ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS  -  MINUTES OF MEETING 

REGULAR SESSION  -  DECEMBER 10, 2001

 

The Board of Island County Commissioners (including Diking Improvement District #4) met in Regular Session 10 December 2001 at 9:30 a.m.,  in the   Island County Courthouse Annex Hearing Room, Coupeville, Wa., with   William F. Thorn, Chairman;  Mike Shelton, Member; and Wm. L. McDowell, Member, present.  By unanimous motion, the Board approved and signed the minutes from November 26 and December 3, 2001, regular meetings.

 

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board:    Voucher (War.)  #112714 - #113104. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. $440,161.17.

 

Hiring Requests & Personnel Actions

 

As presented by Dick Toft, Human Resource Director, the Board by unanimous motion,

approved the following personnel action authorization:  

 

Dept.               PAA #   Description          Position  #          Action              Eff. Date

Health               126/01  Project Asst.          2421.00               *New Position             1/1/02

                         *Grant Dependent – Consolidated Health Contract - DOH #C08645

 

EMPLOYEE AWARDS

 

Employee Service Awards

Junko Morrell               Treasurer’s Office                   15  years

Nancy Holbrook          Solid Waste Department             5  years 

 

Employee of the Month – November

Bob Clark, Sheriff's Office

 

APPOINTMENTS & REAPPOINTMENTS  TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES

 

The Board made the following appointment and reappointments by unanimous motion, as follows:

 

Board of Trustees, Camano Mosquito Abatement District

            Reappointments – 2 year terms to expire January 1, 2004

            Candace Lowder, Camano Island

            Roger Nelson, Camano Island

 

Island County Planning Commission

            Reappointed Anne Pringle, Freeland, to a 4-year term to 1/2/06

            Appointed  Henry Powers, Oak Harbor,  to refill vacancy created by resignation

            of E. T. Silvers,  remainder of  term to 1/2/04

 

Island Transit Board of Directors

Reappointed  County Legislative Body Representatives on Island Transit Board of

Directors effective 1/1/02:  William F. Thorn and Wm. L. McDowell. 

 

Island County Commissioner Committee  Assignments for 2002

 

The Board, by unanimous  motion, approved the County Commissioner Committee Assignments  for the year 2002, outlining the various   boards and committees each member will serve on for the year 2002, appointed by the Board, and those assignments made by resolution or mandate.

 

ResOLUTION #C-167-01 Authorizing and Increasing Petty Cash,

Change and Revolving Funds

 

The Board, as discussed with the Auditor during   Staff Session December 3rd, approved and adopted, by unanimous motion,  Resolution #C-167-01 Authorizing and Increasing Petty Cash, Change and Revolving Funds.

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF AUTHORIZING AND                     

INCREASING CERTAIN PETTY CASH, CHANGE,              RESOLUTION C-167-01

AND REVOLVING FUNDS WITHIN ISLAND COUNTY

 

            WHEREAS,  the Island County Board of County Commissioners has, by resolutions duly adopted and established petty cash funds, change funds, and revolving funds for the Island County funds and departments under its jurisdiction over a period of many years; and

 

            WHEREAS,  the adoption of  C-114-01 by the Board of Commissioners on August 27, 2001, established Policies and Procedures with respect to petty cash and change funds; and

 

            WHEREAS,  the Island County Auditor’s Office has reviewed the petty cash and change funds as shown on Exhibit A and recommends each fund be authorized as shown; NOW THEREFORE

 

            BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the fund shown on Exhibit A be authorized as shown.

 

            ADOPTED this 10th day of December, 2001.

