HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council June 13 19951 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
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3 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
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5 ANNUAL BUDGET RETREAT
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7 June 13, 1995
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9 The meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. by Council Chair Robert Imhof in the
10 Council Chambers,. 311 Grand Avenue.
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12 Also Present: Absent:
13 Marlene Dawson None
14 Larry Harris
15 Alvin Starkenburg
16 Ken Henderson
17 Ward Nelson
18 Barbara Brenner (late)
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20 1. INFORMATION /DISCUSSION ON ISSUES RELATED TO THE
21 PREPARATION OF THE 1996. BUDGET (AB95 -276)
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23 DISCUSSION WITH WHATCOM COUNTY PROSECUTING
24 ATTORNEY DAVE MCEACHRAN ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE FUNDING (10:00 -
25 10:30 A.M.)
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27 Starkenburg moved to go into executive session.
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29 Motion carried unanimously.
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31 — GENERAL DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY EXECUTIVE SHIRLEY
32 VAN ZANTEN AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR TOM
33 SUTBERRY (10:30 - 11:30 A.M.)
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35 Imhof opened the meeting at. 10:50 a.m. He announced pending litigation with
36 Bellingham was discussed in executive session. He then turned the meeting over to the
37 Finance & Administrative Services Committee Chair Alvin Starkenburg.
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39 Shirley Van Zanten, County Executive, presented a general overview for the
40 1995/96 budget. She noted that the ending balance was less than anticipated for the
41 1995 budget. On paper, the 1995 budget is $151,526 short of what was originally
42 planned. Some of the steps her office was taking to deal with this issue included not
43 forwarding any supplementals out of fund balances; hiring delays; and putting a hold on
44 discretionary spending items. The lapsed appropriation will be needed to keep the
Budget Retreat Minutes, 6/13/95, Page 1
1 budget in balance, not only because of the shortfall ending 1994 but also due to revenue
2 declines. An expenditure is planned for the year, but historically is never completely
3 spent (historically, between 2 -4 percent). The 1995 revenues will fall short of what was
4 planned. The areas where there will be shortages include sales tax; gambling tax;
5 auditor's filing; interest penalty payments; building and structural permits; prisoner's
6 room and board; plat land use permits; BCA plan checks; traffic infractions; and sale of
7 fixed assets (timber). Property taxes will show an increase.
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9 In planning the budget for 1996, the Executive suggested planning for a zero fund
10 balance. This is the first time in 12 years she anticipates preparing a budget beginning
11 with zero. There will be a 5 -10 percent deficit for 1996.
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13 Tom Sutberry, Administrative Services Department, handed out historical charts
14 dealing with graphical analysis of Current Expense (on file, AB95 -276). He reviewed the
15 charts with the Council.
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17 Bob Woods, Council Budget /Program Analyst, handed out a list of Current
18 Expense Fund operations (on file, AB95 -276).
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20 — COUNCIL TO DEVELOP THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR A
21 RESOLUTION STATING COUNCIL POLICIES AND PRIORITIES FOR
22 DEVELOPMENT OF THE 1996 BUDGET (11:30 - 12:00 P.M.)
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24 According to Starkenburg, the objective needed to be how to instruct the
25 Executive in how to move forward, whether by way of reduction, by way of some
26 additional taxes, income and some reduction, or to cover all items by additional taxes or
27 income.
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29 Dawson brought up the subject of competitive bidding. Nelson was in favor of
30 property taxes at 103 percent. Brenner commented on the list of County property found
31 in the Treasurer's Office. Barbara Cory, Treasurer, commented that these properties are
32 tax title properties (foreclosed), so all the monies do not go into the Current Expense.
33 Harris suggested a decision packet presented to the Council by department heads.
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35 Some of the suggestions made included property taxes at 103 percent; up to 10
36 percent reduction; cut services /staff; more information needed; all departments cut 5
37 percent; consolidate departments. It was noted that cuts affect everyone. Perhaps do a
38 cost analysis on service levels, and then the Council will make decisions based on what is
39 appropriate.
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41 In sum, Starkenburg was in favor of a reduction up to 7 percent with all
42 departments taking some but not equal reduction. Imhof suggested a reduction between
43 5 -7 percent for all departments. Nelson wanted to know how to cut back on staffing and
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1 was in favor of a 103 percent property, tax. Dawson did not support Starkenburg's
2 suggestion. Henderson supported the idea of property taxes at 103 percent with a
3 reduction for all departments. Brenner favored a 7 percent reduction. Harris wanted to
4 see an increase in property taxes.
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6 Bob Woods is to draft and present a baseline resolution to the Council at the
7 July 5 meeting.
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9 ADJOURN
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11 The meeting was adjourned at 12 :06 p.m.
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17 Eliz eth Bennett, Recording Secreta
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19 These minutes were approved by the Council on Ausust 1995.
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21 ATTEST:
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27 and rown- avis, Council C erk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Budget Retreat Minutes, 6/13/95, Page 3