HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Finance June 4 1996I WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 SPECIAL FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE
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4 June 4, 1996
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6 The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. by Council Chair Ward Nelson in the Council Chambers,
7 311 Grand Avenue.
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9 Also Present: Absent:
10 Marlene Dawson None
11 Tom Brown
12 Barbara Brenner
13 Alvin Starkenburg
14 Robert Imhof
15 Kathy Sutter
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17 1. DISCUSSION WITH BOB WILLIAMS OF THE EVERGREEN FREEDOM
18 FOUNDATION (AB96 -214)
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20 Nelson introduced the discussion topic as a preliminary to Council's budget retreat. How can we, as
21 department heads, legislators and administrators be effective in reducing the size and cost of government
22 while maintaining the services to our community?
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24 Bob Williams, President, Evergreen Freedom Foundation, and Lynn Harsh, Executive Director,
25 Evergreen Freedom Foundation, addressed the Council.
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27 Williams stated his organization is working with various levels of government to obtain the right
28 sizing of government. What is the role of government? His organization assists government to focus on core
29 principles (i.e., the real function of government). To this, there are four steps involved in successful
30 government:
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32 - determine the core mission;
33 - determine performance-based budgeting for service programs;
34 - determine competitive bidding; and
35 - determine a feedback system.
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37 Harsh spoke specifically to the first step, noting that there are problems because Step 1 (identifying
38 core principles) is skipped, mostly due to its difficulty. Major changes are made when this step is done.
39 Success is defined by the Freedom Foundation by examining a government's original plans, its evaluation
40 instrument and the length of its ability in reaching concrete results from its plans. The core principles vary
41 from government to government. She asked a key question (which will be debated for a long time): Do you
42 do more with less or less with less?
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44 Williams spoke to the next two steps, defining performance -based budgeting as every budget item
45 should contain a clear and precise goal that is realistically and explicitly performance measured. The focus
46 would be on outputs instead of inputs. He noted privatization is not a panacea, nor is competitive bidding. In
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order to do competitive bidding, core functions must be examined. He also noted that competitive bidding
works if employees can be empowered on an equal footing with private companies. Also, someone must
know how to write contracts.
Harsh cautioned that attrition percentage is used to decrease a budget. The legislator decides if a
certain project can be put out to bid. In doing so, he must examine revenue and income; realize that one size
does not fit all (examine all departments independently); develop a complete financial analysis of a proposal
(determine the real costs initially); build bridges with the local union; and retain full policy control. The
reason most contracts fail is because they do not clearly design the specifications and do not clearly outline
the real costs.
Williams spoke to accountability measures. What are the standards? Williams stated a performance
audit is needed to determine the economics, efficiency and effectiveness of what is happening. An inventory
of departmental activities is necessary to determine the core functions.
A question and answer period followed. Topics discussed included: any success stories in raising
taxes; feedback in educational goals for all departments; working with other departments to allocate costs;
continued service to the community; department production evaluators outside the department; local level
identity of core functions of government; cost of living raises for services and taxes in government; team
approach to this entire idea (open mindedness); need for long -range planning; differences in core functions
and core principles; and the need for cooperation.
Bob Woods, Council Budget and Program Analyst, commented about management. Harsh
commented on the team approach. Williams stated there are various opportunities for revenue.
ADJOURN
The meeting was ad dunked at 10:15 a.m.
These minutes were approved by�the Council on June 11 71996.
ATTEST:
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
NelsonL. Ward t•
Special Finance Minutes, 6/4/96, Page 2