HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 9 1993 amWHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
November 9, 1993
The meeting was called to order at 9:23 a.m. by Committee Chair Ken
Henderson.
Present: Absent:
Robert Imhof Dennis Vander Yacht
Also present: Larry Harris, Marge Laidlaw and Barbara Brenner.
Bob Woods, Council Budget and Program Analyst reported the progress to this
time.
Dave Wareing, Undersheriff, said it would not be allowable to transfer $51,130
from the Drug Fund for the appellant attorney as he would be covering more than drug
issues.
Woods recommended eliminating the transfer.
Sheriff
Wareing stated that there is a problem with using the drug fund. He stated that
the water craft mooring fees are not an option because of the change in the law. He
said there is a $4.50 per boat increase that should boost the County's revenue from
$14,000 to approximately $34,000. This would assist in boating coverage. The Sheriffs
department has heard that other counties are taking advantage of road fund utilization.
Public safety and emergency response is essential and that is what propels their request
for more officers. He stated the department will be two deputies short because of
injuries. Wareing mentioned it is a prolonged process to get deputies ready to be on the
road alone. In Whatcom County there is a 70 percent occurrence of alcohol related
accidents as compared to a state average of 49 percent. Twenty eight people have been
killed on county roads so far this year with 16 last year and 18 the year before. Traffic
officers are essential and the department asked earnestly that the three officers be
funded. Wareing distributed a hand -out of statistics and graphs, dated June 7, 1993.
Topics discussed: The need for two jailers; one jailer handling more than 100
people; funds originally from the road fund for deputies and a clerical position; the
department has 50 deputy sheriff's including Sheriff Brandland; number of arrests and
responses; encouraging officers to deal with situations at the scene without involving
court system; transfer last year to cover costs.
Speakers: Henderson; Wareing; Imhof; Laidlaw; Woods.
Budget Hearings, November 9, 1993, Page 1
Assessor
Keith Willnauer, County Assessor stated that the additional funds would be used
as extra help to cover the cost of a retired appraiser (from the Assessor's office).
Currently there are no funds for this purpose. Willnauer said he anticipates an increase
in citizen requests as well as additional mailing costs.
Barbara Cory, Treasurer, said her office gets many calls having to do with
assessments and with annual revaluations there will be an increase in work for her office.
Willnauer said he hopes to carry out some staff training; he also plans public
education to reduce questions.
Comments were made on the following issues; increased overall costs with annual
revaluations; heightened level of expertise required; comparisons with other counties;
current valuation is approximately 70.3 percent of actual value; residents would pay less
to the state school systems if yearly valuation carried out but the overall assessment
would be raised from 70.3 percent to 90 percent; distribution of centrally - assessed
utilities would increase by over $700,000; accuracy of both cycles; administration against
annual revaluation because of cost; more equitable treatment of tax payers by annual
cycle; fluctuation of real estate market.
Speakers: Laidlaw; Willnauer; Imhof; Henderson; Brenner; Woods; Sutberry.
Henderson said the information would be reviewed before action.
Combined Jury Administration - Superior and District Court
N.F. Jackson explained this issue.
Comments were made on the following issues: number of drug- related offenses;
retrieval of data to determine number of driving related or tort cases; willingness to back
up transfer funds from Drug Fund; all sectors of criminal justice are facing survival
because of lack of staffing.
Speakers: Brenner; Henderson.
District Court - Filing System
Linda Gill, District Court, said this is long -term item.
Comments were made on the following issues: inefficiency caused by the need to
add staff; mistakes made because of lack of funds and too much work;
Budget Hearings, November 9, 1993, Page 2
Speakers: Brenner, Jackson.
There was discussion among Imhof, Henderson . and Brenner as to fairness of
transfers, changing the tax rates, how the Council should proceed, having ER &R
depreciate property.
HENDERSON MOVED APPROVAL OF COMBINED JURY
ADMINISTRATOR AND DISTRICT COURT FILING SYSTEM.
There was a 1 -1 split vote.
HENDERSON MOVED TO STRIKE TRANSFER FROM DRUG FUND TO
COVER THE APPELLANT ATTORNEY.
The motion was approved 2 -0.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:03 a.m.
ATTEST:
Barbara Maher, Deputy Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Kenneth Hen erso mmittee Chair
Budget Hearings, November 9, 1993, Page 3