HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 27 19981
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
October 27, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Committee Chair Marlene Dawson in the
Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present: Absent:
Ward Nelson None
Connie Hoag
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1998 BUDGET, REQUEST #9 (AB98 -367)
Dawson read off the lists of the five requested items. She stated that there is an amended
version of the ordinance, which includes a sixth item. That added item is a transfer of funding
from the general fund into the County Council fund for reimbursement of expenses paid to
Owens, Davies, and Mackie.
Hoag moved to recommend item #2 of the amended version.
Hoag questioned, regarding item #I of the amended version, why they have to switch the
funds. Dana Brown - Davis, Clerk of the Council, stated that there is a $50,000 contract, but only
$24,000 in the account to pay on that contract. This will add the amount into the account.
Dawson stated that services have already been rendered. They've had lots of success
with the attorney.
Nelson moved to recommend item #I of the amended version.
Regarding item #3 of the amended version, Dawson questioned whether there are any
additional grants available for border issues.
Dave Wareing, Deputy Administrator, stated that there are numerous grants. They would
research it. A lot of the work is finding out what is available, which is usually left up to the
departments. This comes through the Sheriff's office. It is the High Intensity Drug Traffic
program. There is a lot of drug trafficking across the border along the I -5 corridor.
Nelson moved to recommend item #3.
Finance Committee, 10/27/98, Page 1
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Nelson questioned whether the amount stated in item #4 is the top amount. Wareing
stated that this should have been done years ago. There was money available from the State that
Paul Rushing declined to use. There is no alternative except to remove and replace the fuel
tanks. They are stuck with unfortunate information. They looked at relocating them so they
would not have to bury them. They have to dig up, dispose of, and install the new types of tanks.
The County has to pay. They've tried to get the cost down as much as possible.
Dawson questioned whether they leak.
Harry Skinner, Facilities Manager, stated that is an unknown.
Wareing stated that there is no indication at this time.
Skinner stated that rather than ask for more money mid - stream, they are asking for it all
ar1YAW,
There are currently a 2,000 and a 5,000 gallon tanks. They will install a 2,500- gallon
tank. Included also is a tank at the Northwest Annex that will be installed above ground. In
Bellingham, they can't go above ground with a fuel tank unless they are located in an industrial
zone.
Wareing stated that federal regulations require that they be done now. If there is
unexpended money, it would stay in the general fund.
Nelson stated that the concern is whether what is going in and what is replaced are equal.
Wareing stated they are optimistic there is no indication of any leakage.
Hoag moved to recommend item #5.
Wareing stated that item #6 provides budget authorization authority to expend the money
from the conservation futures fund for the Nesset Farm and Canyon Lake Creek Community
Forest.
Nelson moved approval of item #6.
Motion to approve all items carried unanimously.
Hoag questioned the amount spent on Nesset Farm.
Roger DeSpain, Parks Director, stated that the amount was $980,000.
Hoag asked for future clarification on the acronym HIDTAS.
Finance Committee, 10/27/98, Page 2
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COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN THE
WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO
ACCEPT FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES BY THE OPPORTUNITY
COUNCIL, WITH STATE FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $68,909 (AB98 -373)
Chuck Benjamin, Health and Humans Services Director, stated that there is also $50,000
budgeted to the Opportunity Council for their work with low- income families. It offsets all
County costs, including administrative overhead. There is an 11% match. The existing program
can match the funds. 11% is an administrative cost and the match to get the grant. Only 10% is
for administrative costs only.
Nelson was concerned that the State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
has been decreasing enrollment numbers. They've been finding more people at the local level.
Benjamin stated that the bulk of the money is the insurance coverage for families and children.
Nelson stated that those families have not yet signed up, and DSHS is asking the County
to find the families. Benjamin stated that the State did not do good local outreach. They feel the
local health departments and service agencies would do a better job at getting enrollment.
Nelson stated that DSHS would pay the County a $20 finder's fee per family to be
enrolled.
Benjamin stated that the families have to meet the eligibility requirements.
Nelson questioned whether illegal immigrants would be enrolled. Benjamin stated that
they would if they are considered eligible by the State.
Nelson stated that it is important to make sure people don't fall in the cracks. It is
contradictory to the Work First program.
Benjamin stated that to stay enrolled, they have to be enrolled in Work First.
Nelson stated that he would rather enroll people that are in a transitional period, than go
out and find new people.
Benjamin stated that, as a public health official, his duty is to ensure access to health care
to families and children that are poor..
Finance Committee, 10/27/98, Page 3
2 Hoag asked about the target population. At the last Opportunity Council meeting, there
3 was a single working mother that did not have health insurance. Those are the types of people
4 toward which the program is geared. She was not fond of the finder's fee.
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6 Wareing stated that they would be concerned with removing the finder's fee. It motivates
7 the Health Department to find legitimate people that the program would help. It doesn't
8 compensate the Health Department. It covers their costs for advertising, outreach, and
9 employment. The State has developed a program to get people on the program. Whether or not
10 the County agrees with who the eligible are, if they are eligible, then they should be enrolled.
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12 Nelson stated that he deals with Medicaid eligible and questioned the targeted audience.
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14 Wareing stated that some of the people do not have the resources to seek out the
15 information, and they are dysfunctional.
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17 Nelson questioned whether there are eligible people that come into the Health and
18 Human Services Department. Benjamin stated that there is a 1996 behavioral risk factor survey
19 in Whatcom County. It is not a scientifically conducted survey. The results indicated 11 % of
20 the population are poor and underinsured and not on Medicaid.
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22 Dawson questioned how many were immigrants. Benjamin stated that the study group
23 was only English- speaking.
