The Board of Island County Commissioners (including Diking Improvement District #4) met in Regular Session on December 4, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. in the Island County Courthouse Annex, Hearing Room, 1 N. E. 6th Street, Coupeville, Wa. Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman, William J. Byrd, Member, and Mike Shelton, Member, were present. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. By unanimous motion, the Board approved the minutes from Regular Session held on November 27, 2006.
PAYROLL, VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
By unanimous motion, the Board approved the payroll dated November 30,. 2006, and the following vouchers/warrants: #251261 – 251479……………………………………. $367,779.34.
VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD [VAC] REAPPOINTMENTS
By unanimous motion, the Board made the following reappointments to the Veterans Advisory Board to terms expiring December 31, 2007:
Reappointment Representing
Allen Barney Disabled American Veterans (Pri)
Dave Michel Disabled American Veterans (Alt)
Teri Anania Veteran at Large (DAV/VFW)
Floyd Hawkins Veteran at Large (DAV)
Larry Irvin Retired Chief Petty Officers Assoc.(Pri)
Bill Burkow Retired Chief Petty Officers Assoc.(Pri)
Leonard McGregor Navy SeeBee Veterans of America(Pri)
Maurice Aasland Navy SeeBee Veterans of America(Alt)
Louis Bellavance Fleet Reserve Association Branch 97
Richard Christian American Legion Post 129
Robert Barber Veteran at Large (DAV/FRA)
H.F."Ben" Bunnell Veterans of Foreign Wars (Pri)
Tony Spagnolini USMC League
Thomas Aehontas American Legion Post 141 (Pri)
Bill Hughes Veterans of Foreign Wars 7482 (Pri).
Contract #HD-25-06 – Porter Group LLC – Shellfish Protection District Formation
As forwarded under transmittal memorandum from Tim L. McDonald, the Board by unanimous motion approved Contract #HD-25-06 (RM-HLTH-06-136) in the amount of $14,625 with the Porter Group LLC for consultation and oversight services under supervision of the Board of Island County Commissioners for the formation of a shellfish protection district for southern Holmes Harbor.
Resolution #C-121-06 Proclamation Acknowledging Oak Harbor Wildcats Football Team - Washington State 4A Champions
The Board by unanimous motion approved Resolution #C-121-06, a Proclamation In the Matter of
Acknowledging Accomplishments of the Oak Harbor Wildcats Football Team as Washington State 4A
Champions at the WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington Gridiron Classic held at the Tacoma Dome
December 2, 2006. The Proclamation recognizes and congratulates all members of the Oak Harbor Wildcats Football Team and Coach Dave Ward on this outstanding and history-making achievement.
[Resolution #C-121-06 on file with the Clerk of the Board]
Island County Commissioners – Committee Assignments - 2007
By unanimous motion, the Board approved the annual Commissioner Committee assignments for 2007 as follows:
BOARD APPOINTED
Board/Committee Commissioner
Ebey's Landing Nat'l. Historic Preserve Trust Board (County liaison) Shelton
Economic Development Council Dean
Courthouse Security Dean
ICOM 911 McDowell (Alt. Dean)
Law & Justice Council Shelton
LEOFF I Disability Board Shelton
North Sound Connecting Communities Project (Farmhouse Gang) Shelton
North Sound Regional Support Network Shelton (Dean Alternate)
Northwest Clean Air Agency McDowell (Tim McD. Alt)
Northwest Regional Council McDowell & Dean
Oak Harbor Senior Center Advisory Board McDowell
Opportunity Council Dean
Public Transportation Benefit Authority (PTBA) McDowell & Dean
Regional Transportation Policy Organization (RTPO) Shelton/McDowell/Dean
Senior Services Advisory Board (County liaison) Shelton (Dean Alternate)
Solid Waste Advisory Board Dean
Technology Committee Dean (McDowell alternate)
Washington Counties Risk Pool Shelton (Betty Kemp, Alternate)
Appointed by Resolution/Mandate or Other
Board of Health, Island County McDowell /Shelton /Dean
Compensation Board, DES Chairman
Council of Governments, Island County McDowell/ Shelton /Dean
Election Canvassing Board Chairman
Finance Committee Chairman
Higher Education Coordinating Board Shelton
Joint Administration Committee on Tourism (2nd 2% Committee) Chairman
Justice Court Districting Committee Chairman
Law Library Board of Trustees Chairman
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (2% Committee) Chairman
Marine Resources Advisory Council Chairman
Mental Health Task Force, Governor's Executive Shelton
NAS Whidbey Task Force McDowell
Northwest Workforce Development Council Dean
Oak Harbor Senior Center Advisory Board McDowell
Washington State Board of Health Shelton
Washington State Building Code Council McDowell
Wash. Counties Insurance Fund Board of Directors McDowell (Alt. Larry Larson)
WSAC Board of Directors Shelton
WSAC Legislative Steering Committee Shelton
PUBLIC HEARINGS: ISLAND COUNTY BUDGET
At 9:50 a.m., the Chairman opened a Public Hearing to consider the following Resolution and three Ordinances related to adopting the 2007 Island County budget:
· Resolution #C- 114 -06 Adopting the Island County Budget and Diking District No. 4 Budget for Fiscal Year 2007
· Ordinance #C- 115 -06 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2007 for the County Current Expense Levy
· Ordinance #C- 116 -06 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2007 for the County Road Levy
· Ordinance #C- 117 -06 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2007 for the County Conservation Futures Levy
Resolution #C- 114 -06 Adopting the Island County Budget and Diking District No. 4 Budget for Fiscal Year 2007
Elaine Marlow, Budget Director, outlined the budget process which began in July. The Board held a number of budget workshops in September and October to listen to Elected Officials and Appointed Department Heads with respect to requirements to operate those departments in 2007, and to consider supplemental requests. The total budget, including the general fund, is $68.5 million, a modest 2 increase overall. The general fund is $23.9 million, about a 3% increase over the current year. Approximately 51% goes to fund law and justice activities. A large increase is in salaries, wages and benefits associated with higher State retirement costs up almost two full points, plus 7 to 10% increase in medical premiums.