 

                                                                                    Board of County Commissioners

                                                                                    Island County Washington

 

                                                                        William F. Thorn, Chairman

                                                                        Mike Shelton, Member

ATTEST:                                                                    Wm.  L. McDowell, Member

Elaine Marlow, Clerk of the Board

[copy of Exhibit A on file with the Clerk of the Board]                   BICC 01-791

                            

HEALTH CONTRACT APPROVED  -  #HS-11-01 (1) Catholic Community Services of Western Washington -  Chemical Dependency Treatment Services

 

The Board approved by unanimous motion, Contract #HS-11-01 (1) with Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, to increase contract amount to correct allocation dollar amounts for the 2001-2003 biennium, in an amended amount of $11,401.00, and  new total in the amount of  $555,076, contract period July 1, 2001 – June  30, 2003.

 

Resolution #C-168-01   Redistricting Island

County Commissioner Districts

 

As a follow-on to the Public Hearing held on December 3rd on  Resolution #C-137-01,   redistricting of  Island County Commissioner Districts in accordance with RCW 29.70.100, the Board considered now a proposed resolution  in the matter of matter of Redistricting Island County Commissioner Districts Pursuant to RCW 29.70.100.  As explained at last week’s hearing by  David L. Jamieson, Jr.., Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney,  the Board was not to adopt an actual redistricting plan for  at least one week.  

 

By unanimous motion, the Board adopted Resolution #C-168-01 in the matter of redistricting Island County Commissioner Districts, adopting the redistricting plan of the Island County Commissioner Electoral  Districts attached as Exhibit A.

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF REDISTRICTING       )    

ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONER             )    RESOLUTION NO. C-168-01

DISTRICTS PURSUANT TO RCW 29.70.100)

 

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of each county to review and redistrict its county commissioner electoral districts, if necessary, based on population information from the most recent federal decennial census;

 

WHEREAS, the federal decennial census information has been received, and the population of the commissioner districts merits amendment in accordance with RCW 29.70.100;

 

WHEREAS, a plan has been prepared through the coordinated efforts of the Island County Auditor and the Central Services Department, shown as Exhibit A attached hereto;

 

WHEREAS, the redistricting plan would move the Polnell precinct from Commissioner District No. 3 to Commissioner District No. 2, move the Penn Cove precinct from Commissioner District No. 2 to Commissioner District No. 1, and divide the current Westview and Hastie Lake precincts creating two new precincts, Fort Nugent and West Beach, with the areas covered by the new Fort Nugent and West Beach precincts being retained in Commissioner District No. 2 and the areas covered by the amended Westview and Hastie Lake precincts being moved from Commissioner District No. 2 to Commissioner District No. 1;

 

WHEREAS, the proposed redistricting plan would create county commissioner electoral districts of nearly equal population, with a population deviation between the largest and smallest district being only .9%, less than one-percent;

WHEREAS, the proposed redistricting plan meets the following required redistricting criteria:

 

·                    Each commissioner district is as nearly equal in population as possible;

·                    Each district is as compact as possible;

·                    Each district consists of a geographically contiguous area;

·                    Population data is not used for the purposes of favoring or disfavoring any racial group         or  political party; and

·                    To the extent feasible, the district boundaries coincide with existing natural boundaries          and to the extent possible preserve communities of related and mutual interests;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 29.70.100, the Board held a public hearing on December 3, 2001 on the proposed redistricting plan; NOW, THEREFORE,

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the redistricting plan of the Island County Commissioner Electoral Districts attached as Exhibit A is adopted.

 

DATED this  10 day of December, 2001.

 

                                                                 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                 ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

                                                                 William F. Thorn, Chairman

                                                                 Mike Shelton, Member

                                                                 Wm. L. McDowell, Member

Attest:     Elaine Marlow

Clerk of the Board                                                                                BICC 01-793

     [Exhibit A on file with the Clerk of the Board]

 

Resolution #C-138-01 In the Matter of Dividing and

Creating New Election Precincts

 

Following action to adopt the  redistricting plan of the Island County Commissioner Electoral  Districts, the Board by unanimous motion approved  Resolution #C-138-01, in the matter of dividing  and creating   new election precincts:  dividing Hastie  Lake and Westview precincts into four precincts, the two new election precincts  to be known as West Beach and Fort Nugent, described in Exhibits A and B of the Resolution.

