The Board of Island County Commissioners (including Diking Improvement District #4) met in Regular Session on October 9, 2006 beginning at 9:30 a.m., in the Island County Courthouse Annex, Hearing Room, 1 N. E. 6th Street, Coupeville, Wa. Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman and William J. Byrd, Member, were present. Commissioner Mike Shelton was absent. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. By unanimous motion, the Board approved the minutes from Regular Session held on September 25, 2006 and October 2, 2006.

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board: Voucher (War.) #247718-247982 ………………………………………………………..$371,531.49.

Hiring Requests & Personnel Actions

As presented by Larry Larson, Human Resources Director, the Board by unanimous motion, approved the following personnel action authorizations:

Dept. PAA # Description/Position # Action    Eff. Date

Prosecutor 131/06 Paralegal/Leg. Asst I .5 FTE 1813.01 Replacement/Personnel 10/9/06

Auditor 132/06 Index Dep. .5 FTE 208.02 Replacement 10/15/06

EMPLOYEE AWARDS

Employee Service Awards

Department Employee No. Years

Health  Sally Waters 15

Public Works /Roads Scott Endres 15

Public Works/Roads Dale Tepley 30

Public Works/Solid Waste Gayle Forbes 5

Sheriff  Mark Plumberg 10

WSU Extension Janet Hall 10                            

Employee of the Month - September, 2006

Shirley Wood was selected as Employee of the Month for September 2006. Shirley joined the County in December of 2004, and supports Human Resources and the Budget Director/Clerk of the Board, and reliably performs her job efficiently with a high level of professionalism. Despite the stress of her "front line" position Shirley always appears calm and displays a wonderful sense of humor.

APPROVAL FOR FUNDING AND CLOSING OUT CONSERVATION FUTURES PROJECTS - 2005 CYCLE

The Board, by unanimous motion, confirmed and approved for funding the following Conservation Futures projects for the 2005 cycle:

1.        Kristofferson Creek/Baum Property $125,000 contingent upon property owner

receiving final approval from Island County Planning Department for short plat of five acres

2. Oak Harbor Waterfront Trail Missing Link Properties $126,435.55.

APPROVAL FOR FUNDING CONSERVATION FUTURES 2006 OUT-OF-CYCLE APPLICATION FOR WILBERT TRAIL

By unanimous motion the Board approved funding for conservation futures 2006 out-of-cycle application for Wilbert Trail in the amount of $187,000.

Claim for Damages #R06-018 CD by Mary Malkus

Based on investigation and recommendation of denial by Betty Kemp, Director, GSA/Risk Management, the Board by unanimous motion, denied Claim for Damages #R06-018 CD by Mary Malkus in the amount of $1,081.89.

Waiver of Competitive Solicitation Procurement AND AWARD OF

bid for Printing services - WSU Extension

The Board by unanimous motion approved the request of WSU/Extension Services to Waive Competitive Solicitation Procurement Process Under ICC 2.29.030.B(12), and following the approval of waiver, awarded the low bid to Hemlock Printers in the amount of $25,913 for printing WSU Beach Watchers Field Guide "Getting to Waters Edge".

Liquor license Applications Approved

Based on review and favorable recommendations received from the appropriate County departments, the Board by unanimous motion agreed to forward recommendations of approval to the Washington State Liquor Control Board on the following liquor license applications:

New Application #087823-3F by Gary B. Smith and Elizabeth Smith, d/b/a GBJC, Inc., for Mukilteo Coffee Company, located at 5331 Crawford Road, Langley

New Application #086041-3F by James Eugene Ayers and Lynne Chipman Ayers, d/b/a Camano Island Cellars LLC for the Great Blue Heron Wine Cellars, located at 848 N. Sunrise Blvd. Suite C-2, Camano Island.

Administrative Services Agreement

Administrative Services Agreement RM-HR-06-117 between Island County and the International City Management Association Retirement Corporation (ICMA-RC) for the VantageCare Retirement Health Savings as approved August 21, 2006, was by unanimous motion approved and signed by the Board.

INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISLAND COUNTY AND I-COM

The Board by unanimous motion approved Interlocal Agreement between Island County and I-COM, Contract #E07-127 (RM-BOCC-06-120) in the amount of $18,000 to provide financial assistance for expenses necessary to answer 911 calls originating in the County.