The revenue picture has improved through increasing interest rates. The Board kept fund balances
high, enabling the County to earn significant interest revenue. The tax levy ordinance is based on taking only new construction for the general fund and not the 1% statutory increase the Board could have taken. Supplemental requests for 2007 totaled over 1 million and the Board was able to include in the budget $597,000 to fund those requests. There are a couple staffing increases, for example, a new accountant in the Auditor’s Office and a new maintenance tech to help with increasingly complex technology to operate county facilities.
On motion of Commissioner Shelton, seconded by Commissioner Byrd and carried unanimously, the Board voted to make a minor change to include in the 2007 current expense budget a year’s worth of funding (approximately $18,000 - $20,000 TBD based on review of the specific request during budget
workshop) for the Children’s Commission. The program would be evaluated at the end of 2007 with the expectation the Board would extend it for another year’s worth of funding, that determination made after discussing with those served and others, to determine if the programs meets expected needs.
The revenue to fund the Current Expense portion is to come from local sales tax which the Budget Director agreed had been estimated very conservatively.
Ordinance #C- 115 -06 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2007 for the County Current Expense Levy
Ms. Marlow explained that Ordinance #C-115-06 only provides for increasing the amount of tax collected by new construction and not the statutory 1% tax increase that the Board could have taken. New construction this year has been significant and overall probably between 3 to 4%.
Ordinance #C- 116 -06 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2007 for the County Road Levy
In this case as Ms. Marlow pointed out, the Road Levy provides for the statutory 1% increase plus the amount provided for new construction. As mentioned by Public works in budget workshops and meetings roads continue to need significant improvements.
Ordinance #C- 117 -06 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2007 for the County Conservation Futures Levy
This year as Ms. Marlow pointed out, the Board only increased the amount of this levy 1% plus new construction, and did not take the full 6-1/2 percent.
Comments on the Budget by Members of the Public
Richard Bryan, Coupeville, was pleased to note the budget included major investment in IT implementation, and he believed that working on the initial project related to the accounting and HP package, led to a substantial increase in interdepartmental team work which he applauded.
In response to various questions on the phases, components and timeframe to implement the IT plan(s), the Budget Director reported:
Total 2007 budget dollar amount for IT improvements excluding normal maintenance is between $400,000 and $450,000 [[$400,000 in the general fund, and another $50,000 in two other key players, Health Department and Public Works]. The financial/HR system package is estimated to be about ¾ million, of which $350,000 is in the budget for 2007. The Moss Adams fee is included in the $350,000. [general fund budget, line 90 page A-2, column g, a capital expenditure].
The Budget also includes $50,000 [ballpark figure] for outside appraisal of the Assessor’s program the total scope of the project yet to be defined. If not adequate the Board has committed to additional funding to ensure the assessment goes forward. A portion of this will
also go towards looking at replacement of the PC&D permitting system and GIS system. [line 29 col. f page A-1 professional services under M&O].
The Central Services Director is charged with taking a big picture approach of all county departments.
The dollar allocation is not necessarily limiting the ability to get the work done in 2007. More important is having an orderly plan and taking the time necessary in implementing the system,
and making sure checks and balances are in place going through the implementation.
No other comments were made from members of the public relating to the Resolution or Ordinances.
By unanimous motion the Board adopted Resolution #C- 114 -06 Adopting the Island County Budget and Diking District No. 4 Budget for Fiscal Year 2007 as amended today. [Resolution #C-114-06 on file with the Clerk of the Board ]
By unanimous motion the Board approved Ordinance #C-115-06 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2007 for the County Current Expense Levy.
