Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 15 1991WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE November 15, 1991 The meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. in the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest Street, by Committee Chairman Mary Vanderpol. Also Present Absent Bob Imhof None. Marge Laidlaw BUDGET REVIEW - WRAP -UP Overview of Finance Committee Findings. 11115191: The following decisions were made during this meeting. They are summarized here for the sake of convenience. Detail of discussions relating to these items follows the summary. Elected Officials' salaries: Increase Sheriff, Auditor, Treasurer, Assessor pay to 66 percent of the Prosecutor's salary (which is set by the State). Total increase needed: $24,000. Court Commissioners: A full commissioner will be paid at 80 percent of a District Court Judge salary; a half -time District Court Commissioner will make $35,107. Total increases needed: $5,800 for the full commissioner, $12,300 for the part-time commissioner. Jury Salaries: The Committee decided to not fund this requested increase. District Court Judge: The Committee will request the Executive to draft an ordinance to put off the hiring of a District Court Judge for one year. The ordinance will be introduced at the 11/26 meeting. Noxious Weed: Increase by $6,000. Technical Corrections: Net reduction of $10,654, pursuant to the memorandum provided the Committee by Terry Hinz, County Budget Manager. Adult Probation: No additional funding provided. Public Defender Human Resources Person: No funding provided. Public Defender computer: Provide $14,000 for this item. Auditor account clerk: This position will be funded. Auditor election reserve clerk: This additional position will not be funded. Assessor property control analyst: This position will not be funded. Combined Treatment: No additional money is being recommended for the detoxification program; increases over the Administration's recommendation are recommended for the following: Lake Whatcom, $7,000; Northwest Youth Services $2,250; Sun Community $2,300; Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric $6,000; Professional Service Child Abuse, $3,400; Sea -Mar $4,400. Council: No furniture for analyst; the following increases were recommended for approval: Republication of the Code, $18,462 (the Clerk is directed to look into the Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 Page 1 possibility of billing other funds for copies of the Code); the Local Area Network, $19,580; modem, $400; increase from a 30 -hour to a 40 -hour week for receptionist /Secretary I, $4,752; Board of Equalization pay increase, $4,999. Juvenile Probation: No action taken. Conservation District: No additional funding will be provided. Brigid Collins: No additional funding will be provided. Womencare Shelter. The amount of $3,000 will be added. Humane Society: No additional funding will be provided. Superior Court Barcode tracking software: The Committee decided to fund this item. Buildings and Code: Line 524.20.41, professional services, to be cut by $17,000. Equipment Rental and Revolving: The miscellaneous account to be reduced from $100,000 to $25,000. Public Works Administration: Delete the line items called "provision for salary increase" throughout Public Works budget (11.9900) (this includes Buildings and Code, Maintenance and Operations, Building Maintenance, Engineering); reduce professional services, 519.17.41, by $10,000, leaving $20,000; The Committee would like to include a budget proviso asking the Executive to look into the feasibility of combining the responsibilities of Administrative Services Manager into other areas; the accountant position (additional service approved by the Executive) will be deleted (reduction of $35,728); Brad Bennett's recommended reductions accepted; technical correction for the solid waste division added $16,000. Maintenance and Operations: Delete funding for two pup trailers, $46,000; budget proviso to set up a committee to look at the road department's responsibilities, as was done nine years ago. Executive's Office: Capital Facilities, Water Resources Positions, appropriate the $100,000 requested; however, include a budget proviso that the money will not be spent without prior Council approval of a work plan and program for water resources, capital facilities and natural heritage task force plan. Equipment Rental & Revolving:,. The Committee discussed the $100,000 in the miscellaneous for Building Maintenance or Equipment Rental and Revolving; after discussion between Imhof and Laidlaw, the balance was changed from $100,000 to $25,000. Miscellaneous: General discussion took place of the following: Technical correction to the solid waste management fund, EPA landfill permits, $16,000 -- the Committee felt this should be approved; Visitor and Convention asked for $5,700 to come out of the Visitor and Convention Fund; two pup trailers; County Executive's budget, salaries and reclassifications. General Discussion; Reclassifications; Line -Item Budget Review: [Note. The tape for the first portion of the meeting was not functional However, the Clerk attempted to take detailed minutes for the first portion of the meeting and the Committee, after the problem was corrected (about 20 minutes into the meeting) attempted to recap the discussion for the tape- recorded record. There was no agenda for this meeting; the underlined section headings are for reference Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 Page 2 purposes only.] Budget and Program Analyst Bob Woods said he spoke with Terry Hinz about the changes proposed, at least preliminarily, by the Committee. They determined it is necessary for the Council to reduce interfund income if it reduces expenses for Public Works Administration, Woods said. At this point the Committee had added $93,038 to the Executive's request, not including any changes