ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - MINUTES OF MEETING
DECEMBER
2, 2003
The
Board of Island County Commissioners (including Diking Improvement District #4)
met in Regular Session on December 2, 2002,
at 9:30 a.m. in the Law &
Justice Facility, Department III (Courtroom 3), 101 N.E. 6th Street,
Coupeville, Wa. Mike Shelton,
Chairman; Wm. L. McDowell, Member,
and William F. Thorn, Member, were
present. By unanimous motion, the Board
approved and signed the minutes from
regular meeting held on November 25, 2002.
VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
The following
vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board,
including the approval of November payroll:
Voucher (War.) #'s 154711-154840. . .. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 254,595.00
Veterans
Assistance Fund: [emergency financial assistance to certain eligible veterans; the names and specific
circumstances are maintained confidential].
V2-13 burial expenses $4615.34. RCW 73.08.070
allows for use of the fund to pay for
burial expenses “…not to exceed the limit established by the county legislative
authority nor less than $300”. Service
Officer recommends approval. Three of
five members of the Veterans Assistance Review Committee recommended
denial of the claim as submitted. Although the cost is supported by an actual invoice, cost seems excessive; could not identify where the
Commissioners set upper limit.
Commissioner Thorn was of the
opinion that rather than setting an
upper limit, it should be case-unique.
Gerald K. Pfannenstiel, Veterans Community Services Coordinator,
Department of Veterans Affairs, Oak Harbor, spoke on behalf of the claimant and
provided further information and
explanation in this case. By unanimous
motion, the Board deferred action on the Claim until next Monday, pending
further review by the Service Officer.
V2-15 approved by unanimous motion of the Board as recommended by the VARC in the amount of $670.00.
Hiring Requests
& Personnel Actions
As presented by
Dick Toft, Human Resource Director, the Board by unanimous motion, approved the
following personnel action authorizations:
Dept.
PAA # Description/Position # Action Eff. Date
Pub. Works 091/02
Acct Supervisor 2209.00
Replacement 12/2/02
GSA 092/02 Pub.
Defense Asst. 1902.00
Replacement 12/2/02
& Reduce Hours
Clerk 093/02 Chief Dep. Clerk 501.00
Replacement 12/2/02
Application
for Special Occasion Liquor License #092151 by Camano Senior & Community
Center
Based
on favorable review and recommendation
by the Island County Sheriff and Health Department, the Board by
unanimous motion, approved Application
for Special Occasion Liquor License #092151 by Camano Senior &
Community Center for Special Occasion to be held December 31, 2002 to Midnight, at the Camano Senior & Community Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island, Wa.
Liquor
License Application #359811-3C Pizza Factory, 947 W. Ault Field Road, Oak
Harbor, Wa. - correction
The Board
approved, by unanimous motion, having received recommendation of approval by
the Sheriff, correction to Liquor
License Application #359811-3C Pizza Factory, 947 W. Ault Field Road, Oak
Harbor, Wa., as submitted by the Washington State Liquor Control Board,
adding applicants.
Resolution
#C-107-02 Proclaiming December 2002 as National Drunk & Drugged Driving
Prevention Awareness Month
A
Proclamation came before the Board for adoption, requested by Jo Hellman,
Impaired Driving Impact Panel of Island County [IDIPIC] to proclaim December
2002 as National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Awareness Month.
Sheriff
Mike Hawley and Deputy Lane Campbell were in the audience supportive of the
Board adopting the Proclamation, and to accept the Proclamation on behalf of
IDIPIC. It was the Sheriff’s
suspicion that in Island County and the
U.S. drunk driving probably has been
the number one cause of death, and talked about the grant-funded DUI
enforcement patrols that will be out during this holiday season Deputy Campbell further addressed the
efforts in this arena, all focused on trying to keep people safe.
By
unanimous motion, the Board adopted
Resolution #C-107-02 in the matter of proclaiming December 2002 as
National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Awareness Month.
