HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 6 1996WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
November 6, 1996
The meeting was called to order at 11:35 a.m. by Committee Chair Robert Imhof in the
Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present:
Marlene Dawson
Staff Also Present:
Kathy Sutter, Council member
Dave Wareing, Executive's Office
George Reid, Information Services
Jeff Monsen, Public Works
John Matzinger, Public Works
Kalyn Gabriel, Law Library
Dave McEachran, Prosecuting Attorney
Absent:
Tom Brown
BUDGET REVIEW FOR THE PROPOSED 1997 BUDGET: ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES; PROSECUTING ATTORNEYlLAW LIBRARY; AND PUBLIC WORKS
(AB96 -367)
Administrative Services. Dave Wareing, Executive's Office, gave background information
on the Administrative Services Department's budget. He stated that ADS consists of three basic
groups: Facilities Management; Finance; and Information Services (computers, printing, mail
system, and microfilming). He reviewed information contained on summary sheets 1, 2 and 3, (on
file) which included three personnel reclassifications; Tort Reserve Fund; public safety cooling
tower; computer upgrades; two retirement cash outs; addition of a PC/LAN technician position
(maintenance of computer systems); and one -time capital expenses, including the performance
evaluation system for the Human Resources Department.
Imhof asked about an additional dollar amount for additional personnel. Wareing stated
that the positions being asked for will greatly boost customer service. Those positions were
recommended on a return for the dollar spent basis.
Imhof asked George Reid, Information Services, what the status is on the ADS /400. Reid
replied that the County has installed a file server card to allow the system to become a wide area
server so that the entire County can tie into the AS /400 network. The As /400 has very good
security. In order for a user to obtain information, he must go through various security paths.
Anyone can be restricted from any area.
Finance Minutes, 11/6/96, Page 1
I Reid discussed one of the things his department is working on is E -mail and Internet
2 access. State monies have been granted for the County to get involved in a state health network,
3 which will open up the State Health Department.
4
5 Wareing stated that there is specific direction from the Administration to look into
6 technology that can be transitioned into new technology. Reid stated that the plans for the new
7 PCILAN tech is for a wide -area network communication specialist.
8
9 (Clerk's note: A five minute break was taken)
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11 Public Works. Wareing gave background information on the funding base of Public
12 Works. Wareing stated that not included in the system were an office work space facility and
13 upgrading of fuel tanks.
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15 Jeff Monsen, Public Works, stated that by the end of 1998, secondary containment tanks
16 or more testing procedures, a leak detection system or removal and installation of new, above -
17 ground tanks needs to be done. There is one large diesel tank and one large unleaded tank.
18 Plumbing is still below ground.
19
20 Wareing stated that an additional staff person for road naming has not yet been approved.
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22 Imhof asked the status of the County in the lower Nooksack project. Monsen discussed
23 the timeline for completing this project. Public Works will be scheduling individual meetings with
'.4 the Council members before finalizing the plan. There is a work plan for 1997; however, there are
25 still a few restoration projects from the flood event. Meetings with the Council members will
26 hopefully be scheduled within the month. Imhof stated that there is approximately $5 million in
27 the Nooksack project fund. He asked what is budgeted for work to be done next year. Monsen
28 replied that $3.9 million for next year's projects is budgeted. Of that, only a small amount is from
29 this fund. This time next year, the revenue source needs to be reauthorized.
30
31 Wareing discussed the office work space facility, which was to go out to Smith and
32 Northwest and convert the second floor into office space and an emergency operation center for
33 flooding. He requested direction, whereupon Imhof asked for a list of items that are going to
34 need to be addressed individually. Wareing responded that he would prepare a list for the
35 committee.
9
37 Imhof asked if a 100% tax with the revenue that is in the budget for the $8 million road
38 budget is anticipated. He stated that there will be a decrease in federal funding. Monsen stated
39 that they don't know what category of work the money falls in. He expects the area that would
40 decrease would be general road improvements. The impact on keeping the rural roads upgraded
41 if the status quo is maintained would be one less construction project per year. Increases and
42 substantial changes go directly into Capital Improvement.
43
Finance Minutes, 11/6/96, Page 2
I Dawson asked what additional things are going to be done when taking over the Weed
2 Board project. Monsen stated that they are looking at sharing administrative support and getting
3 more efficient in what is being done. Historically, noxious weeds on private property have not
4 been dealt with except to request the owner of the property to take care of the weed. Next year,
5 there will be additional time in the field making contact and less time in the office.
6
7 Regarding the Flood Control Zone, Imhof asked what the change was from $0.5 million
8 dollars to$7,400 in capital. John Matzinger, Public Works, discussed the capital outlay for the
9 Flood Control Zone. Imhof stated he would like to know how much the cities of Bellingham and
10 Blaine put into the Flood Control Zone flood fees.
11
12 Imhof asked Monsen about the major road projects for 1997. Monsen replied these
13 included finishing Smith Road to Northwest; Northwest to Guide; and Hannegan to Noon.
