HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 2 1995WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
1 1996 BUDGET HEARING
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3 November 2, 1995
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5 The meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. by Committee Chair Alvin
6 Starkenburg in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue.
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8 Also Present: Absent:
9 Ward Nelson None
10 Marlene Dawson
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12 Other Council Members Present:
13 Barbara Brenner
14 Ken Henderson
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16 BUDGET REVIEW OF THE 1996 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET FOR
17 THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS: COOPERATIVE EXTENSION,
18 FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT, PUBLIC WORKS
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20 Laurel Baldwin, Coorindator for the Noxious Weed Control Board, reviewed the
21 1996 budget. She noted that her department is set up under the Washington
22 Administration Code (WAC) and the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). The main
23 objective is public education in order to manage the impacts created by exotic weed
24 invasions on wildlife habitat, agricultural lands, native plant species, recreational areas
25 and the threat to human and animal health and safety. Through necessary enforcements,
26 her department can increase early detection and action, new infestations, and encourage
27 landowner cooperation and compliance, which promotes better land stewardship
28 throughout the County. She noted there is only one pending project left from last year,
29 and that will shortly be completed. Approximately five tons of noxious weeds were
30 removed this last year using approximately 450 volunteer hours.
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32 There was approximately 65% compliance from landowners, which is an increase
33 from last year. Her department also trains other agencies and schools.
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35 A question and answer period followed. Topics discussed included: performance
36 activity measures; media representations; volunteers through various media; projects
37 identified and worked on by noting sensitive areas; enforcement notices and fines;
38 seasonal help; resources tapped for volunteer help -- inmates, etc.; community adopt an
39 area; pockets of repeat non - compliance areas expected; and enforcement notices follow
40 through vs. education only due to lack of funds.
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Budget Minutes, 11/2/95, Page 1
I Ray Fann, Chairman of the local and state Noxious Weed Control Boards, spoke
2 to the lack of funds and help in this department.
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4 Craig MacConnell, Cooperative Extension, handed out a narrative packet. He
5 spoke about his department, noting funding comes from the County, WWU and federal
6 funding. He noted the purpose of his department is to help the people of the County
7 solve their problems through education. MacConnell discussed the use of volunteers; the
8 plan of work; family living issues; agricultural issues; training volunteers to work to help
9 educate the public in the various fields; working with various agencies; and
10 environmental education.
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12 A question and answer period followed. Topics discussed included: cooperative
13 efforts in working as a team with other agencies; an executive role regarding pulling all
14 parts of the department together; timeframes for meeting objectives; farm research and
15 education; impacts of budget reductions; and staff.
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17 (Clerk's Note: A five- minute break was taken.)
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19 Jeff Monsen, Public Works, gave a brief presentation. He noted he would be
20 referring to the previously- distributed packet regarding budget areas, and reviewed his
21 department's mission and goals. He proposed a status quo approach to the 1996 budget,
22 which means no reduction in services.
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A Flood Control Zone District: This is a separate entity from the County. The
25 Finance and Administrative Services Committee subs as a committee which advises the
26 Board of Supervisors, which is the County Council. Public Works supplies the staff
27 support to this district. He discussed what has been achieved in the past, and noted
28 where the District is today and where it is going.
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30 John Matzinger, River & Flood Engineering Manager, answered a specific
31 question regarding the mapping survey. Ed Henken, Engineering, commented.
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33 A question and answer period followed. Topics discussed included: completion
34 of a plan; and a projected schedule. Matzinger asked the Council's direction on how to
35 develop a stronger bond now between the Advisory Committee and the Board of
36 Supervisors. He also noted the Comprehensive Flood Hazardous Management Plan
37 Report will be completed by the end of October 1996. Also needing to be held would
38 be discussions with the public in addition to the Council. A work session was suggested
39 between the Council and Public Works. Matzinger also discussed the Reach Reports;
40 the general nature of capital purchases; the financial assistance program (70/30
41 Program); and zero flood effects.
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Budget Minutes, 11/2/95, Page 2
1 Matzinger introduced his committee: Chairman, Ron Bronsma; Fred Nowicke;
2 Art Anderson; and Ed Henken.
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4 (Clerk's Note: A two- minute break was taken.)
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6 Jeff Monsen, Public Works, resumed speaking. He spoke specifically to the four
7 funding areas of his department.
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9 Road Fund: Property tax has taken care of the inflation issues. Service delivery
10 is a problem. Road construction and road maintenance (Capital Improvement) are the
11 two main activities for expenditures. His department can streamline maintenance and
12 operations to a point before the problems begin. Short and long -term impacts of the
13 revenue decisions must be taken into account so that stability of service is maintained.
14 Two specific goals were mentioned: chip sealing and the addressing task force regarding
15 road signage, which is planned over a three -year period. An inventory of public and
16 private roads must be done.
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18 A brief question and answer period followed. Topics discussed included: chip
19 sealing roads; private road inventory; revenue expenditures review concerning
20 percentages of road maintenance; ending fund balance adjustment; Comprehensive Plan
21 and road construction timelines; funding mechanisms for capital improvements; stability
22 of state dollars; the chip seal program; ER & R Fund (also see below); timeframe for
23 rating plan regarding chip sealing; and computerized ferry ticketing.
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25 Ed Henken, Engineering, answered a specific question regarding road signs.
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27 Equipment Rental & Revolving Fund: Monsen spoke to the assets of equipment
28 rather than cash itself, and departmental vehicles. He also noted the smaller the fleet,
29 the less the reserve fund must be. Discussed also was building an equity account.
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31 Warren Laing, Fleet Manager, answered questions regarding radios /radio
32 maintenance and the number of cell phones the department has.
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34 Solid Waste: Monsen noted the budget process is connected to the various cities'
35 Interlocal Agreements. The budget for 1996 is a recommendation from the Executive
36 Committee, which consists of the County Executive plus the mayors of each of the cities.
37 The Council can reduce this budget but may not add or expand any items.
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39 Also discussed was the shift of emphasis in the direction the Executive Committee
40 is now taking from staff -driven to a community application process. Given existing
41 contractual requirements and known and proposed expenditure patterns, there is a nine-
42 month cash supply. The timing of the decision regarding the budget was also discussed.
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Budget Minutes, 11/2/95, Page 3
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Monsen stated his department is planning on four less full time positions (through
attrition). Also, there is a need for more dialogue between the Council and his
department.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 1:23 p.m.
ATTEST:
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Alvin Starkenburg, Council Me e
Budget Minutes, 11/2/95, Page 4