HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2020-022Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2020-252
File ID: AB2020-252 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 06/09/2020 Entered by: DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Final Action: 06/16/2020
Agenda Date: 06/16/2020 Enactment #: RES 2020-022
Primary Contact Email: RBrowne@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution inviting other local jurisdictions to collaborate to improve efficiency for the benefit of our
taxpayers
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Resolution inviting other local jurisdictions to collaborate to improve efficiency for the benefit of our
taxpayers
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
Action:
Sent To:
06/16/2020 Council Committee of the Whole RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL
Aye: 7 Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Elenbaas, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
06/16/2020 Council APPROVED
Aye: 7 Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Elenbaas, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 611712020
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2020-252)
Attachments: Resolution
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 611712020
PROPOSED BY: BROWNE
INTRODUCTION DATE: JUNE 16, 2020
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-022
INVITING OTHER LOCAL JURISDICTIONS TO COLLABORATE
TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR TAXPAYERS
WHEREAS, most, if not all, local governments within Washington State are predicting
significant revenue shortfalls which is placing them under significant financial stress; Whatcom
County is one of them; and
WHEREAS, all local governments within Whatcom County are looking at ways to maintain,
even increase, certain services to our communities at the same time as we are being forced to
reduce costs to balance our budgets; and
WHEREAS, some government functions have already been consolidated and managed by
one branch of government because it is more efficient, providing better services at reduced cost
than it would if each jurisdiction duplicated the same function (Existing examples are Treasury
management, Jail services, and the Health Department); and
WHEREAS, it IS worth exploring to see if it may make sense to consolidate further
government functions such as cyber security / IT, equipment/materials procurement, financial
software systems, etc.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council respectfully
requests the participation of the Councilmembers from the Cities of Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale,
Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack and Everson, and the Lummi and Nooksack Tribal Councils to join us to
explore opportunities to further collaborate and increase the value of the services offered by each
of us at equal or less cost than we are doing presently.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council respectfully requests the
County Executive to hire a facilitator with financial management experience to conduct research on
ideas successfully employed in other counties and use these as an agenda to lead a series of six
joint council discussions, and present a report with a list of joint councils' recommendations for
possible areas for collaboration, no later than October 31St 2020.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, as the fiscal crisis we are now facing is a direct consequence
of COVID-19 the Council respectfully recommends the cost of which should be paid for by a portion
of the CARES Act. funding.
l�0` TtDqM � day of June 2020.
a'
erg 9 ��� P C 0
ATTEST,---)�� WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
"~ 4. --.WHATC0m COUNTY WASHINGTON
c =--
Dan—a--B o—Wn i5,5�is,•° I ^" .bf the Council
APPROVr`QsAS TOvFORM'-,,:
Civil Deputy Prosecut r
Y Ba ry uchanan, Council Chair
\/ I e M