14 Dawson asked if Lummi Shore was involved for next year. Monsen stated that the real
15 expenditure for Lummi Shore will be in 1998. Approximately $2 million is in reserve as the
16 County's share for that project.
17
18 Prosecuting Attorney. Wareing gave background information on this proposed budget.
19 The prosecutor has asked for $684,000 in increases; $428,000 would replenish the Liability Fund
20 for the civil attorney's department, which is the Tort Fund. This fund resides in ADS, although
21 the cost center is with the Prosecutor's Office, as it has control of those funds.
22
23 Among the items the prosecutor has requested are: reinstatement of the sexual assault
14 case specialist (funds paid for from grants and victim witness funds); Legal Secretary I and
25 Deputy Prosecutor I to reduce the caseload of felony prosecutors will be added; reinstatement of
26 the domestic violence specialist added through supplemental funding (covered by funding through
27 grants, which was actually a contract position that has been converted).
28
29 Law Library. This budget has been included in the Prosecuting Attorney's budget.
30 Wareing stated the law library has requested reclassification of the law library position to 16
31 Step IA. This was not brought forward as a recommendation, as this was based on an external
32 parity.
33
34 Wareing noted there are three levels of services provided to all state law libraries;
35 Whatcom County is providing the basic level of service, which is the facility, heat, lights, and
36 janitorial services.
37
38 Dave McEachran, Prosecuting Attorney, stated there is a computer and some software for
39 the law library. The problem is the continuing increase in the cost of books. As a result, the
40 library may have to switch to CD -ROMs. McEachran obtained an increase in funding from the
41 Bar Association. He requested an increase in the portion of the fees received for subscriptions
42 from the County, which is almost $5,500.
43
Finance Minutes, 11/6/96, Page 3
I Kalyn Gabriel, Law Librarian, stated that the current computer is maxed out on memory.
2 To add any more software, a new computer would be needed. A computer for public access may
3 also be needed since the public is using the computer five to six hours per day, which limits
4 Gabriel's work time. It would take many CD -ROMs to convert the current library into software.
5 Sutter stated that the County needs to look at an extended plan to add a few CD -ROMs every
6 year.
7
8 Wareing stated that there was $5,000 provided last year for upgrades to the Law Library.
9 The next level of providing support benefits the County staff as well as the public. Imhof stated
10 that a plan should be instituted for the upgrading of the law library in steps for ten years in the
11 future. He directed Administration to create a plan in the first quarter of 1997 and return to the
12 Finance and Administrative Services Committee at that time with a report. He requested
13 Administration discuss computer equipment, etc. with George Reid.
14
15 Discussion followed on items recommended /not recommended by the Executive's Office
16 for addition to the Prosecuting Attorney's budget. There are three items recommended:
17 $428,000 to replenish the Tort Fund and the addition of the domestic violence specialist; Deputy
18 Prosecutor I and Secretary I; and reinstatement of the sexual assault case specialist.
19
20 McEachran stated that the felony division, which is the area having the most problems,
21 averages about 211 cases per attorney. He stated that the Prosecutor handles more cases than the
22 Public Defender. District Court handles 30 -40% of the cases; Juvenile, 95 %; and Felony,
23 60 -70 %.
24
25 Current staffing has the highest caseload across the state. Caseloads need to be reduced in
26 order for his office to react on a more timely basis with felonies. There is an increase in felonies,
27 and the load of violent cases has gone up 44% since 1988. Dawson asked how many of the
28 felonies are committed by people from other areas. McEachran replied that many are local.
29
30 Sutter asked McEachran to clarify the Drug Fund. If.someone is charged with a drug
31 offense, a fine is paid and jail time is served. The fines are placed in a fund. Another fund is
32 established from forfeitures. There are two task forces involved in dnig cases: Northwest
33 Regional Drug Task Force (the Sheriffs Office is the lead agency; also involved is the Bellingham
34 Police Department, the National Guard, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and occasionally
35 the FBI); and the Drug Enforcement Administration (a Sheriff s Deputy is assigned). Whenever a
36 drug case comes from any of these agencies, McEachran's department can examine forfeiting
37 property. These funds also come into the Drug Fund. The drug operations are financed by the
38 funds received into the Drug Fund. Some of the major purchases from the Drug Fund included
39 body armor for officers, computers, and surveillance devices, as well as a sheriffs deputy and a
40 prosecuting attorney.
41
42 Imhof asked about a revenue expenditure of $282,000 for 1997. However, McEachran
43 stated some months are good and others are not as good as far as revenue. There is a deficit of
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$72,000 for 1997. Wareing stated that the projected year -end balance in the Drug Fund is
approximately $192,000. He also stated that there have been a number of homicides solved
through the drug task force unit, as well as a number of other violent, drug - related crimes.
McEachran noted that some of the confiscated guns from raids are sold, some are destroyed, and
others are exchanged for useable equipment.
(Clerk's Note: Imhof left the meeting at 1 p. m. for a deposition.)
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Finance Minutes, 11/6/96, Page 5