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25 Hoag questioned whether or not funding was included for illegal immigrants. Also, she
26 was concerned with "potentially" eligible people. Benjamin stated that there is an application
27 process for some people that don't know whether they are eligible.
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29 Nelson questioned the implementation of the program. Benjamin stated that they work
30 with the Opportunity Council and the Interfaith clinic. They will develop a plan, which the
31 program allows. The State will not create a plan for the County. The County will develop an
32 outreach program.
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34 Nelson stated that he couldn't believe that there is 11% of the population that is not
35 insured.
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37 Benjamin stated that he is confident that everyone who is eligible is on Medicaid or
38 Health Options.
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40 Hoag questioned whether those not enrolled are aware of the programs or if they are off
41 by choice. Benjamin stated that some don't understand the programs, and some can't complete
42 the paperwork. They may have gone for help, but may not have gotten the right help. This
Finance Committee, 10/27/98, Page 4
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would assist education of the agencies and groups to give the right information.
Nelson stated that education is not the problem. His problem is the seek- and -find
finder's fee. Benjamin stated that the fee is for reimbursement of services. The State is paying
them to do administrative tasks.
Dawson was concerned about the qualifications for Medicaid. Benjamin stated that his
staff has those answers.
Nelson stated that he wanted to know the type of program that would be implemented,
including groups to work with, target populations, and other information. Benjamin stated that
he couldn't pre - determine the program.
Wareing stated that packet page 23 answers some of the questions about the program
tasks. The County Health and Human Service Department is the lead agency and would disperse
the funds to other agencies to provide the services. The County enables the State to reach care
and assistance. People are contacted through numerous community services.
Nelson quoted Exhibit F, #16. The County is being asked to fund minimally the State's
responsibility for access to Medicaid. They don't know what the request will be in the future.
Wareing stated that there are two things, Medicaid and an unfunded mandate.
Dawson asked whether #18 could be amended to include verification of citizenship being
a part of the requirement for services. Wareing stated that he is unsure whether the County can
do that.
Hoag questioned the deadline. Benjamin stated that the work started in October.
Dawson stated that the work needs to be done. The concern is regarding the citizenship.
Wareing stated that questions could be answered at the regular Council meeting. People need
this and shouldn't be deprived.
Nelson stated that it is hard to believe that there are people in the community that has a
need that do not have access.
Nelson questioned the County's advocate role. Wareing stated that there are people in
the community that need this type of help. Some people are here illegally and should be dealt
with accordingly. They shouldn't preclude people who need it from getting it.
Benjamin stated that the contract runs through December 31, 1999. The program would
then be evaluated.
Finance Committee, 10/27/98, Page 5
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Nelson asked for the evaluated information in a report back to the Council. Hoag stated
she would also like information on which groups would be actually using it.
Nelson asked for information on the target groups. Benjamin stated that the report he
quoted was not scientific. He is not saying 11% of the population is totally uninsured. It is only
an indication that there is a problem with the system.
Wareing stated that the illegal children should also be covered, but their illegality should
be handled through the immigration laws with the State and federal governments. There are two
different issues. When it comes to providing health care to children, he would rather provide
that health care. Let the law deal with the citizenship as it does.
Hoag stated that the ability to speak English has nothing to do with citizenship. If
someone is here illegally, then they should not expect taxpayers to pay for the medical bills. It
has nothing to do with the language.
Wareing stated that there are children of illegal immigrants who were born here and have
citizenship status. They should not address those issues that belong in another forum. The laws
are there to deal with those issues.
Dawson stated that changes at the State level are needed.
Nelson asked about the two programs. Healthy Options has an insurance program
available. He questioned whether this program was for full coverage, or just to notify people
that there is a program available. Benjamin stated that he would look into it.
Dawson moved to bring the item forward to Council for approval. Nelson will remove it
from the agenda.
Motion to recommend discussion at the Council without approval carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE WHATCOM COUNTY
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND ECONOMIC AND
ENGINEERING SERVICES TO UPDATE AND REVISE THE COORDINATOR
WATER SYSTEM PLAN, IN THE AMOUNT OF $31,000 (AB98 -374)
Dawson questioned the types of things that needed to be revised.
Chuck Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, stated that it was just an update.
It is two years old.
Finance Committee, 10/27/98, Page 6
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Hoag questioned whether it is County money. Benjamin responded that it is state money.
What came through earlier was the request for the Health and Human Services Department to
accept the grant.
Nelson stated that the Coordinated Water System plan was done years ago and sent to the
State. It is now out of date due to growth management.
Nelson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. RESOLUTION CANCELING UNCOLLECTABLE WHATCOM COUNTY
TELEVISION RECEPTION IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 ASSESSMENTS IN
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $3,963.74 (AB98 -375)
Hoag moved to recommend approval.
Dawson questioned whether they could go to a collection agency.
Karen Frakes, Senior Civil Deputy Prosecutor, stated that they have already gone to
collections.
Wareing stated it was questionable whether the County should try to collect the
assessments. They would be trying to collect assessments from people who tried to get reception
and it didn't work.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A BID
AWARD WITH UNISOFT INC. FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING COMPUTERS
FOR THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,320.33
(AB98 -376)
Dawson stated that there were 15 bids involved, and it is included in the 1998 budget.
Nelson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO PAY COUNCIL MEMBER TRAVEL AND /OR
Finance Committee, 10/27/98, Page 7
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EXPENSES (AB98 -143I)
Dawson stated that there are two items. One is for Council Member Brenner and one is
for Council Member Sutter. They include meals, parking, and mileage. She added an item for
her lunch at the Economic Development Council.
Hoag moved approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
A DIM TR N
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Marlene Dawson, Council Member
Finance Committee, 10/27/98, Page 8