[Ordinance #C- 115 -06 on file with the Clerk of the Board]
By unanimous motion the Board approved Ordinance #C- 116 -06 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2007 for the County Road Levy. [Ordinance #C- 116 -06 on file with the Clerk of the Board]
Commissioner Shelton commented that folks probably read in papers about the declining purchasing power of the new gas tax at the State level. The County faces all of those same things and because of the dramatic increase of the cost of oil products heavily used in the road program, the Board believes taking the 1% for the road levy in order to keep abreast of the issues surrounding maintenance and construction was appropriate. Island County probably has one of the best road systems of any county in the State and the Board favors keeping it that way and the way to do that is through an effective
maintenance program.
By unanimous motion, the Board approved Ordinance #C-117-06 Increasing the Taxing District’s Prior Year’s Levy Amount for Collection in Fiscal Year 2007 for the County Conservation Futures Levy. [Ordinance #C- 117 -06 on file with the Clerk of the Board]
Stipulated Judgment & Order - Cause No. 06 2 00668 7; Kevin Sundberg & Tami Sundberg, Husband and Wife; and Curt Sundberg & Kjersti Sundberg, Husband and Wife vs. Island County (Quiet Title Action)
Bill Oakes, Public Works Director, accompanied by David L. Jamieson, Jr., Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, presented and recommended for Board approval, Stipulated Judgment and Order on Cause No. 06 2 00668 7 by Kevin Sundberg & Tami Sundberg, Husband and Wife; and Curt Sundberg & Kjersti Sundberg, Husband and Wife vs. Island County. Mr. Oakes explained this was a quiet title action. The Sundbergs own a parcel on Camano Island, and there is a remnant easement to Island County for access to a long-since abandoned gravel pit. The County no longer owns the parcel
where the gravel pit was located; the easement remained a cloud on the Sundbergs title and therefore asking for quiet title action to remove that cloud.
By unanimous motion, the Board approved the Stipulated Judgment and Order thereon, Cause No. 06 2 00668 7, a quiet title action in the favor of Kevin Sundberg & Tami Sundberg, Husband and Wife; and Curt Sundberg & Kjersti Sundberg, Husband and Wife vs. Island County.
Mr. Jamieson will be signing the Stipulation and Order on behalf of the County since it is a court action.
Bid REJECTED FOR Jail Water Softener and Fire Main Extension
A small works call for replacement of the jail water softener and associated plumbing related to the fire main relocation and extension for the fire main supply to the building and jail was issued. Mr. Oakes advised that only one bid was received, 93% over the engineer’s estimate. Recommendation was that the bid be rejected.
The Board by unanimous motion rejected the bid for the reason stated by Mr. Oakes.
EMPLOYEE EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT APPROVED
As requested by Phil Bakke, Planning & Community Development Director, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in ICC 2.01.043, the Board by unanimous motion approved education reimbursement of tuition for more than one class per quarter or semester while seeking a Master’s Degree and is in an expedited program that requires more than one class per quarter, beginning in the Fall 2006 quarter and running until he has earned his Master’s of Public Administration degree.
HEARING HELD: OPS 430/06 – Curt Youderian OPS 431/06 – Teresa Beardslee
OPS 430/06 – Curt Youderian – Request 12.06 acres of 13.06 acres on Central Whidbey Island be transferred from the Designated Forest current use program to the Timber Land current use program; Parcel R13111-389-1730
OPS 431/06 – Teresa Beardslee, Request 12.43 acres of 13.43 acres on Central Whidbey Island be transferred from the Designated Forest current use program to the Timber Land current use program; Parcel R13111-344-1630
At 10:30 a.m. a Public Hearing was held on the above-noted open space applications as scheduled and advertised.
Anthony Boscolo, Assistant Planner, along with Brandon Sweezea, presented in summarized form, the recommendation of the Planning & Community Development Department as provided in the following documents:
Island County Planning Department Proposal, Findings, Analysis, Conclusions and Recommendation dated November 6, 2006 for Application 430/06 Curt Youderian recommending approval subject to standard conditions as stated.
Island County Planning Department Proposal, Findings, Analysis, Conclusions and Recommendation dated November 6, 2006 for Application 431/06 Teresa Beardslee recommending approval subject to standard conditions as stated.
[copies on file with the Clerk of the Board]
No one in the audience spoke either for or against approval of OPS 430/06 or 431/06.
By unanimous motion, the Board approved OPS 430/06 by Curt Youderian and OPS 431/06 by Teresa Beardslee as presented and recommended.
There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, the meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2006 at 9:30 a.m.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON
[absent when signed] Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman
_____________________________
William J. Byrd, Member
_____________________________
Mike Shelton, Member
ATTEST:
_______________________
Elaine Marlow, Clerk of the Board