HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council May 16 1995 am2
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4 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
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6 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
7 WORK SESSION
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9 May 16, 1995
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11 The meeting was called to order at 11 a.m. by Council Chair Robert Imhof in the
12 Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
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14 Also Present: Absent:
15 Marlene Dawson None
16 Larry Harris
17 Alvin Starkenburg
18 Ken Henderson
19 Ward Nelson
20 Barbara Brenner (late)
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22 1. DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF THE COUNTY ROAD FUND TO
23 INCLUDE REVISIONS AND EXPENSE PROJECTIONS (AB95 -225) (30
4- MINUTES)
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26 Jeff Monsen, Public Works, addressed the Council to summarize the packet
27 information regarding the six -year revenue and expenditure projections. A 4 percent
28 inflation rate was assumed, assuming for the next two years adjustments would be made
29 in the road program so that it would be reduced by approximately two years' worth of
30 inflation or 8 percent. Ferry operation has been increasing at approximately the rate of
31 inflation. Road administration includes the general administration, accounting, and
32 engineering services outside the construction portion, as well as the contributions toward
33 Current Expense or other activities for payment of internal services. In that road
34 administration line, the assumption was made that the portions going to other funds for
35 internal services would not increase over that time period. The changes would balance
36 each other. The amount of actual expenses within a department was increased at a rate
37 of 3 percent, which means a 1 percent reduction each year. The amount on the
38 construction side was calculated based on the projected revenue and how much is
39 remaining. Adjustments on the revenue or expenditure side are increases in revenue
40 and /or reductions in expenditures all benefiting the capital program. The reverse is true
41 as well.
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Squires Lake Minutes, 5/16/95, Page 1
1 The decline in the grants is related to the construction program. All six years of
2 the road program must be examined together. The last three years, from a construction
3 standpoint, are likely low because the six years together average out. A slightly larger
4 ending fund balance is carried in the early years, but at the end of the six years that
5 ending fund balance is a real number.
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7 On the revenue side, under Federal and State Grants on the expenditure side, if a
8 grant is not seen, a net zero is impacted on the fund balance. So it has an impact on the
9 number and size of projects that can be completed. All other revenue sources except
10 property tax have been examined for a realistic estimate of what revenue should look
11 like. The largest discrepancy that could occur is on the grant side, as there are no
12 increased funding proposals at the state or federal level. Decreases are more likely than
13 increases. Therefore, for the six years, Monsen is assuming no change.
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15 He stated he was basing the property tax on no increase with a 3% increase for
16 the following three years. However, new construction is included in these three years.
17 With the 3% increase in property taxes and the new construction, property tax growth is
18 projected at 5 %. The Road Fund is becoming more and more dependent on property
19 tax revenue.
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21 Henderson inquired about fuel tax; Brenner inquired about Point Roberts' gas
22 tax. Shirley Van Zanten, County Executive, briefly spoke to a point of clarification
23 about Point Roberts' gas tax. Discussion followed.
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25 Nelson requested Monsen provide Council with a scenario of figures for property
26 taxes at 0 %, 1 %. 3% and 6% increments by the next meeting (May 23).
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28 (Clerk's Note. As the Committee Room was filled, the meeting moved to the
29 Chambers for the remainder of the meeting. There was a 10- minute recess.)
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31 2. DISCUSSION ON SQUIRES LAKE ACQUISITION (AB95 -217) (90 MINUTES)
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33 Roger DeSpain, Parks & Recreation Director, presented slides on Squires Lake,
34 specifically the road, parking areas and the dam. He noted he received an on- the -spot
35 bid for information purposes only from Wilder Construction for $19,000, which included
36 four turnouts, culverting and parking spaces. Neighbors noted motor bikes and horses
37 presently compose the main traffic. They felt the main obstacle is the road, as safety was
38 a major concern.
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Squires Lake Minutes, 5/16/95, Page 2
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Those speaking included:
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Mr. and Mrs. Skip Johnson
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Craig Cole
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Mark Anderson
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Dick Ferringer
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Chris Benz
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Rita Foley
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Ed McCaffrey
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Ira Heinrich
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Rand Jack
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Nancy Thompson
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Roger Griffith
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Tom Thompson
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Sue Webber
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Dorothy Fowler
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18 Brenner requested copies of the assessments for the last five years, as well as a
19 copy of the engineer's report (the engineer from the Department of Ecology is coming
20 up Thursday to survey the dam).
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22 Sue Webber noted Skagit County is considerably interested in preserving this land
23 but has no funding set aside. However, they did commit to maintenance and operations
?4 to joint ventures. Brenner requested a letter from the Skagit Commissioners regarding
25 their commitment; Roger DeSpain provided same as he had very recently obtained a
26 letter from one of the Commissioners.
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28 Shirley Van Zanten, County Executive, voiced concerns about maintenance and
29 access costs and potential dam liability.
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31 Imhof noted the full Council needs to hear the engineer's report so they can make
32 an informed decision on this issue.
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34 ADDENDUM
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36 1. APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACT WITH HEBERT RESEARCH FOR
37 CONSULTING SERVICES ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE
38 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (AB95 -202)
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40 (Clerk's Note. This item was not discussed However, it will be voted on at tonight's
41 meeting at 6 p.m.)
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Squires Lake Minutes, 5/16/95, Page 3
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ADJOLTRN
The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
These minutes were
ATTEST:
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18 a rown - Davis, ouncil Clerk
the Council on June 6 , 1995.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Squires Lake Minutes, 5/16/95, Page 4