HEARING HELD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application for Proposed Camano Island Community Health Facility

 

At 9:55 a.m. as scheduled and advertised, a Public Hearing was held to consider a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application for a proposed Camano Island Community Health Facility. The Public Hearing is being held to solicit review of community development and housing needs, inform citizens of the availability of funds and eligible uses of (CDBG), and receive comments on proposed activities, particularly from low- and moderate-income persons and persons residing in the Island County area. Up to $1,000,000 may be available to Island County on a statewide competitive basis to fund public facility, housing, economic development, or community facility projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Video-conferencing was provided between the Courthouse in Coupeville and the Camano Annex to encourage full citizen participation in the hearing process. A Public Hearing on this matter was also held on Camano Island at a special session of the Board on October 3, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. The application summary for the proposed Camano Island Community Health Facility has been available for review at the Island County Camano Annex, 121 N.E. Camano Drive, Camano Island and Island County Public Works Department, County Annex Building, 1 N.E. 6th St., Coupeville [copy on file with the Clerk of the Board] .

Tim McDonald, Health Services Director, provided at this public hearing, with copies made available for members of the audience in Coupeville as well as the Camano Annex, the following hand-outs [copies on file with the Clerk of the Board]:

  • Federal Citizen Participating Requirements for Local Government Applicants to the

State CDBG Program

           

             Reviews requirements for a local governments to participate in this program, especially

requirements to include citizen participation from Island County residents, and low and

moderate income residents

  • Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development

Community Develop Block Grant - local government division

Summary of the dollar amount available, type of grant that would be entertained for 2007

approximately $15 million in federal funds that will be awarded to Washington State, and a

break down into the different types of CDBG grants.

Mr. McDonald summarized to note that Island County and Skagit Valley Hospital are collaborating on a grant request in the approximate amount of $1 million to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), to establish a health care facility and community meeting room on Camano Island. Skagit Valley Hospital's (SVH) rural health care clinic has been very successful, so much so, has grown out of its current space, and in order to respond to the pronounced need on Camano Island, must find a larger space for practitioners. The space identified by Public Works engineers as available in the County's Camano complex is currently the location for the old Camano Multipurpose Center. That building serves a great need right now in terms of meeting room space; hence a joint application with the location at that building site.

Rhonda Curry-Olmsted and Diane Morton, representing Skagit Valley Hospital, Mt. Vernon, Wa., were present in support of the application. Ms. Morton provided an opportunity for the Commissioners and public to see the "first-run" drawings to show the direction the building would sit on the property, three levels of light coming into the building; the entrance with public bathrooms, community room, waiting

area, separate bathrooms for the clinic, provision for storage, exam rooms, treatment room, lab and business offices. The plan is workable and can take the clinic needs into the future and allow for three

providers when needed. The community room area with bathrooms will be available for meetings yet the clinic portion will be secure.

Answering a question from Bridget Budbill, Stanwood-Camano News, about what happens to plans for expanding the clinic if the grant is not awarded, Mr. McDonald confirmed that if the grant were not awarded, based on the expressed need of Skagit Valley Hospital, he would urge the Board apply next year. Ms. Morton confirmed the commitment of the Skagit Valley Hospital Board of Commissioners to go a second try should that be necessary.

With no others indicating a desire to comment, the public hearing ended. Chairman McDowell confirmed that comments from the public may be submitted in writing to the Board of Island County Commissioners, P. O. Box 5000, Coupeville, Wa. 98239 by October 16, 2006.

Public Input or Comments

A number of Camano audience members indicated a desire to address the Board with respect to the Camano Hill Road project.

Mary Maddox, a resident on Green Island Way for some 23 years, expressed concern about the proposed road project for Camano Hill Road at the intersection of Green Island Way, especially with widening, increasing the curve and building a cement retaining wall on top of the Camano Hill Association waterline. The course of the road does not need to be changed nor is a left turn lane needed. Needed is a reduced speed limit that is enforced; shoulders a minimum 8' - 10'; a signal where Camano Hill Road goes into East Camano Drive; remove the bumps going down the hill; and a guard rail. The retaining wall would not be necessary if the left turn lane is not installed and the course of the road not changed. The plan for a retaining wall over the waterline forces the Association to go to the expense of moving the waterline. Those who live there and use the roads should have been consulted before any plan was developed. Residents do not want to have to move the waterline nor covered by a retaining wall.

Chuck Kahler, Michael Way, had concerns as well about the County's plan to straighten out the curves on a very curvy dangerous road. Typically when straightening out a curve one would not go outward on the curve, rather cut on the inside. If the curve were cut on the inside at Green Island Way there would not be a problem whether there is a turn lane or not. If the County would simply straighten the road out the whole problem goes away.

Tom Walker, former President of the board for Green Island Community Association, expressed frustration and the confusion because the chain of command had never been apparent as far as who concerns should be addressed to. There seems to be no concern for what the residents think about the road changes and a deaf ear with regard to the waterline, especially the one located at the corner of Green Island Way and Camano Hill Road. Other concerns summarized:

    • Plans change each time residents and Association members talk to the County or Skillings

Connolly, Inc. and problems getting answers or getting the same consistent answers.

