for Juvenile Court Probation.
37
38 (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side B)
39
40 Dawson stated the money allocated for the work crew included a full -time and a half -
41 time position, plus a new truck. However, they are willing to use a used truck and get along with
42 one FTE, with the help of a Parks Department employee.
43
44 Wareing stated they funded that for about $60,000. The Jail has been able to get used
45 vans from the Whatcom Transportation Authority, but now everyone knows about the
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 8
availability of those vans and they are becoming scarcer. They may be able to refurbish a
County vehicle. Administration would recommend the proposal.
Dawson amended her motion to for the amount of $60,000.
Motion carried unanimously.
Dawson moved to approve the Record Specialist in the amount of $31,484 and the
Jail Case Manager in the amount of $22,000 to the Jail's budget.
Motion carried unanimously.
Dawson moved to add $10,000 for the Starling program.
Motion carried unanimously.
Dawson moved to approve the adjustment for Planning and Development Services
to the Permit Plan 2.5 Upgrade is supposed to be $21,126.
Motion carried unanimously.
Dawson moved to approve the adjustment for Planning and Development Services
to the Permit Plan Maintenance and Insurance to a total of $7,696.
Motion carried unanimously.
Dawson moved to add the funding for the unfunded mandate regarding data entry
on domestic violence protective orders in the amount of $47,359.
Hoag moved to change to $32,359 and fund only 1 FTE instead of 1.5 FTE.
Nelson questioned why the administration did not include this in their recommendations.
Wareing stated it came down to prioritizing. They recommend it, but don't have the money to
fund it.
Dawson accepted the friendly amendment.
Hoag asked if the County will be approaching the State for reimbursement since it is an
unfunded mandate. Wareing stated counties are becoming more aggressive at doing that. They
are doing that with the Becca Bill. If they don't fund this in the next legislative session,
Whatcom County will ask the legislative representatives to bring this to the legislature's
attention.
Motion carried for 1 FTE at $32,359.
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 9
Dawson moved to include the 12th attorney position for the Public Defender in the
amount of $50,692.
Hoag stated she did not want the added position. They still have not sifted through the
reductions in the courts. For this year, she supported only funding the added 11th attorney. Next
year they can address it.
Wareing stated they were willing to recommend it be funded on a one -time basis for the
year. There is a certain amount of workload that has not been reduced.
Jackson stated the net effect of misdemeanors being shifted to Bellingham is still sifting
through. However, the felony caseload and juvenile caseload has skyrocketed. Those are all
Public Defender cases.
Wareing stated the problem is with Becca Bill. The County is paying for all the
juveniles. They are going to try and make the parents pay for the cases, however it would
increase the court time. Other jurisdictions are finding they have to add staff to recoup the
money from the parents.
Hoag stated she would rather the parents be responsible for proving they are indigent. If
they cannot do that, they should hire their own private attorney. The County should not be
responsible for providing the defense, and then trying to recoup the costs. Jackson stated that
was not legally permissible.
Hoag stated it is not a State law. It is something that has been interpreted.
Jackson stated case law is the law of the land.
Hoag stated she wanted to see the case law documented.
Motion failed 1 -2 with Dawson in favor.
Dawson moved to approve the Auditor's request for $10,000 for extra help in
Elections.
Motion carried unanimously.
Dawson moved to change the funded amount to $1,000 for the Horticulture Pest and
Disease Board.
Nelson stated it was a one -time funding of $14,180.
Hoag would like to amend the amount to $2,000. They said they didn't want any funds.
They only wanted the authority to address the problem. The Council gave them that.
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 10
I Dawson stated the Board said they would be coming back with a funding request.
3 Hoag stated she wanted $1,000 of the $2,000 to be in a revolving fund.
4
5 Nelson stated he supported the one -time funding in the amount of $14,180. When they
6 get people who are willing to provide assistance and donate their time to help government solve
7 problems, then the County should assist them in that effort.
9 Craig MacConnell, Cooperative Extension, stated the request was to go to $5,700 for
10 extra help and the remaining to go toward the education component of the program. The
11 Council's ordinance emphasized education, which would take some resources. The Council
12 should also considered other agricultural issues and put this into perspective with the Starling
13 Program and the Noxious Weed Board. There has been additional detection of Apple Maggot in
14 the County. What he heard during meetings was that the apple growers offered to pay for
15 funding themselves in 1998 since there was not time to request funding and get appropriation.
16
17 Hoag stated she had a discussion with the Board members that were not on tapes. They
18 said they did not want funding, they just wanted the authority. However, she amended her
19 suggested to include another $1,000 for educational brochures.