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF DIVIDING AND          )    

CREATING NEW ELECTION PRECINCTS )                  RESOLUTION #C-138-01

 

 

WHEREAS, RCW 29.04.040 provides for the creating, dividing or altering of election

precincts by the Board of County Commissioners;

 

WHEREAS, Washington State statute allows a maximum of 90 voters in any one

electronic voting system precinct; and

 

WHEREAS, in redistricting County Commissioner Districts it is necessary to divide the current Hastie Lake and Westview precincts into four precincts; NOW, THEREFORE,

 

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that new election precincts known as West Beach and Fort

Nugent are created, with their respective boundaries set and the boundaries of Hastie

Lake and Westview precincts amended, as shown on Exhibits A and B, attached hereto.

 

Adopted this 10 day of December, 2001.

 

                                                            BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                            Island County, Wa.

 

                                                            William F. Thorn, Chairman

                                                            Mike Shelton, Member

                                                            Wm. L. McDowell, Member

ATTEST:

Elaine Marlow, Clark of the Board                                                        BICC 01-794

 

EXHIBIT A

Hastie Lake Precinct

 

In Section 18, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, Section 16, Township 32 N, Range 1EWM, Section 17, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM and Section 21, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, the boundary of Hastie Lake Precinct follows the below described line.  Beginning at the intersection of Van  Dam Road and Zylstra Road in Section 18, Township 32 N,

Range 1 EWM.  Continue Northerly and Easterly along the centerline of Zylstra Road to the intersection of Zylstra Road and Hastie Lake Road; Continue Easterly and Southerly along the centerline of Hastie Lake Road to the intersection of Hastie Lake Road and Hwy 20.  Thence Northeasterly along the centerline of Hwy 20 to the intersection of Hwy 20 and Monroe Landing Road.  South along the centerline of Monroe Landing Road to the Southeast corner of the Northeast quarter of Section 21, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM.  West along the south line of said quarter section to the Southwest corner of the Northeast quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section 21, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM.  Continue North along the West line to the North line of said section.  Thence West along the South lines of Section 16, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, Section 17, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM and Section 18, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM to the intersection of Van Dam Road and Zylstra Road to the point of beginning.

Westview Precinct

In Section 13, Township 32 N, Range 1 WWM,  Section 18, Township 32 N, Range 1EWM and Section 19, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, the boundary of Westview precinct follows the below described line.

Beginning at the intersection of West Beach Road and Hastie Lake Road in Section 13, Township 32 N, Range 1 WWM.   Continue West along the centerline of Hastie Lake Road to the intersection of Hastie Lake Road and Zylstra Road.  Continue Southerly and Westerly along the centerline of Zylstra Road to the intersection of Zylstra Road and Arnold Road.  Thence West to a point which is 520 feet, more or less, North of the Southwest corner of Section 19, Township 32 N, Range 1E.  Continue North along the West line of said Section to the Northwest corner of Section 19, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM.  Thence West along North line of Section 24, Township 32, Range 1WWM to the shoreline.  Continue Northerly and Easterly along the shoreline to a point West of the intersection of West Beach Road and Hastie Lake Road.  Thence East to the intersection of West Beach Road and Hastie Lake Road to the point of beginning.

 

EXHIBIT B

West Beach Precinct

In Section 13, Township 32, Range 1 WWM,  Section 7, Township 32, Range 1 EWM, Section  8, Township 32, Range 1 EWM and Section 18, Township 32, Range 1 EWM, the boundary of West Beach Precinct follows the below described line.

