HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 25 1990WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
FINANCE COMMITTEE
October 25, 1990
The meeting was called to order at 10:40 a.m. in the Council Conference Room by
Committee Chairman Dan Warner.
Other members present: Absent:
Mary Vanderpol
Marge Laidlaw
BUDGET WORK SESSION
Warner stressed the point that no decision on a recommendation would be made
while petitioners were present. The committee would listen to requests and discuss those
requests among themselves later.
Visitor and Convention Bureau
(Pg 159, 1991 Annual Budget Departmental Request)
John Martin, Jack Curnow, and Priscilla Sabin were present as representatives of the
Visitor and Convention Bureau. Their requested budget was for $24,700. Their line item
in the proposed budget is $15,000. The V.C.B. says the increase in visitor flow justifies and
increase in professional staff. V.C.B. staff level is below Expo levels, but visitor flow is way
above Expo levels, and expected to increase next year. There are no plans for new
programs included in this budget request, the requested $9,700 to bring them up to their
original budget request would be used for 2 1/2 additional professional staff and for
materials. (Handouts: Calendar of Events & Lodging Guide, Jewel Coast All Season
Scenic Circle Tours, Whatcom County Visitors Guide, Current Tourism Indicators)
Warner discussed the procedures the committee would follow. Warner said he feels
the committee should review the basic policies behind the budget to make sure the
committee agrees with them before there is discussion of specifics. There was a consensus
to ask Tom Sutberry to come before the committee to discuss the five goals listed in the
1991 Budget Message, page two, and also to discuss revenue expectations. The Committee
would also like Sutberry to discuss Exhibit E "Executive's Analysis of the 1991 Proposed
Current Expense Budget ", page 17 of the 1991 Budget Message.
There was discussion on why the emphasis in the budget has switched from law and
justice to health services.
There was discussion of the Lake Whatcom Watershed Committee, where its funding
and staffing should come from, and whether or not it should continue to exist.
Laidlaw pointed out she would prefer not to dip into the reserve funds for any
increases in budgets, she would prefer finding places to make cuts. There was a discussion
of where those cuts could be made.
Finance Minutes, 10/25/90, Page 1
Laidlaw requested time be spent looking into the Public Work's budget.
It was decided to extend invitations to departments to come before the Committee.
Warner requested Ramona Reeves to contact the following people and set up appointments
for them to come before the Committee:
Tom Sutberry
Frank James
N.F. Jackson
Larry Mount
Dan Taylor
George Reid
John Tyler
Peggy Ball
Bob Jurica
Larry Mans
Meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
1I�IV
Sharma McWhorter, Asst. Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Daniel M. Warner, Member
Finance Minutes, 10/25/90, Page 2