20
21 Dawson amended her proposed amount to $5,000 in a revolving fund.
22
23 Motion for $5,000 in a revolving fund carried 2 -1 with Nelson opposed.
24
25 Dawson moved to add emergency gas supply shutoff valves to the Administrative
26 Services - Facilities Management budget.
27
28 Motion carried unanimously.
29
30 Hoag moved to add John Mink as a research assistant for the Courts.
31
32 Wareing stated they brought this additional request in late, but they support it. It would
33 be added to the Superior Court extra help line. It is noted on the technical budget correction
34 document provided to the committee. It is included in the budget they are bringing forward to
35 the Council. The amount is for $5,959.
36
37 Motion carried unanimously.
38
39 Sutter stated she would like to discuss with the committee the Economic Development
40 Council (EDC). Wareing stated their request was for $6,000 but was increased to $15,000 in a
41 supplemental, which was approved by the Council. The current request is not an increase. It is
42 the status quo amount.
43
44 Sutter stated she would like to see an amount set aside since the EDC is taking over the
45 Economic Development Plan. It was a plan originally written to enable the County to get
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 11
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federal funding. It is supposed to be updated annually. It has not been done since 1994. The
document is not a useful tool to the County. She has been working with a group to update that
plan. She asked administration to require the EDC to spend a specified amount of the $15,000
toward that effort. In addition, she wanted the administration to look into an additional amount
for the County's share in that funding. They will be asking other jurisdictions to participate.
Hoag asked who did the original plan.
Sutter stated it was done by the Fourth Corner Economic Development Group, which is
now the EDC.
Hoag moved to add $360 to add an additional County line to the switchboard.
Motion carried unanimously.
Hoag moved to add $10,000 for cameras to the Jail budget as a one -time expense.
Motion carried unanimously.
Hoag moved to add $500 per Council member for additional tuition and travel expense
and cellular phone calls to constituents. Some of the Council members live far from the
courthouse and use their cellular phone time to call constituents and call staff. The increase
would be to a total per member of $1,500.
Sutter stated she had already used up all of her travel budget, and she had not even
submitted all her expenses. It is getting more expensive to do the County's business.
Hoag stated there are functions she would have liked to have attended, but didn't because
she didn't have the money in her budget.
Nelson stated every department has similar needs for additional travel and training. This
is a tight budget. They are trying to hold the line.
Dawson stated it is a want, not a need.
Nelson stated he would rather put the money in the Horticultural Pest and Disease Board.
Wareing stated people sometimes don't know where to call in the County, so they call the
Council members. It is reasonable to compensate the Council members in doing the public's
business.
Nelson stated all the departments are doing the public's business.
Motion failed 1 -2 with Hoag in favor.
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 12
I Hoag moved to include proximity door locks on the courthouse exterior and on the
2 stairs for $40,000 as a one -time expenditure. Wareing stated there is adequate money for the
3 expense.
4
5 Motion carried unanimously.
6
7 Hoag moved to reduce microfilming by 1 camera for a total of 3 and a reduction of
8 $62,500.
9
10 Wareing recommended they reduce the amount by $50,000. They would buy one less
11 camera and see where they get with that.
12
13 Hoag accepted Wareing's recommendation.
14
15 Sutter questioned whether they could be leased. Wareing stated it would cost more.
16
17 Nelson asked about the timeframe for microfilming. Wareing stated it would be on
18 going. They couldn't do everything in one year. With four good cameras and the people to run
19 them, they could get the backlog. There is a backlog of 12,000 boxes. It would be a matter of
20 years.
21
22 Motion carried unanimously.
23
24 Hoag moved to reduce the ER &R contingency fund to $50,000. She was concerned
25 that the County has too many vehicles in the fleet. She requested each department identify their
26 vehicles and for what they are being used. That didn't happen. If they use this as a contingency
27 fund for construction equipment and the ferry, then $50,000 would be sufficient. If someone
28 requests more money for a vehicle, it should come through the supplemental budget process. At
29 that time, the Council could address whether another vehicle in another department could be
30 used as a substitute. She discussed this with Brad Bennett, Finance Manager, about how that
31 could be accomplished. They could do a budget proviso that specified the contingency fund
32 monies not be used other than for the construction equipment and the ferry.
33
34 Wareing stated the administration would oppose that recommendation. These are
35 operational funds to operate the fleet. Bringing the issues through the supplemental process
36 would become incredibly cumbersome. There is a better way to look at the fleet. They reduced
37 the fleet a year or two ago. The County needs to have the departments take a hard look at their
38 vehicle needs.