PROCLAMATION
BEFORE THE BOARD OF ISLAND COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF PROCLAIMING }
DECEMBER
2002 AS NATIONAL } RESOLUTION #C- 107-02
DRUNK & DRUGGED DRIVING }
PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH }
WHEREAS, the holidays bring joy in celebrations with family and friends and neighbors, but with those celebrations, also brings a tragic increase in the incidence of impaired driving; and
WHEREAS,
despite many efforts by communities and citizen groups to stop drunk and
drugged driving, many of our citizens mistakenly continue to view impaired
driving as acceptable conduct, thereby needlessly threatening our families, friends, co-workers and
neighbors; and
WHEREAS, there were
281 people killed in DUI-related
crashes in Washington State in 2001, an increase from the year before, and people continue to be injured and killed
each year on Washington State, Island County, City and Town roads, from alcohol
and/or other drug related crashes; and
WHEREAS, over half of
the 1,000-plus motor vehicle crashes in unincorporated Island County in 2001
were DUI-related; and
WHEREAS, all drivers
risk impairment when consuming alcohol or other drugs, whether legal,
over-the-counter and prescription medications or illegal substances; and
WHEREAS, the Impaired
Driving Impact Panel of Island County [IDIPIC] considers its highest priority
to be the protection of citizens from hazards such as impaired driving, and
recognizes that designating sober drivers, stopping impaired family members and
friends from getting behind the wheel, reporting impaired drivers to law
enforcement officials, and teaching our young people safe alcohol and drug
free driving behavior, are valuable
weapons against the battle of impaired driving during the holiday season and
throughout the coming year, thereby helping to make our roads safer for all;
and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
that the Board of Island County Commissioners join Impaired Driving Impact
Panel of Island County, and proclaim December, 2002, as DRUNK & DRUGGED DRIVING
PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH, and urge citizens of Island County to designate sober drivers, encourage safe
rides activities and participate in public awareness
and enforcement campaigns to prevent
impaired driving.
PROCLAIMED and ADOPTED
this 2nd day of December, 2002.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Mike
Shelton, Member
Wm.
L. McDowell, Member
ATTEST: William
F. Thorn, Member
Elaine
Marlow, Clerk of the Board
Resolution #C-108-02 Amending Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Section 2.01.073(H) –
reducing lump sum travel allowance
in lieu of actual expenses to
County Commissioners
Resolution
#C-108-02 Amending Personnel Policies and
Procedures Manual Section 2.01.073(H),
reducing lump sum travel allowance in lieu of actual expenses to County
Commissioners, a follow-on action as a result of recent budget workshops.
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL )
SECTION 2.01.073(H) PROVIDING LUMP SUM ) Resolution No. C-108-02
WHEREAS,
RCW 42.24.090 provides, in pertinent part, that counties may
prescribe by resolution the amounts to be paid officers or employees thereof,
as reimbursement to such officers or employees, in lieu of actual expenses
incurred for travel expenses; and
WHEREAS,
Island County Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual
section 2.01.073(H), in accordance with adoption of Resolution Number C-130-00
dated December 11, 2000, established the rate of reimbursement of actual
expenses paid to County Commissioners for their use of their privately owned
vehicles for County business at of $600.00 per month; and
WHEREAS,
due to the current and pending financial shortfall facing Island County, the
Board of County Commissioners has elected to reduce the current rate of
reimbursement from $600.00 to $500.00 per month; NOW THEREFORE,
BE
IT HEREBY RESOLVED that, effective January 1, 2003, Island County Personnel
Policies and Procedures Manual section 2.01.073(H), be amended to read as
follows:
H.
Travel Allowance – Any member of the
Board of County Commissioners of Island County, Washington, may elect to
receive in lieu of actual expenses incurred for use of his/her private vehicle
for County business conducted within the County, and in lieu of the use of a
County car, a lump sum payment in the amount of six hundred dollars
($600.00) five hundred dollars ($500.00) monthly. Additionally, reimbursement for County
business conducted outside the County may be applied for in the prescribed
manner, provided such claim shall be duly certified by the County Commissioner
submitting such claim on forms and in the manner prescribed by the Division of
Municipal Corporations in the office of the State Auditor, in accordance with Section
2.01.075.
