HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole October 25 2017WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee of the Whole
October 25, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann, Satpal Sidhu, Carl Weimer, Todd
Donovan, Rud Browne and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED 2017 -2018 WHATCOM
COUNTY BUDGET, INCLUDING AN INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW BY THE
COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND REVIEW OF THE FOLLOWING BUDGET REQUESTS:
EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, NON - DEPARTMENTAL
(AB2016 -198A)
Jack Louws, County Executive, introduced the staff and he submitted and read from
a presentation (on file), and described the recommendations for new staff positions. He
referenced and presented on the Executive's Office budget, Volume 2. He answered
questions on plans for funding and developing key performance indicators (KPIs), the
funding recommendation for the Domestic Violence Commission, lower jail bed day fee
revenue from other jurisdictions, and establishing a project -based budget for courthouse
repairs.
Tawni Helms, Executive's Office, continued the presentation on the non -
departmental budget and submitted information (on file). She answered questions on the
transfer from the conservation futures fund to the Planning Department for the purchase of
development rights (PDR) program.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, described the leave payout line item for people
who are retiring and the wage settlements. He described non - departmental transfers to
other funds and answered questions about the South Fork Park Fund transfer and the total
cost of purchase and repair of the Civic Center building.
Forrest Longman, County Council Office, answered questions about changes to the
revenue for the Public Utilities Improvement /Economic Development Investment (EDI)
funds.
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, answered questions about the
balance of the bond payment for the 1997 -1998 refinanced bond.
Special Committee of the Whole, 10/25/2016, Page 1
1 Louws continued the presentation on the Administrative Services administration
2 budget, on page seven of Volume 2.
3
4 Bennett presented on the budget for the Finance Division of the Administrative
5 Services Department. Upcoming changes include hiring a new payroll preparer, new
6 financial information reporting projects, and budget software improvements. One of two
7 approved additional services requests (ASRs) includes the use of a building to store office
8 equipment.
9
10 Karen Goens, Administrative Services Department, presented on the budget for the
11 Human Resources Division of the Administrative Services Department. They have recently
12 undergone staff changes due to retirement. The workforce has generally been stable, but
13 it's aging. There are promotional opportunities coming up in the County. The new external
14 website, intranet, and phone system have provided better information for staff and the
15 public. Job applications are now available online. Risk management efforts would be
16 improved if there were an ability to immediately do investigations if necessary, so they've
17 requested the ability to contract for investigation in the amount of $10,000. She described
18 their civil service review for the Sheriff's Office, a request for human resources staff
19 training, and the request to purchase updated human resources software.
20
21 Councilmembers discussed and asked staff questions about the proposal to hire an
22 outside contractor for an independent review of Council staff job descriptions, how the
23 County participates in the State pension system, whether a performance review system
24 would include a 360 review, and COBRA benefits.
25
26 Perry Rice, Administrative Services Department, presented on the budget for the
27 Information Technology Division of the Administrative Services Department. He described
28 many projects completed during the 2015 -2016 biennium, including new computers,
29 network switches, telecommunications system, public website, the Assessor /Treasurer
30 servers, Auditor recording system, a new battery backup center, remote access to the jail
31 courtroom, live streaming of Council meetings, deployment of mobile devices for the
32 appraisers, an upgrade of election services, and a new enterprise backup to disc system.
33 They are working on cybersecurity issues, a new enterprise storage system, land records
34 geographic information system (V15) process, and upgrades to be compatible with a new
35 What -Comm 9 -1 -1 system and State Superior Court system.
36
37 The largest request for the new biennium is for a new permit system. They are
38 requesting better management for mobile devices. They manage the District Court and
39 Superior Court audio /visual systems. They will begin implementing the next five -year
40 computer refresh, GIS equipment for the Parks Department, the employee performance
41 software, and the Council request for the countywide agenda management software.
42
43 Councilmembers discussed and asked staff questions about a forced upgrade to the
44 Windows software, options for disposing of the old computers, not allowing employee -
45 owned devices to connect to the network, and the hold music on the phone system.
46
47 Louws presented information on the Facilities Division budget and plans for capital
48 projects. He recommends Council approve a project and operations manager for 2017 to
49 put together a long -range planning program for all the necessary capital projects and allow
50 the current manager to focus on the day -to -day operations. If necessary, they've included
51 an administrative assistant for that manager in the 2018 budget. He answered questions
52 on the number of Facilities Division staff and a project for remodeling the Council
53 Chambers.
Special Committee of the Whole, 10/25/2016, Page 2
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Schroeder referenced the additional services request information and presented on
the facilities - related ASR list for the Facilities Division.
Councilmembers and staff discussed questions about the courthouse entry x -ray
machine, dual- factor authentication for the criminal justice system, the courthouse exterior
project, and replacement of infrared cameras.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:04 p.m.
COi�hcil approved these minutes on March 21, 2017.
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Dah4 Brown0,av1s, Couqt1l Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Bar dc anan, Council Chair
Special Committee of the Whole, 10/25/2016, Page 3