HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 19 19951 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Finance and Administrative Services Committee
3 1996 Budget Hearings
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5 October 19, 1995
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7 The meeting was called to order at 11:02 a.m. by Committee Chair Alvin
8 Starkenburg in the Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
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10 Also Present: Absent:
11 Ward Nelson None
12 Marlene Dawson
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14 Council Members Also Present:
15 Barbara Brenner
16 Ken Henderson
17 Larry Harris
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19 REVENUE REVIEW
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21 Tom Sutberry, Administrative Services Department, gave a report on his budget.
22 He noted this was the first attempt at identifying dedicated vs. non - dedicated revenue
23 from the Current Expense Fund, which is a controversial issue with the various
24 departments.
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26 The most important revenue source for the county is the property tax. The total
27 budget is predicated by two factors: the 3% increase recommended by the Council, and
28 a new construction estimate ($300 M).. Included is $496,000 diverted from the Road
29 Fund Levy to Current Expense Fund. Revenue will be collected in the Current Expense
30 Fund, so what formerly was accrued to the Road Fund will now go directly to the
31 Current Expense Fund.
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33 Bob Woods, Council Budget and Program Analyst, clarified the diversion process.
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35 The private timber harvest tax has been added to since the budget was
36 distributed. According to Sutberry, it appears substantially less will be realized from the
37 sales and use tax, as well as the gambling tax. He noted things are changing rapidly in
38 the county and recommended reviewing the figures every month.
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Budget Hearing Minutes, 10/19/95, Page 1
1 Sutberry's next topic was building, structures and equipment, which suffered a
2 substantial decline this last year. He noted federal grants have greatly increased over the
3 amount projected, so the Treasurer is verifying these monies. Barbara Cory, Treasurer,
4 commented.
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6 Sutberry noted passports and naturalization (Superior Court) is a service that is
7 no longer provided. Also noted was auditor's filing /recording, which is down
8 substantially due to the reflection of the economic condition. Motor vehicle licensing
9 and concession sales (inmates) are both holding up well. Plats and land use permits are
10 down, as are plan check, fire fees. Revenue collection activity is down substantially. He
11 noted administrative cost allocation is going to the Administrative Service Fund.
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13 According to Sutberry, traffic infraction penalties are also down. The question
14 was asked regarding any changes in enforcement. Bob Woods also commented. Work
15 release fees were also discussed. Barbara Cory, Treasurer, commented about investment
16 interest.
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18 Sutberry explained proceeds from sale fixed assets. He felt the projected figure
19 was conservative. He discussed operating transfer in from the Road Fund, noting that
20 the amount of $496,000 will be received but disappears in 1996 to show up in the
21 property tax levy as a diversion.
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23 The total budget is approximately $1 M less than was projected. There is less
24 flexibility in the budget due to the lack of any reserve amounts. Sutberry noted the
25 bottom line is that the Council has requested less conservative estimates, so the figures
26 are below projection.
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28 A question and answer period followed. Topics discussed included other funds
29 besides the Current Expense; Road Fund; fund closures; Emergency Management;
30 Health Department positions (administrator and health officer); ending balance; and
31 reserve balance.
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33 Those speaking also included:
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35 Eric Schlehuber, .Public Works
36 Bill Geyer
37 Brad Bennett, Finance
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39 ADJOURN
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41 The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
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Budget Hearing Minutes, 10/19/95, Page 2
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5 Jill Nixon, Recording Secretary
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7 ATTEST:
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCEL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Budget Hearing Minutes, 10/19/95, Page 3