HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Finance Novevember 22 19941
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4 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
5 Finance & Personnel Committee
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7 SPECIAL MEETING
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9 November 22, 1994
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11 The meeting was called to order at 3 p.m. by Committee Chair Alvin Starkenburg
12 in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue.
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14 Also Present: Absent:
15 Ward Nelson None
16 Barbara Brenner
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18 COMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS
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20 1. BUDGET REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED 1995 WHATCOM COUNTY
21 BUDGET AS REQUESTED BY VARIOUS DEPARTMENT HEADS (AB94-
22 551)
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24 Chair Starkenburg expressed his concern that the County is living on savings;
25 there is no surplus.
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27 Jeff Monsen, Transportation Services, gave additional information regarding the
28 bridge program. He also addressed the Lake Whatcom Management Plan and use of
29 the Flood Control District funds. He asked that if the Council transfers the Solid Waste
30 to Transportation, Council seriously examine the Solid Waste budget that was proposed
31 by the Executive Committee and allow the first six months of 1995 to re- evaluate the
32 priorities and goals of the Solid Waste Division.
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34 Nate Brown, Planning & Development Services, submitted a memo to Committee
35 members regarding the proposed reductions in the division expenditure line items. As
36 Washington State University directs and guides the Cooperative Extension Agency, it is
37 not feasible for the Solid Waste Division to be transferred to that Agency. He also
38 spoke to transferring Solid Waste funds to the Health Department, as well as the
39 elimination of FTEs. He requested the Council make its cuts wisely and responsibly.
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41 Fred Thompson, District Court Probation, pointed out that his department was
42 creative in their budget. Their fees have been increased by 66 per cent to help deal with
43 the problem of increased case loads.
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Special Finance Minutes, 11/22/94, Page 1
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Marcia Gunning, Combined Treatment Services, stated her department has no
grant dollars to reallocate; only direct reductions to services can be made.
John Hooper, Substance Abuse Unit Leader, spoke briefly to his subject.
Carl Allen, Developmental Disabilities, urged the Council not to fold his
department into Combined Treatment Services. There are three citizen boards to assist
department heads in carrying out the functions of these bodies: Mental Health Board,
Substance Abuse Board and the Developmental Disabilities Board. Mr. Allen also
distributed a handout.
Dale Brandland, Sheriff, addressed the positions in his department the Council
requested be eliminated.
Dave McEachran, Prosecuting Attorney, spoke to his department, especially the
Appellant Attorney and the Sexual Assault Coordinator. His number one concern is
protection of the people in the community.
Gary Wood, Juvenile Court Probation, distributed handouts and spoke to cuts,
etc., requested for his department.
Bob Woods, Council Budget /Program Analyst, commented the Council has
requested all departments recapture administrative overhead indirect costs.
Jon Ostlund, Director, Public Defender's Office, reported his department is very
close to the capacity of cases that can be handled constitutionally.
Dr. Frank James, Director, Health Department, introduced Bonnie Schneider,
Patient Care Coordinator with Group Health Cooperative, spoke about maternal and
infant services, and John Hayward, chief administrator, St. Joseph Hospital, spoke to
prevention and wellness.
Dr. James spoke briefly to grants and contracts.
N.F. Jackson, Superior Court Clerk, commented on fiscal responsibility.
W0�i'�`
The meeting was adjourned about 4 :30 p.m.
Special Finance Minutes, 11/22/94, Page 2
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Ramona Reeves, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Ramona Reeves, Clerk of the Council
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Alvin Starkenburg, Council Me m er
Special Finance Minutes, 11/22/94, Page 3