39
40 Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated the funds have historically been for
41 miscellaneous activities that deal with unexpected repairs and replacements throughout the year
42 for a variety of equipment. It is money budgeted for expenditures.
43
44 (Clerk's Note: End of tape two, side A)
45
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 13
I Motion had no support.
2
3 Nelson moved to add seasonal staff to the Parks Department budget in the amount
4 of 511,749.
5
6 Motion carried.
7
8 Nelson asked about the boat patrol increase. Sandell explained this might be the
9 mechanism to transfer the year -end balance of the boating fund on to the next money. The
10 boating funds are dedicated and cannot roll into the General fund.
11
12 Nelson stated it is listed under cost center 2960, under Capitol, pages 21 and 24.
13 Wareing stated it is the Sheriffs expenditure authority to use that money to pay for part of the
14 boat storage building.
15
16 Bennett explained that within the General fund, this money is restricted for use in the
17 boat program.
18
19 Nelson also asked about the High Intensity Drug Traffic Act (HIDTA) grant. Sandell
20 explained this is new money from the federal government from a grant. This is the authority to
21 spend the money. The grant money has already been received.
22
23 Hoag asked whether there is an increase of the rental for the County morgue. Wareing
24 stated he would pull the contract and see exactly what that the increase is for. There are some
25 increases in the contract that have been negotiated and they don't have any control over.
26
27 Brenner asked about Council Member Brown's request and who is going to respond. She
28 asked for a table that shows the various County departments and various FTE allocations from
29 1995 through 1999, the number hours worked by part-time and temporary personnel that don't
30 show up. She asked that Brown's requests be addressed by Monday.
31
32 Nelson explained that the budgets are in the Council office's library and contain that
33 information.
34
35 Hoag moved to reduce the one Prosecutor from the Prosecutor's Office in order to
36 approve the two requested clerks from the Superior Court. It is currently the prosecutors that are
37 doing the workload from Superior Court. There has been and will continue to be a reduced
38 workload due to the transfer of cases back to Bellingham.
39
40 Wareing stated they would be hesitant to reduce the Prosecutor's staff because they are
41 prosecuting criminal cases that do exist.
42
43 Jackson stated the Public Defender, the Prosecutor, and the Probation officers having
44 been doing their own clerking.
45
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 14
I Wareing stated that is not a good thing. They need a clerk. One recent tragedy occurred
2 because of a Prosecutor trying to do clerking, and a message was confused.
4 Kathy Walker, Prosecutor's Office, stated the prosecutors are filling out the pleading
5 forms in the courtroom, but they are not doing the clerk function. They are creating the
6 disposition forms.
8 Motion failed 1 -2 with Hoag in favor.
9
10 Hoag moved that the vehicle requested by Planning and Development Services be
11 transferred from the Health Department.
12
13 Chuck Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, stated they have less vehicles
14 than staff who need to go out into the field and work. They have 20 vehicles and they are
15 averaging 9,000 and 10,000 miles per year on each vehicle.
16
17 Hoag stated they need to make more use of a pool of cars. She has seen a lot of vehicles
18 parked in the parking lot. Benjamin stated people share vehicles. Since the consolidation, they
19 have given up three vehicles. They are already pooling their vehicle use within the department.
20
21 Motion has no support.
22
23 Hoag moved to remove the traffic engineer request from the Public Works budget and the
24 .5 clerk II for clerical work in the ER &R. The justification was not there for either position.
25
26 Monsen stated he could provide information about what is not being accomplished due to
27 the lack of clerical staff in ER &R.
28
29 Nelson asked why they needed the additional traffic engineer. Monsen stated the
30 manager is being forced to choose between proactive traffic safety activities and development
31 review. They are not as proactive in traffic risk management as they would like to be. In the
32 development process, under the concurrency requirements of Growth Management, the traffic
33 engineer must determine whether or not a development meets the concurrency standard. These
34 would be paid for out of the Road fund.
35
36 Hoag amended her motion to leave the request for the traffic engineer, but remove the
37 clerk II position for ER &R. Monsen stated every expenditure in ER &R is a result of another
38 fund in the County paying for it. ER &R does not generate its own money. The cost of the clerk
39 would be covered by the services it provides to all the funds in the County. It would not be paid
40 for out of the General fund. 2/3 of all equipment rental expenses are covered by Road funds.
41 The General fund would pay for 5% to 10% of the cost. The remaining cost would be paid for
42 by the Road, Flood, and Solid Waste funds.
43
44 Nelson left the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
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Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 15
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Motion failed 1 -1 with Dawson opposed.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Marlene Dawson, Council Member
Finance Committee — Budget, 11/20/98, Page 16