in revenues, and also not having concluded deliberations on all departments. Regarding the reclassification of employees within the Executive's Office, Woods reported that Personnel Director Larry Mans did not have the information on file to justify those changes. Vanderpol said he called the Executive this morning, and she said the Council has no jurisdiction over reclassifications. The Executive said the Council does have jurisdiction over the number of positions in a given department, but it can not decide on reclassification matters; the exception to that is that the Council takes full responsibility over the Council staffs pay. The intent of the Executive's Office is that they wish to give the Council free reign over what is established in the Council Office. Regarding the rationale for the reclassifications within her own office, the Executive said because of the job duties that have been given to Terry Hinz and Pat Lundquist, the increases would bring them up to a comparable level with other positions within the County: Lundquist was brought up to match other administrative assistant positions within the County; Hinz was brought up to the pay level of Brad Bennett, Public Works Administration; Program Analyst Linda Irvin was promoted to a level in line with what she is expected to do. Under the personnel ordinance, the Executive has full jurisdiction over these items, she reportedly said to Vanderpol. The Council can restrict financing of certain positions; however, within a department there can be transfers from one line item to another. Vanderpol said Van Zanten said the Council can't reduce individual line items for departments. The Finance Committee can say, in looking at certain lines, that there have been over - expenditures, but the Committee can only effect a reduction to the bottom line of the budget. There was discussion of the applicability of proviso A in the budget ordinance (a standard phrase that appears at least in budgets adopted since 1989). This proviso indicates that no position increases may take place once the budget document (background detail) is adopted by the Council. Laidlaw noted that provisos could be changed or added to. Woods said he understood the Council has full authority over line items, and the Executive has the right to veto the budget; that's the way Congress and the State Legislature work. Imhof said he feels like the Council is performing a rubber -stamp function, and nothing else, if Vanderpol's assertions are correct. Vanderpol disagreed. Laidlaw, who had been on the phone with Vanderpol and the Executive earlier that morning, said the Executive said she would be willing to address the Committee on these issues. Woods read from the County Code regarding reclassifications. The Personnel Director should be providing an analysis on every reclassification. The Code said the Council has authority to set compensation levels for all officers and employees. The Committee then discussed the Code's statements on budgetary authority. Woods said he Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 Page 3 believes the Council has broad budgetary authority. The Committee decided it would be prudent at this point to ask the Executive to join them for further discussion, and to ask Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Randy Watts to clarify the reclassification and budget line item issues. Vanderpol left the room. [Note: There was a short break at this time; the Clerk discovered a short time before the break, that the tape recorder had not been functioning properly and that no recording had been made of the meeting to this point. J When the meeting reconvened at about 9:35 a.m., Vanderpol said he had just called the Executive Office and she was unavailable to come to the meeting. He then asked that Deputy Administrator Tom Sutberry, who was in a meeting, be asked to call back. Watts was asked to come forward to interpret the reclassification and line item issues. Vanderpol commented briefly on Watts' preliminary thoughts, but added that Watts wanted to research the matter and would come to the meeting when he had found the necessary information. Laidlaw suggested that it would be a good idea to recap the things that were discussed prior to the start of the actual taping of the meeting. Woods provided a summary of the technical corrections from the Executive's Office, and reported that Hinz and Woods had determined it is necessary for the Council to reduce the interfund income if it reduces expenses for Public Works Administration. At this point the Committee has added $93,038 to the Executive's request, not including any changes in revenues, and also not having concluded deliberations on all departments. Imhof pointed out that Public Works benefits, line 20.9900 in all programs, needs to be reduced in accordance with the removal of provisional salary increases. Woods said he would make that adjustment. Woods recapped the information provided him by Larry Mans regarding the reclassifications within the Executive's Office (see page 1). Vanderpol left the room to receive a phone call from Sutberry; the Committee took another break, at 9:50 a.m., while Vanderpol spoke with Sutberry on the phone. They reconvened at 9:58 a.m. Vanderpol said he spoke with Sutberry, who said the reclassifications are within the Council's jurisdiction to do whatever it wants to. That authority is within the Charter for the Council but that authority was ceded to the Executive in the Personnel section of the Code; the Council could, of course, change that. Vanderpol said Sutberry did not know this information for a fact, but that this was what he recalled. In terms of line items for the budget, four years ago the Council changed from line item approval to bottom line approval; that can be changed again as well. Vanderpol asked him to find the ordinance that would back up that assertion; Sutberry said he would come to the meeting as soon as possible with that information. Discussion ensued among Imhof, Woods and Laidlaw about the provision for salary increases within the Public Works budget. Laidlaw emphasized that the Committee needed to be very clear on the potential for implications of cuts to the ' road fund. Vanderpol said it would be a good idea to review the actions of the meeting yesterday, and the Committee did so (see the November 14 minutes, particularly the section headed "Finance Committee recommendations. "). Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 Page 4 Vanderpol clarified that deletions from the Public Works budget do not help the Current Expense Fund. Woods said yes. The Committee agreed that if a committee is established to review the Maintenance and Operation program it should be done in consultation with the Administration. Sutberry arrived, and the Committee shifted to discussion of jurisdiction of the Council over various budget matters. Vanderpol asked about the line item versus bottom line budget. Sutberry said there is no legal requirement for the Council to abstain from adoption of a line item budget; however, in the budget ordinance adopted by the Council section A of the budget provisos said that the positions included in the backup detail can not be increased. The line item budget is the backup detail. Sutberry said the detailed changes the Council is making should be reflected in the proviso. Laidlaw asked Vanderpol if this was different from what they had been told by the Executive this morning. Vanderpol said the Executive had said that if the Council does not like line item number 16 or 17, for example, the Council can adjust the bottom line but the Council can not eliminate a line item. Sutberry said if Council eliminated a position the Executive could not replace that line item. Vanderpol said the Council does not have a problem with that; but that it wants to send a message to certain departments that certain line items need to be funded differently. If a line item position was deleted by the Council, Laidlaw said, the department head could fire someone else and keep the person by putting them in another position, displacing another person. Sutberry agreed. Laidlaw clarified that the Council has authority over exempt positions but not union positions. Watts arrived. Sutberry said that in regards to reclassification issues, the Code said the Personnel Director has the authority to reclassify employees. However, the Code ultimately gives authority to the Executive for the whole thing, because she supervises the Personnel Director (Whatcom County Code 2.57.067, and Charter provision 7.30). Laidlaw asked about reclassification requests that are turned down by Personnel; can the Executive overturn those? Watts said the Personnel Director works for the Executive's benefit. The initial response is that the Personnel director must take a look at the reclassification request and make a recommendation. Nowhere. within the personnel system does reclassification have anything to do with the level of salary. The Council creates the salary grid and says if you fall into a certain classification, you get a certain pay. If the Council wishes to attempt to manipulate a single position, it would need to do it at a grid level. If the Council did not use a grid, the Council could do something about establishing salaries for individual positions. Sutberry and Woods commented. Regarding the line item authority, Watts said referred to the Charter provision 6.60. Watts said it deals with an object level budget, but wasn't sure that object level and line item were one and the same. Sutberry said there is no question in his mind that if the Council decreases a line item, the Council also decreases the bottom line. "You people can restrict us to the extent you want to restrict us," he said. Within budget provisos line items can be specifically identified. The Council can name specific contracts as well. Provisos are to provide direction to the Administration on how to carry out the intent of the Council. The Committee switched back to the reclassification discussion. Vanderpol said that if the Executive's recommendation for reclassification was not done through research by the Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 Page 5 Personnel Office, is that a procedure that must be followed? Watts said that Charter provision 7.30 and WCC 2.57 place administration of the personnel system under the Executive. If the Executive comes forth with a reclassification without going through the personnel director, the executive has the authority to bypass it. Since the overall responsibility is hers anyway the avoidance of the system is not fatal to the reclassifications. He also pointed out that the Executive can appoint her personal assistants and a distinction should and can be made. The Committee asked about the word "shall," as it appears in the personnel guidelines for reclassifications. Watts said that "shall" presumptively is mandatory, but that it can be determined to mean different things. Earlier in the history of County government the Council adopted the exempt salaries individually but Sutberry said there was some vindictiveness. Woods asked if the Council is subject to the reclassification system. Watts said in Whatcom County Code 2.57, the list of employees who are not included under personnel system, the Council staff is not specifically listed; however, the Council could change that. Sutberry said he feels that the Courts and Prosecutor and elected officials have some exemptions. There was discussion. Watts left the room. Public Works: Administrative Services Manama Woods said the changes that the Committee had previously discussed relating to the Administrative Services Manager expenditure can not be changed. Imhof said the money could just be not authorized for that thing. The proviso discussed earlier was to examine whether that position would