Beginning at the intersection of Fort Nugent Road and West Beach Road, the centerline of Fort Nugent Road also being the North line of Section 7, Township 32, Range 1 EWM;  continue East along the centerline of Fort Nugent Road to the intersection of Fort Nugent Road and Zylstra Road.  Thence Southerly and Westerly along the centerline of Zylstra Road to the intersection of Zylstra Road and Hastie Lake Road.  West along the centerline of Hastie Lake Road to the intersection of Hastie Lake Road and West Beach Road, continuing west to the shoreline.  Thence Northeasterly along the shoreline to a point which is directly West of the intersection of Fort Nugent Road and West Beach Road, continue East to the said intersection to point of beginning.

Fort Nugent Precinct

In Section 3, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, Section 8, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, Section 9, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, Section 10, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, Section 15, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, Section 16, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM and Section 17, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, the boundary of Fort Nugent Precinct follows the below described line. 

Beginning at the intersection of Hastie Lake Road and Zylstra Road on the common line between Section 17, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM and Section 18, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, continue Northerly and Easterly along the centerline of Zylstra Road to the North line of Section 8, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM; Thence East along the North line of Section 8, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, Section 9, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM and Section 10, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM to the centerline of State Highway 20.  Continue Southerly and Westerly along centerline of State Highway 20 to the intersection of State Highway 20 and Hastie Lake Road; Thence Westerly and Northerly along the centerline of Hastie Lake Road to the intersection of Zylstra Road and Hastie Lake Road to the point of beginning.  Together with the Plat of Dawn Crest, Division 1, located in Section 3, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM, as recorded under Auditor File Number 84002796 in Volume 13, Page 34 in the book of Plats, Records of Island County, Washington.  Excepting out the following: the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 9, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM.  Also excepting the West 330 feet, more or less, of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 10, Township 32 N, Range 1 EWM lying Southerly and Westerly of the Plat of West Ridge, as recorded under Auditor File Number 228325 in Volume 11, Page 17 in the book of Plats, Records of Island County, Washington. Excepting out the Plat of Harbor Vista Estates, as recorded under Auditor File Number 93022265 in Volume 13, Page 98 in the book of Plats, Records of Island County, Washington.  Also excepting out the Plat of The Heights, as recorded under Auditor File Number 95007708 in Volume 13, Page 118 in the book of Plats, records of Island County, Washington.

 

Resolution #C-169-01/R-69-01 –  Annual Road Construction Program for year 2002 and ER&R Fund Equipment Purchases 2002

 

Bill Oakes, Public Works Director, and Dick Snyder, County Engineer, presented for the Board’s approval, Resolution R-69-01 approving the  Annual Road Construction Program for year 2002 and the  ER&R Fund Equipment Purchases for 2002.  The Board had an opportunity to discuss this with staff at a recent   Staff Session.  Mr. Snyder confirmed that the Annual Construction Program – 2002 attachment now:  (1)  explains funding on multiple-funded projects; (2) adds $190,000 for  Old County Road improvement.  

 

By unanimous motion, the Board adopted  Resolution #C-169-01/R-69-01 approving the  Annual Road Construction Program for year 2002 and the  ER&R Fund Equipment Purchases for 2002. 

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTION OF )

THE ANNUAL ROAD CONSTRUCTION )    RESOLUTION #C-169-01

PROGRAM FOR THE YEAR 2002    )                R-69-01

 

            WHEREAS, it is required by RCW 36.81.130 that the Annual Road Construction Program be adopted prior to the Annual Budget; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program was  adopted at public hearing as required by law on July 16, 2001; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has reviewed the work accomplished under the current Six-Year Program to determine current needs in order to revise and extend the comprehensive road program; NOW, THEREFORE,

 

            BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the attached list of projects as selected from the aforementioned Six-year Transportation Improvement Program with 2002 Proposed Equipment Purchases by ER&R Fund be adopted.

