HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 1 1990 amWHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
FINANCE COMMITTEE
November 1, 1990
The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. in the Council Conference Room by
Committee Chairman Dan Warner.
Present Absent
Marge Laidlaw
Mary Vanderpol
BUDGET WORK SESSION
Auditor - Shirley Forslof
Forslof pointed out the total increase is actually 11.98 percent compared to the 23.25
percent that was stated in the Executive recommend budget. The actual increase does not
include severance payout of $24,919, trainee expense of $37,386, and benefits of $14,041.
Making a total of $758,832 instead of the $835,178 that was recommended. Forslof wanted
to clarify this to the committee.
Forslof provided a basic overview of what her office deals with and the goals for
1991. Forslof asked the Committee for it's support on the new trainee to take Darlene
Metcalfs position when she retires December 1991. Forslof would like to know why (in the
Budget Ordinance item I) the Chief Accountant's position was singled out.
" The new position funded in the 1991 Auditor's budget is authorized
specifically to allow for the training of a replacement for the
Chief Account's position during 1991. If for any reason, one of the
two positions, the Chief Accountant or the replacement trainee,
becomes vacated during the fiscal year, it shall not be filled
except by authorization of the County Council"
Warner assured Forslof that this item will be looked into.
Forslof stated she felt she had to hire the trainee at a higher level than Range 21 to
obtain a person with the qualifications needed. Warner said after one year the person
would no longer be a trainee and would be in a position for an increase. The committee
advised Forslof she could start the search for the trainee now so the position could be filled
by January 1991.
There was discussion on future possibilities of hiring a Grant Accountant and an
Accounts Programmer.
Warner asked about any capital items the Auditor's office needs but did not receive
from the Executive. The Auditor's office requires a new Kardveyor (holds voter's
registration cards), the old one is 18 years old. Forslof also requested two laptop computers,
one would be for home projects for the office. She requested eight PC's, but was given only
two. Forslof also requested a Signature Visualizer Program that would cut down on staff
time spent verifying signatures. Vanderpol wanted to see hard figures on the staff time that
would be saved. Forslof stated she would provide him with this information
Meeting adjourned at 11:05
Attest:
Pamela Orloff, Assistant Cl r
Whatcom County Council
Whatcom County, Washington
aniel Warner, Member