HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2020-026Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
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' Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2020-294
File ID: AB2020-294 Version: 1 Status: Approved as Amended
File Created: 07/07/2020 Entered by: DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Final Action: 07/07/2020
Agenda Date: 07/07/2020 Enactment #: RES 2020-026
Primary Contact Email: DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution supporting the Executive's Budget Goals for 2021-2022
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Resolution supporting the Executive's Budget Goals for 2021-2022
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
Action:
07/07/2020 Council APPROVED AS AMENDED
Aye: 4 Browne, Buchanan, Donovan, and Frazey
Nay: 2 Byrd, and Elenbaas
Absent: 1 Kershner
Attachments: Resolution as amended 7.7.2020
Sent To:
Whatcom County Page t Printed on 71812020
PROPOSED BY: BUCHANAN, DONOVAN
INTRODUCTION DATE: JULY 7, 2020
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-026
SUPPORTING THE EXECUTIVE'S BUDGET GOALS FOR 2021-22
WHEREAS, Section 2.20 of the Whatcom County Charter gives the County Council the
power to levy taxes, appropriate revenue, and adopt budgets for the County; and
WHEREAS, Section 3.22 of the Whatcom County Charter gives the Executive the power
and duty to prepare and present budgets to the County Council; and
WHEREAS, Section 6.20 of the Whatcom County Charter requires all agencies of County
government to submit to the County Executive information necessary to prepare the budget at
least one hundred thirty-five (135) days prior to the end of the budget cycle; and
WHEREAS, Section 6.10 of the Whatcom County Charter requires the County Executive
to present a complete budget and budget message to the County Council at least seventy-five
(75) days prior to the end of each budget cycle; and
WHEREAS, Section 6.10 of the Whatcom County Charter requires that the County
Council shall adopt appropriation, tax and revenue ordinances for the next budget cycle at least
thirty (30) days prior to the end of the budget cycle; and
WHEREAS, the Executive intends to present Budget recommendations to County Council
in October 2020; and
WHEREAS, given these deadlines enshrined in the County Charter, Council has
somewhat limited time to amend budgets after October 2020; and
WHEREAS, on May 15, 2020, the Executive provided Council his 2021-2022
Administrative Budget Priorities, listing the Executive's overarching goals for the 2021-22
budget cycle, and asked Council for its feedback; and
WHEREAS, the budget process may be more efficient if the Council informs the
Executive about Council's agreement with the Executive's overarching goals for the 2021-22
budget cycle prior to releasing budget instructions to agencies of County government, and prior
to the Executive making final budget decisions in September of 2020;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council supports the Executive's following
overarching goals for the 2021-22 budget cycle:
• Take prudent steps to safeguard the long-term financial stability of County finances.
• Maintain a reasonable level of service to provide the best possible services to our
constituents by maintaining County workforce teams.
• Maintain County assets and seek opportunities to improve operational efficiencies of
overall County operations.
• Continue to support our Public Health system as we respond to the COVID 19 pandemic.
• Continue to support the Regional Economic Partnership (ADO office) Economic
Development programs.
• Develop reasonable Capital Project Budgets for the long-term needs of Whatcom
County.
• Continue Countywide initiatives to improve Housing Affordability, Wetlands Mitigation
strategy, and Climate Change Mitigation.
• Facilitate WRIA 1 policy and planning for all stakeholders.
• Prepare an addendum for General Fund, and other funds reliant on General Fund
transfers, that includes a prioritized targeted list of cost reduction proposals totaling
20% of the unrestricted revenue.
• Prioritized available funding for the benefit of children and families.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council has additional goals and priorities that will also
send to the Executive.
APPRQVE)D'ftsij7,th day of July
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Approved via Email / KF / LB
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
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Baoyc—han n, Council Chair