           

            PASSED BY UNANIMOUS  VOTE AND ADOPTED this 10th day of December, 2001.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

William F. Thorn, Chairman

Mike Shelton, Member

Wm. L. McDowell, Member

ATTEST:

Elaine Marlow, Clerk of the Board

[Attached Annual Construction Program-2002 and 2002 ER&R Budget Equipment

Purchases  placed on file in the County Engineer’s Office and  the Clerk of the Board]

 

WSDOT Maintenance Facility/Patmore Pit Exchange

 

The Board on  October 22, 2001  approved a letter to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)  agreeing with their  proposal to re-bid the scaled back project for WSDOT Whidbey Maintenance Facility [WSDOT/Island County (Patmore) Land Exchange]. Mr. Oakes reported today that the State’s  re-bid resulted in four bids.    Island County Public Works originally  committed about $290,000 plus 10 acres at Patmore for this land/facility swap, and had expected to commit an additional $45,000 to $60,000; however, the  actual figure [with the new bid]  represents about  $66,000 over original estimate, to be equally split with WSDOT.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board agreed to revise the understanding with WSDOT on the bid for the Whidbey Maintenance Facility as stated by Mr. Oakes, acknowledging that Island County’s share will go up by $33,000 from  what was stated in the 10/22/01   letter. 

 

HEARING HELD:  Franchise #100(4)R, Clinton Water District 

renewal of existing water distribution system

 

As advertised, a Public Hearing was held at 10:20 a.m. to consider the request for renewal of Franchise #100(4)R by  Clinton Water District, for  existing water distribution system located in  Sec. 1, Twp. 28N., R 3E.,  Sec. 6, Twp 28N, Rge. 4E, Secs. 24/25/26/35/36, Twp. 29N., Rge 3E, Sec. 19/30/31, Twp 29N., Rge 4E. 

 

Mr. Oakes summarized from Dick Snyder’s  October 30th memorandum that the District has no plans for expansion of the current system; all departments requested to comment responded with no objection; Prosecuting Attorney’s office reviewed and approved  the documents as to form, and reviewed and approved by Risk Management.  

 

At the time of hearing, no one was present in the audience to comment either for or against said franchise renewal.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved  Franchise #100(4)R, Clinton Water District, renewal for  existing water distribution system located in  Sec. 1, Twp. 28N., R 3E.,  Sec. 6, Twp 28N, Rge. 4E, Secs. 24/25/26/35/36, Twp. 29N., Rge 3E, Sec. 19/30/31, Twp 29N., Rge 4E. 

 

HEARING HELD:  Franchise #31, Jeff Holbeck, Sewer collection system; Plat of Evergreen Acres, Div. No. 1, Camano Island

 

A Public Hearing was held at 10:25 a.m. as advertised, to consider Franchise #31, a new application, by  Jeff Holbeck for a new sewer collection system in County right-of-way in the Plat of Evergreen Acres, Div. No. 1, Sec. 30, Twp. 32N, Rge 3E., Camano Island. 

 

Mr. Oakes advised that per Mr. Snyder’s November 14th memorandum there are no plans to expand the current system; and all departments requested to comment responded with no objection; Prosecuting Attorney’s office reviewed and approved  the documents as to form, and reviewed and approved by Risk Management.  

 

At the time of hearing, no one  in the audience indicated a desire to speak either for or against the approval of franchise application as requested. 

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Franchise #31 by  Jeff Holbeck for sewer collection system, in the  Plat of Evergreen Acres, Div. No. 1, Sec. 30, Twp. 32N, Rge 3E.

 

Final SPR 079/94 Approved -   Useless Bay Village Square

 

The Board received for approval, final Site Plan Review 079/94 by  H & H Properties, Inc. for  Useless Bay Village Square, a mixed use residential-commercial project located on the south side of SR 525 and on the east side of McDonald Drive in the Useless Bay area.   Assessor Parcel Numbers R32918-502-0900, S8340-17-00998-0, S8340-10-00044-0, & S8340-10-00045-0, in the West ½ of the NW 1/4 of Section 18, Township 29 North, Range 2 East, W.M.

 

At the time of consideration, Bill Sievers and Bob Olson, representing H & H Properties,  as well as Sharon Hart,  Executive Director, EDC, were present.