    • A turn lane at Green Island Way brings the side of the road and the retaining wall within about a foot or 6" of Ms. Maddox's fence, and the waterline a little over 7' back underneath the roadway surface. Moving the edge of the road that far over against the Maddox property means there is no place to move the waterline; there is no lateral room to move the waterline over.

 

    • County should work with the association in moving the waterline or putting the waterline in a safe position. The County bears some responsibility to move the line into a safe location; a safe location is not back underneath a roadway surface 7' below the ground.
    • Still a question about the property on the corner of Chase way and Camano Hill Road; until solved, there is no clear cut direction to go with the waterline to ensure its safety.

Barry Gosnow, Green Island Way, a past President of the water association, brought forward the following points of concern:

  • It was only at residents' alerting Skillings Connolly, Inc. to the existence of the water pipes located in Michael Way all the way down Camano Hill Road and eventually crossing at Green Island Way.
  • The difficulties of understanding "who did what".
  • In the event the waterline has to be moved, costs will be large and probably more than a whole years' worth of income for the Association.

Bob Teague, Green Island Way, incoming President of the Association, offered a "nutshell" perspective:

    • Green Island Way measures one-half mile, ends at a ravine, thus a dead end road; 24 properties located on either the east or west side of the road, only 19 homes. The proposed left turn lane would serve a grand total of 19 homes. Any changes needed to the road surface should be made on the inner curve and the only thing necessary there would be perhaps a bicycle lane.
    • Eliminate the left turn lane proposal. It is not cost effective, would solve Ms. Maddox's problem, solve the Associations' problem of having to move the waterline and ultimately save County dollars.

A drawing was held up to show residents' suggestion for the Camano Hill Road Project with the notation "Current Plans make the curves worse not better as arrows depict". [copy on file with the Clerk of the Board].

Guenther Fortmann, Green Island Way resident, did not understand the need for any repairs on Camano Hilll Road and expressed concern that the residents did not know about it. His suggestion was that the County drop the whole thing.

Tom Walker agreed that Bob Teague's suggestion would solve all the problems.

Chairman McDowell asked for a response from Bill Oakes, Public Works Director, on the following questions: explain why the road needs the work proposed; the exact location of where the road is to be under current plans; and address the possibility of eliminating the left hand turn lane. He also asked that Mr. Oakes call Camano and set up a meeting with the group.

Mr. Oakes reported that the project is a safety project to remove some roadside hazards and several places on Camano Hill Road that have either ditches or power poles at the edge of the pavement. The project will add shoulders and provide a recovery zone for vehicles and an area for folks to walk or bike. Camano Hill is a fairly high volume road for Island County and Camano Island, a major east-west route across the center of the Island. A signal is planned at the intersection of East Camano and Camano Hill Road. There is a left turn pocket in both directions on Camano Hill proposed now, and also realignment of Rocky Mountain High traffic onto the intersection - proposing a four-way limbed

 

intersection with the present plan. With regard to the concern over the waterline, Mr. Oakes believed that the water association operates in the County right of way under a franchise and one of the things that comes with using public right of way is the responsibility to move improvements if need be for a road improvement project. A letter in February last year from the consultants stated that the line does not need to be moved, that the line would maintain its integrity through the construction. If the Association would like to make plans for either future service or for pre-locating the line [either a line or the sleeve to install the line in the future], Mr. Oakes welcomed meeting with them to talk about how that can be incorporated into the County's construction project and perhaps including it in the County's contract to realize some cost savings for the Association by economy of scale. Mr. Oakes welcomed the opportunity to meet with folks with regard to the intersection improvements and agreed to call the Camano Annex after this meeting to work out a time to meet with the citizens on this matter.

ill Road Project.

Consultant Agreement – Ault Field Road/Oak Harbor Road Intersection Improvements

As presented and recommended by Mr. Oakes, the Board by unanimous motion approved Agreement #PW-0620-101 between Island County and Robert M. Herman, dba Herman Traffic Engineering for the Ault Field Road/Oak Harbor Road Intersection Improvements, in the amount of $59,350.00 with completion date December 31, 2006.

PELICAN COURT DRAINGE IMPROVEMENTS

Under CDP 06-06, Work Order #167, Pelican Court Drainage Improvements, the Board by unanimous motion approved the following Permanent Drainage Easement, and Construction Easement & Agreement:

Permanent Drainage Easement #PW-0620-88 between Island County and Mindell C. & Ralf Lorenzen, Parcel R22903-435-4480.

Construction Easement & Agreement #PW-0620-89 between Island County and Mindell C. & Ralf Lorenzen; Parcel R22903-435-4480.

