HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 25 1991WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
FINANCE COMMITTEE
October 25, 1991
Budget Review -
Revenue
The meeting was called to order at 11:05 a.m. in the Council Chambers, 2nd floor, 1000 N.
Forest St., by Chairperson Mary Vanderpol.
Also Present Absent
Marge Laidlaw None
Bob Imhof
Council Budget and Program Analyst Bob Woods stated that the purpose of this
session was to get a general overview from the Executives Office on revenues and
expenditures.
Deputy Administrator Tom Sutberry spoke on the top sources of revenue for the
1992 Budget. These sources include:
1. Property Tax (collection percentage from this source is an estimate due to a lack
of information from the Assessors Office).
2. Local Sales and Use Tax. Due to the extreme amount of construction going on
in Whatcom County, this source has grown tremendously over the past seven years. The
County receives 15% of all collection within the incorporated areas of Whatcom County.
This 15% is used as a base and equals approximately 25% of the total revenue collected.
Collection to date, through September, are up 13% over last year. Sutberry is assuming a
slow down in this growth for 1992, therefore, estimating a 10% increase in collection.
Any amount of Sales Tax collected in 1991 which is 2.5% or more above the
projected amount will go into the Courthouse Expansion Fund. In 1992, this percentage will
be raised to 5 %.
3. Gambling Tax. Estimated collection of $500,000.
4. Delinquency on Real and Personal Property Taxes. This revenue source is
expected to show a decrease in collection from the recent trend of approximately $900,000
to $600,000.
Minutes, 10/25/91, page 1
5. Building Structures and Equipment. Revenue received from Building and Codes.
6. Criminal Justice Grants. One time money and ongoing money coming from the
State that is in the Budget for a short time and sunsets on January 1, 1993 unless reenacted
by the 1992 legislature.
7. Seattle City Light. To be negotiated
8. Providing General Room and Board to Prisoners. An over - estimation was made
for 1991, so estimating low for 1992.
9. Auditors Recording Fees. Projecting $240,000 for 1992. This number comes from
the Auditor and is based on current trends.
10. Vehicle License Fees. Low growth in projected collection for 1992. This number
comes from the Auditor and is based on current trends.
11. Plan Check Fees. Projecting $279,474.
12. Public Works Administration. Reimbursement to the Current Expense Fund.
13. Driving While Intoxicated Penalties.
14. Investment Bonds. This figure is derived by the Treasurers Office. The numbers
are variable from year to year due to fluctuating interest rates.
Additional topics discussed by Sutberry included: What the impact will be on the
County if initiative 559 passes; proceeds from the sale of fixed assets; further discussion of
investment bonds; the hiring of a professional financial manager.
Woods asked technical questions on the following expenditures:
1. Building Maintenance Printing and Postage.
2. Public Works Salary Expenditures; Provision for Salary Adjustments.
3. Salary Resolution
Minutes, 10/25/91, page 2
Other topics discussed: Sheriffs Office budget request for a receptionist and a van
for the outside workers program; impact of the Growth Management Act; Building and
Codes work load; Building Maintenance request for an additional custodian; Public Works
Director job description; funding from other cities in Whatcom County for the Health
Department; Solid Waste contracts.
Additional comments were made by: Laidlaw, Vanderpol, Van Zanten, and Imhof.
ATTESTED:
FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
COMMITTEE MEMBER
a r ... "vis, iderk Mary Vanderpol, Commitfee Cliair
Minutes, 10/25/91, page 3