 

Debra Little, Planning Manager, made the presentation on behalf of staff.  The site plan review application was granted conditional preliminary approval by the Hearing Examiner  on August 12, 1996.  Staff reviewed the application for final approval and confirmed all conditions of preliminary approval were met, and that the site plan confirms to the requirements of Final Site Plan Review in ICC 16.15 prior to December 1, 1998.  Staff recommended that the Board grant final site plan approval.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board granted  approval of Final  Site Plan Review 079/94 by  H & H Properties, Inc. for  Useless Bay Village Square, a mixed use residential-commercial project located on the south side of SR 525 and on the east side of McDonald Drive in the Useless Bay area.   Assessor Parcel Numbers R32918-502-0900, S8340-17-00998-0, S8340-10-00044-0, & S8340-10-00045-0, in the West ½ of the NW 1/4 of Section 18, Township 29 North, Range 2 East, W.M.

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Application:    Final Site Plan  SPR 079/94

Name and Address of Agent, Applicant, and Owner:

Agents, Applicants & Owners:

  William Sievers & Robert B. Olson

  H & H Properties, Inc.

  15821 SR 525

  Langley, WA 98260

Requesting The Following:   Approval of a Final Site Plan for Useless Bay Village Square, a mixed use residential-commercial project.

Upon The Following Property:   The subject parcel is located on the south side of SR 525 and on the east side of McDonald Drive in the Useless Bay area on south Whidbey Island, Island County, Washington, in the West ½ of the NW 1/4 of Section 18, Township 29 North, Range 2 East, W.M.  (Assessor Parcel Numbers R32918-502-0900, S8340-17-00998-0, S8340-10-00044-0, & S8340-10-00045-0)

Island County Staff Recommendation:   Approval for recording.

Director’s Approval

Phillip Bakke, Director

Planning and Community Development Department

Board of Island County Commissioner Decision:

 

APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of December, 2001.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

William F. Thorn, Chairman

Mike Shelton, Member

Wm. L. McDowell, Member

 

ATTEST:   Elaine Marlow,  Clerk of the Board

 

PUBLIC HEARING  SCHEDULED:   Resolution  #C-170-01 (PLG-031-01)

Amending Island County Building Permit Valuation Schedule

 

As presented by Phil Bakke, Planning and Community Development Director,  the Board by unanimous  motion, scheduled a public hearing to consider Resolution  #C-170-01 (PLG-031-01) in the matter of amending the Island County Building Permit Valuation Schedule on  December 24, 2001 at 9:40 a.m.

 

Hearing Held – Island County 2002 Budget Adoption

 

A Public Hearing was held at 1:30 p.m., continued from December 3, 2001, to consider the following 2002 Island County Budget Resolutions:

 

Res. C-142-01 Fixing and Adopting the Final Budgets for Island County Current Expense Fund, Special Revenue Funds, and Diking District #4 Fund for Fiscal Year 2002

Res. C-143-01 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2002 for the County Current Expense Levy

Res. C-144-01 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2002 for the County Roads Levy

Res. C-145-01 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2002 for the County Conservation Futures Levy

 

A number of County Elected Officials,  Appointed Department Heads and staff attended the hearing.   Rick Levine, Whidbey News  Times, was present. 

 

As agreed at the December 3rd hearing,  based on  projected shortfall in the 2002 budget,  the Chairman sent a Memorandum to  Elected Officials and Appointed Department Heads requesting for Current Expense,  submittal of a  proposed budget reduction of 6% for planning purposes using the Budget Director’s new data sheet,  not submitted budgets.   Those submittals were tallied by the Budget Director, and a summary sheet provided today as a hand-out, with the submitted budget cuts totaling $822,820, resulting in  expenditures after proposed  reductions in the amount  of $17,404,241.00.