be eliminated. Sutberry left the room. Vanderpol said he does not think the Committee has researched that position to the point that it can be backed up; more study is needed before a proviso like that can be set forth. Discussion ensued. Imhof said he felt that if the Council is pushing toward the direction of centralizing some services, the proviso is appropriate because the Council is seeking justification and investigation, not just the elimination of a position. The executive could be asked to look into the feasibility of moving accounting functions of various departments into other positions, etc. Vanderpol said he would like to, in that note, not come through with any language that indicates a predisposition to make any of those changes. Laidlaw discussed some of the areas within that position that could potentially be examined for possible reallocation. [Note. For purposes of continuity, the following sections consolidate all discussion of the indicated issues. The actual discussion took place at random throughout the meeting.] Public Works Accounting; -- Auditor Accounting: The Committee then spoke about deleting the position in the accounting division of Public Works. The message to be sent to the Executive that responsibility for that accounting function should be transferred to the Auditor's Office with the advent of the new financial system. Laidlaw said she understood that there is an internal committee that is undertaking some study of this and they would make a report to the Council. She didn't Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 Page 6 want to cause a whole lot of staff work to generate a report that will be coming forward anyway; she would like to emphasize that the Council is looking toward the recommendations of the committee that is investigating the potential centralization. Woods said he would draft this proviso language and talk with each of the Committee members before making it public. It was noted that funding for the accountant in the Auditor's office would come from Current Expense; the Public Works Accountant would come from other funds. Discussion ensued among Laidlaw, Imhof and Vanderpol. The Committee noted that the Auditor's Office could possibly charge the road fund and other accounts for services provided in order to reimburse Current Expense. The Committee decided to recommend the account clerk position in the Auditor's Office, deny the one added by the Executive to Public Works Accounting. Special Finance Committee Meeting Scheduled: The Committee agreed to have another review meeting on Sunday at 4 p.m. The Clerk said she would notify the media. Jail: Regarding the County jail, page 48 of the budget detail, Imhof asked about the increase for nursing staff, Woods explained this was for services provided by existing Health Department staff. Sheriffs Office: Imhof asked about page 124 of the budget detail, office and operating supplies, Sheriffs Office. The total seemed to increase at $5,000 a whack. He recommended reducing it by $20,000, making it an even $56,000. There was consensus. On page 127, overtime, hazardous duty, Imhof questioned the need for an increase. Laidlaw said she was reluctant to touch this account, and Imhof agreed but added that he didn't know if the increase was warranted. Woods ran through the actual expenditures, which indicated large amounts left over since 1988, but annualizing this year's expenditures it looks as though the increase will be warranted. Jury and Witness Salaries: On page 135, jury and witness fees, an increase of $9,000 was being sought. The Committee decided to not grant the increase. Health Department: Laidlaw reminded the Committee that there had been discussion about the travel line items in all program areas; the Department had budgeted an additional $11,000. Woods said Dr. Frank James said that was mostly for training. The Department is required to give employees four days of training a year. After discussion the Committee agreed to delete $10,000, giving the department a slight bump but not as much of one as was anticipated. Total travel budget for Health would be $15,000. Laidlaw then commented about the Department not answering their phones during Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 Page 7 the lunch hours. She felt that a proviso is needed indicating that it is important for that department to schedule staff time so that they are available to the public during that time, both on the phone and in person, even if this means that the office opens at 8:30 and closes at 4:30, so employees could catch up on work without interruption for 1/2 hour at the beginning and end of the day. Vanderpol and Imhof concurred. The employees should not just answer phones but be available to conduct business. Imhof spoke about page 320, under water resource programming, for new personnel. Is this the same type of personnel as in the executive's office? Woods thought this was the net cost of Sue Blake's position; however, then the Committee found Sue Blake's position addressed on page 366. The question was left unanswered. Professional services on page 458 was addressed by Imhof. Is this increase warranted? Laidlaw said she believed that Bennett addressed that in his memo to the Committee. She read from the memo, which said this was consistent with BARS management. Discussion ensued. Communications and postage showed a hefty increase, on page 459, but the Committee decided this was for the next go- around for community recycling, and other programs. In the Equipment Rental and Revolving (ER &R) budget, Imhof had asked for priorities on their wish list, page 465. After seeing so many things put off from year to year, should the Council authorize the wish list or prioritize and eliminate some items? Since it's within ER &R, any savings won't help the ending fund balance of current expense. Woods noted that Mary Chisholm explained some of the roll-overs in the Capital Facilities Plan. Council could amend the Capital Facilities Plan, which is up for consideration November 26. Parks: On page 200, 205, and others, the Committee noted that increases seem to be occurring throughout in the overtime, travel, and communications accounts. Woods said in the County Park Fund, all the items are by a great amount funded by Current Expense. There seems to be a 31 percent increase without indication that there is a big new program about to come on line. Laidlaw recommended that Woods take a look at the increases that are asked for. Woods spoke about past trends in the relevant accounts. The Committee decided it should decrease the increase, not the base budget. The Committee agreed to cut $2,000 from 106. _ _, and $1,000 from 106.42. On page 207, line 21.31, delete $1,000. Line 214.10.300, outdoor program professional services, delete $500; delete travel by $2,000; delete $500 professional services outdoor program; office supplies, .3 1, delete $1,500; lines 11.9000 and 12, extra help and overtime page 209, delete by $5,000; page 210, line 10.31.0, there was another $10,000 bump when the account was not anywhere close to being used up, so Committee recommended $9,000 be deleted. Planning Department: Technical corrections resulted in an added $22,300. Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 Page 8 Auditor: Election Reserve: No increase over the Executive's recommendation. Humane Society: The Committee decided to wait until after the first of the year to consider this proposal for an increase. The Committee would need to be shown what the revenues would be with and without the split. Adult probation: One more computer, an added $3,500. Public Defender: The Committee favored adding the computers requested, because the department had a lean budget and the department deserved some reward for that. However, the added person was not granted. Assessor: The request for a programmer was denied. Juvenile probation: Vanderpol at first wanted to wait until the new building was established and determine need later. Laidlaw said she is not comfortable with that and Imhof agreed. The position was included. Prosecutor micro imaging_ Questions were asked about the relative position of this program with the microfilming program. Discussion took place. The request was denied. See the attached listed entitled, "Finance Committee Recommendations of Nov. 15, 1991" for more information (includes decisions from 11/14 which are not reflected within these minutes). Provisos: In addition to the provisos mentioned above, the Committee came up with the following list to be included in the budget ordinance: Urge Careful Spending: The Committee doesn't want to send the message that people are punished for not spending all their money, Laidlaw said; the Committee agreed. Motor Pool: The proviso from last year's budget ordinance regarding motor pool usage should be added. Buildings and Code: Proviso J regarded funding for positions in Buildings and Code if the corresponding revenues existed. Laidlaw said she has serious problems with the lack of enforcement in Buildings and Code; putting two more people in to a department that does not seem to recognize the importance of enforcement and the Growth Management Act does not seem prudent. Imhof agreed. Perhaps, he said, these two positions should be Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 Page 9 included in the proviso (discussed yesterday and today, regarding the capital facilities and water resource positions) that requires a plan or program be developed before money is expended. Vanderpol agreed that a plan should be submitted explaining how these fit into the overall program before appropriation; the department could always come back for a supplemental. The proviso should say that they may be funded when a plan for the positions' usage is brought forward. Woods said he is concerned about adding positions anywhere, in that department specifically, because the information that came to the Council during the budget hearing was inadequate, plus we still don't know if the workload is really increasing next year or is it stable. The essence of the proviso should be: When a plan has been presented to the Council regarding job descriptions, who they are responsible to, the Council will give special consideration to funding these positions. There was agreement, although Vanderpol suggested wording along these lines: "At this point in time these positions are not approved but if later in the year (the plan comes forward) Council will give special consideration to these requests." Need to include language so that the Council gets a work plan. There was discussion of some of the costs that would be associated with these positions. Laidlaw clarified that these positions are funded by Current Expense, and the Council needs to be sure those people are put into the proper area to make sure they will do what is needed for Growth Management. Changes in enforcement practices need to take place before she would be willing to add positions, Laidlaw said. Juvenile probation: There is one position that is funded by a grant (reimbursement by state based on the number of kids going through the system, so don't know if the reimbursement will occur). In a proviso, language something like this should be included, the Committee decided: Should the person not be generating the reimbursement level required by the State after the first six months, the position will be phased out and not funded next year. Any shortfall in grant revenue for this position will be made up with transfers within the department, not by supplemental funds. Staff increases: Woods discussed the programmer position and the microfilming clerk already recommended by the Executive for Information Services. He went through the positions recommended for addition by the Executive, totalling (roughly) 15 new ones, plus others getting increased time. There was discussion of the various positions, the advisability of adding so many people. The Treasurer's portfolio manager was discussed by Laidlaw; she said probably someday will need a property manager to handle the issues surrounding the Flood Control Zone District. No proviso resulted from this discussion. Personnel /Budget Revisions, Proviso A: Laidlaw suggested language that would indicate any adjustment made by the Council in the detail backup document shall not change without Council approval. The Council has adjusted specific line items and the budget is to reflect those changes exactly. Woods asked if the Committee wished to take on the issue of reclassifications by changing policy over time. Should the Council take it up as a completely separate issue after the budget is adopted? The Committee agreed. Revenues: Woods asked about adjusting revenue forecasts. In his memo to the Committee dated November 13, he explained that the Assessor felt property tax revenues Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 Page 10 should be increased by about $178,000, and that land use fees contained wit and Codes would account for an additional $54,000. The Committee spoke about the lack of a coherent fee schedule that them to look at revenues and potential revenues on a county -wide basis. Th to see comprehensive fee schedules for all departments, and to communi4 executive why the hydrologist and geologist positions were pulled. Woods sug held off, too, until next year when he has his report ready on county operati thought some indication should be included in the cover memo. Discussion ensued about the reliability of the additional revenues pc Woods. The Committee decided to add the $178,000 but to ignore the pote Combined Treatment: Vanderpol spoke to the mental health and sut requests. The detoxification program is under the substance abuse category a speak to that issue at the time. He has since spoken to Combined Treatn Peggy Ball, who said she can not emphasize enough the importance of this pi is the emergency treatment once someone is picked up by law enforcement, they are referred to formal treatment. They are asking for about $19,000 monies. After discussion, it was decided that neither additional request wou Further discussion about human services funding ensued; it was nc feasibility of creating a human services department is a project that Woods wi study at some time in the future. Already, $2.7 million of the County budget services items, Laidlaw said, adding that this money is drawn from Current I Back to the budget provisos, general verbiage directions: There should message sent out to divisions and departments. The Committee should com for their budget presentation, and it also is necessary to advise them that the not want them to run out and spend money. Where the Committee has made were intended as "pruning" measures and not as a slap in the face. The Comp encourage them to develop budgets next time by not increasing their bases, e ongoing expenses. Imhof would like to see reasons for increases in different I just numbers on a piece of paper; i.e., don't just add six percent because yoi you need it. Laidlaw said she would like to see uniformity among the departs of objectives, and like to see objectives that are not "warm fuzzies," vague phra like to provide better service." Vanderpol said the Council is concerned abc where the amounts have not been used yet there is an increase. The Commits a few but could have gone into many more. The Committee doesn't feel f needs to be spent, but particularly in areas where you've only used a fourth or and it increases over the years, that is a concern. Woods said certain departm told that grave concerns exist about operations (Public Works and others). v there were enough messages being sent. Laidlaw said it might clarify things fc they've never been scrutinized like this in the past, if the following things wei the message: The type of information the Committee was provided by depai the Committee wanted, and what the committee determined as a result. should indicate it was not a witch hunt, Imhof said, but merely a signal tha would like to see a tighter budget. Vanderpol said he would prefer departments were not named; however, Laidlaw said the Committee should Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 types of messages to choose from on Sunday. Possible departments to be mentioned or reviewed, the Committee decided, were Public Works, Parks and Juvenile Probation. Kudos should be given to Brad Bennett and Jon Ostlund for the format of their budgets. Vanderpol said he thought it would be better to show departments in vague terms what the Committee appreciated, and what they didn't. The Committee agreed that the letter should indicate it is the wish of the Council to place emphasis on equipment and one- time expense and not staff; that an emphasis should continue to be placed on modernizing appropriate technology; and that Council should ask that the Administration review the feasibility of transferring purchasing functions of the county yard to the purchasing department. A note should be made that proposed income and proposed expenses are out of whack but that the County may be moving in an okay direction. Woods referred to his memo, where he compared the expenditures /revenues from past years. He noted that if there is a significant tam in the economy, the County would be facing a serious problem that could only be addressed by staff reductions. Vanderpol said the employment ratio is getting back up to what it was in the early 1980s, when many layoffs had to occur. Laidlaw noted that the increase had not restored the exact same positions, however. The meeting was adjourned at 1:04 p.m. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY SHINGTON Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk Marvin G. Vanderpol, MeiVb r Finance Committee Budget Review, 11/15/91 Page 12