Material
lined through is being deleted and material underlined is being added.
ADOPTED
this 2 day of December, 2002.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ISLAND
COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Mike Shelton, Chairman
Wm. L. McDowell, Member
William
F. Thorn, Member
ATTEST:
Elaine
Marlow, Clerk of the Board
HEALTH CONTRACTS APPROVED
By unanimous
motion, the Board approved two contracts on behalf of the Island County Health
Department:
Department of Health
Consolidated Contract #Contract #C08645,
Amendment 9 in the amount of
$2,875 for new contract total $889,517 [approved by the Board of Health on 11/18/2002]; and
Center for Community
Support-Developmental Disabilities Contract #HS-09-01(2) amendment #2 in the
amount of $4,600 for total new contract
amount $723,340.
PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD: ISLAND COUNTY BUDGET
A
Public Hearing, as scheduled and advertised, was held for the purpose of
considering adoption of the Island
County Budget, the public hearing specifically addressing four proposed
resolutions:
·
Resolution C-87 -02
Fixing and Adopting the Final Budgets for Island County Current Expense Fund,
Special Revenue Funds, and Diking District #4 Fund for Fiscal Year 2003
·
Resolution C- 88 -02
Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in
Fiscal Year 2003 for the County Current Expense Levy
·
Resolution C- 89 -02 Increasing the Taxing
District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2003 for the
County Roads Levy
·
Resolution C- 90 -02
Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in
Fiscal Year 2003 for the County Conservation Futures Levy
The
Budget Director’s prior memo outlined
some of the changes made since the last budget workshop was held, and Ms. Marlow
elaborated on some of the more major changes:
·
Assessor’s
Office narrowed down the banked levy capacity to a final number
resulting in
about a $32,800 change to the bottom
line
·
Property
insurance number finalized at $16,722
·
Reduction
in the amount of jail salaries by $12,376 due to recent turnover in personnel
Public Comments
Joyce Kasperson, Commissioners
Administrative Assistant, Camano Annex,
read a prepared memorandum into the record [complete copy on file]
asking for consideration of the following before adopting the budget:
·
Impact
of elimination of DOL at the Camano
Annex which would directly affect,
5, 000+ citizens;
·
Does
not make sense to eliminate a service so widely used by so many people;
the
public overwhelmingly is displeased
with the proposal to eliminate the
service;
·
Eliminating
DOL will not be cost effective for the Commissioners Office at the Camano
Annex.
·
Fees
collected for DOL support at least 1-1/3 positions and pays for other services provided to the public for other departments;
·
Consider
the revenue earned by staff considered as revenue for the Camano Annex as well as just compensation from the other
departments for services provided.
·
In an effort to keep all
services and DOL at the Camano Annex, consider adding back a 20-hour a week
position for $15,100.
Greg Banks, Prosecuting Attorney, read
from a prepared text of comments at public hearing on adoption of 2003 budget [full copy on file]. He mentioned that he had already advised the
Board of the impacts of cutting 1 of 6
criminal deputy prosecutors. He is
willing to do everything he can to emphasize the prosecution of the most violent crimes and DUIs, with reduced staff,
and expected County departments would feel the first impacts of reduced staff,
as he will assign portions of a
criminal caseload to the civil deputy.
He was aware that over the last four months the County came into a
“windfall” of over $113,000, money that
went uncollected because reports were not filed timely, some
$27,000 were checks issued as
reimbursement and forfeiture sharing to the Sheriff’s Office; and about $9,000 of uncashed checks will never be recovered because of
the statute of limitations expired. Mr. Banks clarified that he bore no ill will
toward the Sheriff, administrative
staff or deputies in the field and was making no criticism of the high
quality police work done by the
Sheriff’s deputies.
Given the size of the hole in the
County’s budget, $113,000 is a significant amount and the Board should plug it into the priorities as established and account to the public how it will be used to further
the County’s mission. He thought that there
was good argument to be made that the
Prosecutor’s Office should not be required to eliminate a position. If
public safety is the top priority, the
Board must acknowledge that each criminal deputy prosecutor supports around
12 law enforcement officers, and the Prosecutor does not carry unfilled positions that can be eliminated
without seriously compromising ability to do the job.
Mike Hawley, Sheriff, responded to
indicate that he had spoken with the Board about the matter, and met with the
Press months’ ago and explained everything. If there is a
problem, he thought it was with the way the County is financed, and it seems
the County is constantly on the verge of bankruptcy. His Office has so few clerical staff, and for the sake of public safety and law enforcement, he has
taken all his people and put them on the street to answer calls. In
1990 the Department handled
9,000 E-911 calls, and this year approximately
30,000.
Tom Baenen, Island County Assessor,
commented to clarify an article in the newspaper something in the paper: as a result of the action the Board is
taking, the actual increase to a
taxpayer this year will be instead
of 77 7 cents to the general fund, will
be 84.1 cents [other counties on
average is about $1.23]. It is not the
big increase one might believe from reading the article; it is 5% in dollars but
6 cents in the tax rate per
$1,000: from 77.7 cents to 84.1
cents which will be the actual increase to the taxpayer.
Commissioner Thorn endorsed Ms.
Kasperson’s comments entirely, and believed her alternative made sense, one
that would allow the DOL function to stay at the Camano Annex, as he stated
previously on several occasions. Regarding the comments about an over
“$113,000 windfall” and the potential use thereof, he reminded that a year ago
the County had to use $737,000 from reserves; with that figure now at $500,000
or less, which for an 18 million dollar budget is not sufficient nor
appropriate by any rational management
judgment, and needs to be rebuilt if there is any “windfall”. He did believe that it was a complete
misrepresentation to characterize the County as being virtually bankrupt.
Commissioner McDowell emphasized the
fact that the County was not on the verge of
Bankruptcy. Yes, some cuts had to be made which will be
realized through department reductions and less service provided.
Chairman Shelton recalled that it
was during one of the initial budget
workshops that resulted in one reason the Board considered cutting the
licensing aspect at Camano
Annex, which was that Ms.
Kasperson had commented that a
significant portion of her time and staff time was used for the sale of
license tabs. Even if Camano Annex
retained a portion of the $3.00 the County receives in revenue for performing
the license service, it would really be taking money out of the same pot,
Current Expense. He recognized that
people of Camano Island find it very convenient to purchase tabs at the Camano
Annex, but also recognized the possibility of eliminating $40,000 from the
Current Expense budget. Eliminating
licensing at Camano Annex results in asking Camano Islanders to do the same
thing people on South Whidbey have done for 30 years: go to a subcontractor on
South Whidbey to purchase license tabs, travel to Coupeville to purchase the
tabs, or mail in for the price of a stamp.
The same is true for folks on North Whidbey who can go to a licensing
subagent to purchase tabs, drive to Coupeville, or mail in.
When the issue of reports not having been filed in a timely manner was brought to the
attention of the Board, it was not as
if the Board did nothing. There was
conversation with the Sheriff and Chief Civil Deputy, and the Board was assured
that this issue would be corrected.
He pointed out that the County, through other funds [i.e. Road Fund,
Planning & Community Development fees, etc.] was financing a civil deputy, and down the line important for
auditing in the future.
Board Action
Commissioner
Thorn moved that the Board approve Resolution #C-87-02 in the matter of Fixing
and Adopting the Final Budgets for Island County Current Expense Fund, Special
Revenue Funds, and Diking District #4 Fund for Fiscal Year 2003. Motion was seconded by Commissioner
McDowell.
Under
discussion, Commissioner Thorn indicated that while he supported the budget, he
was very offended that the Board could not support Camano Island better.
To
the contrary, Commissioner McDowell believed the Board did support Camano.
Camano Islanders will be able to purchase tabs through a subagent, the same
alternatives as citizens of North Whidbey and South Whidbey have. If the $40,000 were available, his priority
probably would be to fund a deputy prosecutor rather than restoring the DOL
function to the Annex.
Commissioner
Thorn reminded that there had been a
budget-neutral proposal
presented previously, which was to close the Annex on Fridays and retain
the DOL licensing function.
Commissioner McDowell disagreed with that, feeling it important to keep
the Annex open five days’ a week.
Chairman
Shelton observed that long before he became a County Commissioner, the Board recognized that because of
the remoteness from the Courthouse,
services should be provided on Camano Island so that people would not have to
drive all the way to Coupeville to conduct County business. If the County had not experienced the
budget shortfall he would not have recommended moving the DOL function from the
Annex. However, he thought it unfair to
say Camano Islanders are being
short-changed when in fact they have an
Annex provided on Camano Island.
Motion,
as made and seconded, carried
unanimously adopting Resolution #C-87-02.
By
unanimous motion, the Board adopted Resolution #C- 88 -02 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior
Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2003 for the County Current
Expense Levy.
By
unanimous motion, the Board adopted Resolution #C- 89 -02 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for
Collection in Fiscal Year 2003 for the County Roads Levy.
By
unanimous motion, the Board adopted
Resolution #C- 90 -02 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount
for Collection in Fiscal Year 2003 for the County Conservation Futures Levy.
BEFORE THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF ISLAND
COUNTY WASHINGTON
|
THE FINAL BUDGETS FOR ISLAND COUNTY |
) |
RESOLUTION
C- 87-02 |
|
CURRENT
EXPENSE FUND, SPECIAL REVENUE |
) |
|
|
FUNDS,
AND DIKING DISTRICT #4 FUND FOR |
) |
|
|
FISCAL
YEAR 2003 |
) |
|
WHEREAS,
Chapter 36.40 RCW provides for the development, presentation,
consideration and fixing of the final budgets for each County fund by the Board
of County Commissioners, and
WHEREAS, several public meetings
(Island County budget workshops) have been held with each county department and
regarding each county fund, special revenue fund, and Diking District #4 to
consider estimated 2003 revenues and expenditures, all open to citizen input
and comment, and
WHEREAS, all input, suggestions,
requests, and other considerations have been weighed by the Board of County
Commissioners resulting in the following 2003 Preliminary Exhibits. Exhibit A, budget summaries; Exhibit B,
Overhead Allocation schedule; Exhibit C, Position Listing, and Exhibit D,
detailed revenue and expenditure
budgets are hereby placed on file in the office of the Island County Budget
Director where they are available for public inspection at the office during
normal office hours; NOW THEREFORE
BE
IT RESOLVED, that the Board of County Commissioners has reviewed these
preliminary budgets in public meetings, and sets a public hearing for fixing
and adopting the 2003 Island County Current Expense Fund, Special Revenue Funds
and Diking District #4 Fund Budgets on December 2, 2002 at 9:50 a.m.
Adopted this 4th day of November,
2002.
Board
of County Commissioners
Island
County Washington
Mike
Shelton, Chairman
Attest: Wm.
L. McDowell, Member
|
Elaine Marlow, Clerk of the Board |
William F. Thorn, Member |
IN
THE MATTER OF adopting and fixing the 2003 Budgets for all Island County Funds,
all as shown on attached exhibits including Revenue and Expenditure summaries
of the Current Expense Fund, Special Revenue Funds, and the Diking District #4
Fund, the 2003 Overhead Allocation schedule, the 2003 Position Listing schedule
and detailed budgets for all departments and funds.
ADOPTED this 2 day of December, 2002.
Board
of County Commissioners Board
of County Commissioners
Island
County Washington
Mike
Shelton, Chairman
Attest: Wm.
L. McDowell, Member
Elaine
Marlow, Clerk of the Board William
F. Thorn, Member
[Exhibits
A – D placed on file]
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF ISLAND COUNTY WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF INCREASING THE TAXING )
DISTRICT’S PRIOR YEAR’S LEVY AMOUNT ) ORDINANCE NO. C- 88 –02
FOR COLLECTION IN FISCAL YEAR 2003 )
FOR THE County CURRENT EXPENSE LEVY )
WHEREAS, the Board of Island County
Commissioners has properly given notice of the public hearing to be held on
December 2, 2002 to consider the Island County budgets for the 2003 calendar
year, pursuant to RCW 36.40.071 and RCW 84.55.120; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners,
after hearing, and after duly considering all relevant evidence and testimony
presented, has determined that a substantial need exists requiring an increase
in the County Current Expense Taxing District property tax revenue, in addition
to the increase resulting from the addition of new construction and
improvements to property and any increase in the value of state-assessed
property, in order to discharge the expected expenses and obligations of the
County Current Expense Taxing District;
and
WHEREAS,
in order to provide additional funding to meet the expected expenses and
obligations of the County by partially offsetting the long-term impact of the
loss of MVET, Sales Tax Equalization, and certain Criminal Justice funds from
the State of Washington, the Board of County Commissioners finds that a
substantial need exists requiring the use of previously banked excess tax
capacity as authorized by RCW 84.55.092; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Board of
County Commissioners that, in addition to any amount resulting from the
addition of new construction and improvements to property and any increase in
the value of state-assessed property of the County Current Expense Taxing
District, an increase in the regular property tax levy is hereby authorized for
the 2002 levy for taxes collected in 2003 in the amount of $318,372 which is a
5.8% increase from the previous year’s levy.
Said increase consists of the following two amounts: (1) $57,514 which
represents 1% (which is lower than the inflationary rate of 1.16% as
represented by the Implicit Price Deflator) of the highest allowable levy in
the previous year as authorized by RCW 84.55.010; and (2) $260,858 which
represents the use of previously banked excess tax capacity as authorized by
RCW 84.55.092.
REVIEWED on November 4, 2002, and
set for public hearing on December 2, 2002 at 9:50 a.m.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Island
County, Washington
Mike
Shelton, Chairman
Attest: Wm.
L. McDowell, Member
Elaine
Marlow, Clerk of the Board William
F. Thorn, Member
Ordinance C-88-02 is adopted this 2
day of December, 2002 following public hearing.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Island
County, Washington
Mike
Shelton, Chairman
Attest: Wm.
L. McDowell, Member
|
Elaine Marlow, Clerk
of the Board |
William F. Thorn,
Member |
BEFORE THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF ISLAND
COUNTY WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF INCREASING THE TAXING)
DISTRICT’S PRIOR YEAR’S LEVY AMOUNT ) ORDINANCE NO. C- 89-02
FOR COLLECTION IN FISCAL YEAR 2003 )
FOR THE County ROADS LEVY . )
WHEREAS, the Board of Island County
Commissioners has properly given notice of the public hearing to be held on
December 2, 2002 to consider the Island County budgets for the 2003 calendar
year, pursuant to RCW 36.40.071 and RCW 84.55.120; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County
Commissioners, after hearing, and after duly considering all relevant evidence
and testimony presented, has determined that a substantial need exists
requiring an increase in the County Roads Taxing District property tax revenue,
in addition to the increase resulting from the addition of new construction and
improvements to property and any increase in the value of state-assessed
property, in order to discharge the expected expenses and obligations of the
County Roads Taxing District; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Board of
County Commissioners that, in addition to any amounts resulting from the addition
of new construction and improvements to property and any increase in the value
of state-assessed property of the County Roads Taxing District, an increase in
the regular property tax levy is hereby authorized for the 2002 levy for taxes
collected in 2003, in the amount of $57,028 which is a percentage increase of
1% from the previous year’s levy.
REVIEWED on November 4, 2002, and
set for public hearing on December 2, 2002 at 9:50 a.m.
|
|
Board of County Commissioners |