 

Chairman Thorn noted that some cuts proposed were very draconian  and would cut way into the bone in several cases; in other cases some of the smaller departments just had nothing to reduce.    A quick review shows a net   difference of  $281,000 deficit without use of any reserve.  He suggested considering, using the deficit figure $281,000 which includes doubling line  #82:  

 

1.       Restore $220,000 of proposed cuts

2.       Consider  $50,000 on the expenditure for equipment reserve fund for replacements

3.       Decide amount of reserves to use -  $500,000 - $600,000 [absolute maximum]

 

Using today’s  hand-out from the Budget Director,  the Board went  through each line item and accepted or rejected  the proposed cuts initially, coming back to those with questions for  further review.  The result was that all proposed cuts were accepted this round, except the following:

 

Coroner:  Proposed $10,247 reduction from M&O too drastic;  with the  small office, and the  uncertainty of the number of autopsies for 2002,  the Board did not make that cut.

 

Sheriff:   Proposed reduction  $282,000.  The  Board felt this was one of the last

areas to cut, would equate to 5 deputies and was not willing to make that deep a cut and reduced  that to $60,000.

 

The Chairman commented on the proposal submitted from   Maintenance, which includes cost saving proposals.  The Chair  was  impressed with what was  proposed and acknowledged the need to remind  departments to continue to do their part to save energy.  Some of the ideas will initially take some  investment to realize any savings, and some would be part of the remodel  - not a 2002 savings or part of the  $18,965 proposed reduction.  He asked that Paul Messner bring his  shopping list of other ways to save money to a future staff session for discussion.

 

 

 

 

Greg Banks, Prosecuting Attorney, reflected that his proposed cut was $91,167  representing 6% reduction. He recalled  that last week departments  were told cut 6%  or the Board would do it for them; however,  there are a number who did not take a  6% cut and he felt that the Planning Department and Prosecuting Attorney were  taking a  disproportionate hit and not getting a fair  shake, and gave a couple of examples.     Animal  control is shown at  $169,000, and he questioned was that  more important than prosecuting the crimes they will not be able to  prosecute anymore? 

 

Commissioner McDowell’s personal opinion was that departments like the Prosecuting Attorney who take the big hit this year  would be last to take a hit  next year, and should things turn around next year, the Prosecutor’s office and others who participated in the 6% reduction would be the  first to get additional funding.  He suggested  that a year from now the animal control dollar figure would be right on the line for being cut significantly, and he would not support another  cut to the Prosecutor’s budget  next  year

 

The Chairman was not prepared to make  guarantees for next year, and Commissioner McDowell acknowledged it probably was not smart to make any promises.

 

Chairman Thorn noted having gone  through a good experience with folks  coming forward with some great ideas to make government more efficient, and  make the  county more efficient.  The Commissioners have seen a real  team approach in trying  to solve  this problem.  He invited and  welcomed Elected Officials and Department Heads to come forward with any further ideas at next Monday’s budget hearing.

 

The Budget Director will provide on Monday a new worksheet.  Preliminary calculations show coming within about  $13,000 to $15,000  of having a balanced budget,  using $600,000 from reserve, and without consideration of initiating a $50,000 equipment replacement fund.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board continued the public hearing  on  the following budget resolutions to December 17, 2001, at 1:30 p.m.:

 

Res. C-142-01 Fixing and Adopting the Final Budgets for Island County Current Expense Fund, Special Revenue Funds, and Diking District #4 Fund for Fiscal Year 2002

 

Res. C-143-01 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2002 for the County Current Expense Levy

 

Res. C-144-01 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2002 for the County Roads Levy

 

Res. C-145-01 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2002 for the County Conservation Futures Levy

 

There being no further business to come before the Board at this  time, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.    The Board will meet in Regular Session on December 17, 2001, at 9:30 a.m.

 

 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

______________________________

William F. Thorn,  Chairman

 

_____________________________

Mike Shelton,  Member 

 

_____________________________

Wm. L. McDowell,  Member

 

 

ATTEST: