HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 1 1990 pmWHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
FINANCE COMMITTEE
November 1, 1990
The Meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. in the Council Conference Room by
Committee Chairman Dan Warner.
Also Present: Absent:
Mary Vanderpol
Marge Laidlaw
BUDGET WORK SESSION
Public Works
Mary Chisholm, Paul Rushing, and Brad Bennett were present as representatives of
the Public Works Department. Laidlaw questioned the Public Works Department's request
for Professional Services of $30,000, which is a $5,000 increase from last year (pg. 5 - Public
Works Administration - Public Works Department Proposed 1991 Budget). Rushing
explained it was for small contracts, appraisals, and other studies. Laidlaw and Rushing
discussed other clarification matters on the P.W. budget, including the split on the cost of
a Local Area Network (LAN's) Technician between Public Works and Information Services.
There was discussion of the request for two fax machines, one in Building & Code. Rushing
explained that Building & Code will not be located near Public Works next year, so they will
need a fax machine of their own, which will be shared with Engineering, Planning, and the
Hearing Examiner.
There was discussion of the difference in the County Road Fund from 1990 to the
1991 proposed amount. Warner asked why there were line items for building permit fees
when we have made an agreement with the city to do our own inspections. Rushing
explained that these line items were for water and sewer inspections, which were not part
of the agreement with the City.
Laidlaw asked for clarification of the line item for extra help in the Buildings and
Code Administration budget. Rushing explained that this was for temporary help in areas
such as inspectors and clerks during busy times, and plan checkers.
There was discussion on the following:
The equipment list in Equipment Rental and Revolving
The request for new patrol cars
The sewer and water plan
The County Courthouse expansion project plans and scheduling
The Solid Waste budget, including sources of revenue
The Sewer construction fund
Nor -Bell.
Courthouse parking during the construction phase.
Finance Minutes, 11/1/90, Page 1
Information Services
George Reid was present to represent Information Services. Reid explained that he
was satisfied with the Executive's recommended budget for his department.
There was discussion of the Auditor Department's computers and automatic check
deposits. Reid explained that Whatcom County is the only Class A county that does not
have a mainframe computer. Reid said there is some need in the county for a mainframe,
but the computer we have now does have the capability to do a lot more than it does now.
A mainframe would need an inhouse programming staff. The mainframe is one of those
things that should be a priority in the next three to five years.
Warner and Reid discussed Reid's salary. Warner commended Reid and his staff,
especially Patti Seaman.
Reid explained 1991 will be a transition year, moving telephone systems, computer
systems (personal and network), and other transition duties, depending upon which
departments move at what time. Reid said that although it will be a busy year, he feels that
the Executives list of departmental requests can be completed.
There was discussion of a county -wide law and justice computer system, and the
$310,000 set -up and expansion expense for the initial AS400 system. Sheriff Larry Mount
participated in this discussion.
There was discussion of the request for a Records Manager and Archivist, Sally
Huffs position and the microfilming department. Warner suggested that Reid get hold of
Carl Allen in Developmental Disabilities about hiring extra help for the microfilming
department.
There was discussion of the Local Area Network system and the Geographical
Information Services system.
Reid explained that because of a clerical mistake in the Steering Committee's
recommendation to the Executive, the Executive had dropped the programming
maintenance fund for the Sheriffs Department.
Vanderpol left the meeting.
Sheriffs Department
Sheriff Larry Mount and Undersheriff Doug Gill were present as representative for
the Sheriffs Department.
Mount went over the request for the joint city /county hookup and the jail
programming maintenance requests that were discussed in the Information Services
presentation.
Mount said the Executive did not approve any additional services. He explained that
his Department is requesting a Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer ($51,867), a
records clerk ($23,876), and an administration clerk ($23,876). He explained that the total
for the D.A.R.E. officer did not include the $12,429 that the Mt. Baker School District
would pay towards this position.
Warner and Mount discussed the woods deputy. Mount said the jail population had
leveled off, but that it was at capacity, and sometimes over capacity on the weekends. He
said the video system was working great, but there were a few problems with the sound
Finance Minutes, 11/1/90, Page 2
system.
There was discussion of the request for 11 full size replacement automobiles.
Mount explained that the Department has 48 deputies, with only three to five on duty
at a time.
There was discussion on the boat patrol. Gill said they have one boat on Lake
Whatcom, one on Lake Samish, with one deputy assigned to that patrol, switching off
between the two lakes. Gill said they have received a grant from the State Parks and
Recreation Department for one more boat.
Mount said that one other request they would like to make is for a transportation
officer for the jail. This officer would be in charge of the transportation chain in
cooperation with Skagit County. Skagit County would pay half of this officer's salary,
leaving Whatcom County's part at just under $16,000.
Meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
ATTEST:
C
Shanna McWHorter, Asst. Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
d�
Daniel M. Warner, Member
Finance Minutes, 11/1/90, Page 3