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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council August 15 1989WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL "Special Meeting" August 15, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Council Chambers by Council Member Will Roehl. Chairman Don Hansey arrived about 8 p.m. Other Council Members Present: Members Absent: Dan Warner Corky Johnson Mary Vanderpol Tom Burton Emily Jackson 2. BUDGET DISCUSSION - POLICY DIRECTION (RECAP AND EVALUATION OF LAST YEAR'S BUDGET GOALS) County Executive Shirley Van Zanten handed out three documents (attached) as follows: 1. Excerpts from the minutes of Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole, August 11, 1988. 2. Excerpts from the Executive's 1989 Budget Message. 3. Whatcom County Six-Year Physical Plant and Facilities Capital Program. Van Zanten went through the documents, showing how the goals of the Council a year ago had been followed in the 1989 budget message. She explained the progress that has been made on the budget goals put forth last fall. The staff members who were added as a result of last year's budget decisions have made a great difference in the level of service offered although many departments are still understaffed. For example, Jack Weiss of the Solid Waste division is doing a great job and is helping this small division deal with a very large workload, according to Van Zanten. Some of the things mentioned were that the microfilming being done by Skagit County has been very successful and it seemed wise to continue with an outside contract for the backlog of microfilming. The proposed new microfilm center would just do current projects; it would be located where 911 is now. The 300 square feet formerly used by the detectives would be used as a staff lounge. Van Zanten said it was amazing how much has actually been carried out on capital improvements. Warner gave a vote of thanks to Van Zanten and the staff on the tremendous Minutes, 8- 15 -89, page 2 accomplishments of the past year. Van Zanten distributed the final handout. 4. Possible issues to consider in policy- setting for the 1990 Whatcom County Budget Van Zanten said that the current income earnings are much higher than anticipated; she discussed the variance in interest income over the past years. The City of Bellingham has asked that the money collected for them be transferred to them weekly. The Executive said she felt the County should determine what is an average earning and use whatever is over that amount for special projects or contingency funds. Sales tax and timber revenues have fluctuations as well. All three of these revenue sources are on the rise but this is not necessarily something that will continue. A good rule of thumb is to increase the base operation only 6 percent per year. The County is at the maximum rate of $2.25 /thousand for roads so we cannot expect a 6 percent growth there; current expense is close to $1.70 and it is estimated that the County will reach the maximum State Levy Lid of $1.90 in 1990; the County needs to be careful as there will not be upward growth possible in the property tax area. One of the ways to utilize the extra money over the base is to build contingency funds, capital projects, insurance funds, medical reserves, unemployment reserves, and tort reserves. The County did have a disaster contingency fund of $300,000 but loaned $70,000 of that amount to NorBell; that fund could be brought back to its original amount. The County could have larger reserves for employee payouts and employee liabilities such as sickness payouts, balloon payouts, and long term disabilities through Labor and Industries. Some good reserve accounts for our unfunded liabilities are needed; this would make our day to day expenses more predictable. Van Zanten further stated that a big contingency fund is the capital improvements fund; the fund for the new Juvenile Detention Center should have approximately $1 million at present because of the money transferred into it during the last few years. On staffing issues, going from seven to eight hour days seemed to be desirable and implementing the Salik study. Does the County make permanent the additions to the staff that were added to help with the crunch of last year? How will increased staffing be prioritized in the coming budget? Haney arrived at the meeting and it was determined that there would be discussion of item 1 at this time, returning to this discussion afterward. 1. DISCUSSION OF PARAMETERS OF UNION CONTRACTS. Warner moved that the Council go into Executive Session. .f,f. Minutes, 8- 15 -89, page 3 Motion carried. The staff, press and public were called back into the room at 8:55 p.m. There was some discussion about salary policy for elected officials, for exempt positions, and the new Health Officer. Van Zanten discussed the internal support issues such as software needs, microfilming needs, centralized purchasing which will affect cost, and the new equipment that is available, such as cellular phones, fax, etc. Recycling paper was mentioned with the statement by Hansey that it would cost more for less quality. Van Zanten mentioned the support levels of various programs as follows: public health, mental health, developmental disabilities, alcohol /drug treatment, Park and Recreation, etc. She said that County residents have asked for "800" numbers to be installed so they could avoid long distance charges, particularly people from Point Roberts; also extended office hours, public information booths. Van Zanten asked if the Council wanted the same currently funded programs to be continued and if there were others that should be added. There was some discussion of the capital issues. Vanderpol stated the funding for the new administration /juvenile detention building and the new disposal site may have some impact on the budget issues. Jackson said since we are nearing our levy limit, we may need to consider going to less than a four year property assessment to have a faster response to the higher evaluation of properties. Van Zanten said that one of the software requests is for that purpose. In answer to a question by Jackson, Van Zanten explained that the What -Comm budget is developed by the City and the Health Department budget is developed by the County. Jackson asked if it would be wise to ask the City of Bellingham for input in charting the priorities of the Health Department. It was agreed that this would be possible but any special requests would have to be charged back to the City as part of their contract. Van Zanten updated the Council on the progress of the Capital projects that were suggested last fall. Warner and Jackson agreed to develop a format for the Council members to fill in for stating their priorities of the 1990 budget. Van Zanten will need the responses by mid - September. The Salik study and the Goltz report will impact the Council's report. Jackson asked what format Van Zanten would like to see the Lake Whatcom Watershed Committee take. Van Zanten stated that to set up a comprehensive management system, it will cost money; but from an administrative point of view this Minutes, 8- 15 -89, page 4 should be a County managed program since the watershed lies mostly in the County. The County Council, the elected representative body of regional government that covers this issue, would have direct, hands -on control of policies, priorities and budgeting. Administration would be done directly without going through other agencies. This would have cost implications for Planning, Buildings and Codes, Engineers and the Health Department. Jackson stated she felt it would probably best fit in the Health Department as water quality is the main concern of Bellingham. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. ���/ Ba bara Maher, Cler WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WRATCOM COUN3WWASHINGTON G.