SARATOGA ROAD CULVERT

Related to Saratoga Road Culvert, CDP 06-03, Work Order #277, the Board by unanimous motion approved Slope Easement #PW-0620-93 between Island County and Dennis A. and M. Jeanne Hunsinger, Parcel R33032-463-5100.

Contract FOR Solid Waste Transport and Disposal

Mr. Oakes recommended the Board's approval of the Contract for solid waste transport and disposal for Island County, Wa.; Dave Bonvouloir, Island County Solid Waste Manager, and Joe Casalini, Director, Business Development, Rabanco Ltd., were present in support of approval of the contract.

By unanimous motion, the Board approved and signed the Contract between Island County and Rabanco Ltd., a Contract regarding solid waste transport and disposal for Island County, Washington.

 

 

 

 

HEARING HELD: Resolution #C-105-06 (PLG-029-06) Accepting The Planning Commission’s Recommendation That Existing Resource Lands Policies And Regulations In The Comprehensive Plan Are Providing Adequate Resource Protection And That Amendments To The Plan And Regulations Are Not Needed

At 10:30 a.m., as scheduled and advertised, a Public Hearing was held on Resolution #C-105-06 (PLG-029-06) In The Matter Of Accepting The Planning Commission’s Recommendation That Existing Resource Lands Policies And Regulations In The Comprehensive Plan Are Providing Adequate Resource Protection And That Amendments To The Plan And Regulations Are Not Needed. [introduced on 9/18/06 GMA #8921].

Jeff Tate, Assistant Director, Planning & Community Development Department, relayed the recommendation of the Department that the hearing be continued and the Board not make any final decision today. The Planning Director was called out to an enforcement situation and unable to attend today's hearing. This matter came before the Planning Commission in 2004 at public hearings, resulting in the determination that no changes were needed to the policies and regulations pertinent to these designations. The review by Planning Commission was of commercial agriculture, rural agriculture, rural forest and mineral lands designation as part of the 2005 Comprehensive Plan review and update process. Because the recommendation was for no action, the item was never brought forward to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval. The Prosecutor's Office indicated that on a no action item the matter still needs to be brought before the Board. Under Growth Management requirements if a certain period of time lapses between the Planning Commission recommendation and the Board's final decision the Board is required to conduct a public hearing.

Public Testimony

Steve Erickson, WEAN, Langley, referenced WEAN's letter of September 9, 2006, and reiterated his concerns [GMA #8913]. The designation criteria for agricultural resource lands and commercial agricultural classification ICC 17.03.100 D.4 states that "The Lot, Tract or Parcel is not located within a Drainage or Diking District or otherwise protected by dikes, UGA, RAID, State Park or owned by the Navy.". While he agreed that it made sense to exempt lands in any UGA, RAID, State Park or Federally owned, but for those "not located within a Drainage or Diking District or otherwise protected by dikes" means those categories are not designated as commercial Ag which makes no sense. GMA requires that the County designate and conserve agricultural resource lands and that provision is not consistent with that GMA requirement. WEAN urges the Board remove that exemption from designation so that lands located within drainage or diking districts or protected by dikes or otherwise meet the criteria for designation for commercial agricultural land are so designated. He was not sure

that the way the County actually zoned some of the lands was consistent with that provision, but agreed that was somewhat of another issue.

Angie Homola, Happy Lane, Oak Harbor, had some questions and concerns, and agreed to meet with Mr. Tate after today's hearing, and if questions remained, would come to the next hearing to relay those questions and concerns to the Board.

By unanimous motion, the Board continued the Public Hearing to November 6, 2006 at 10:30 a.m., confirming that the Board would take additional public comments at that meeting. (Notice of continuance GMA #8967)

 

 

 

FISCAL YEAR 2008 APPLICATION FOR CENTENNIAL CLEAN WATER FUND - HOLMES HARBOR GRANT APPLICATION Holmes Harbor Bacteria Source Identification/Remedy

On behalf of the Planning & Community Development Department, Mr. Tate requested the Board's approval and signature on a grant application for submittal to the Department of Ecology for FY 2008 Centennial Clean Water funding for a project identified as Holmes Harbor Bacteria Source Identification/Remedy in the amount of $384,000. The grant will help provide a funding source for partial implementation of the upcoming designation of a shellfish protection district for south Holmes Harbor, a grant that follows on the State Department of Health's determination to down grade the south Holmes Harbor beach area for commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting. There is a Memorandum of Understanding that the Department of Health, Department of Ecology and Puget Sound Action Team prepared developing a strategy for what occurs once a district is developed. The grant application would seek dollars to help with the implementation of that strategy.

By unanimous motion the Board approved Fiscal Year 2008 Centennial Clean Water Fund Grant Application for Holmes Harbor Bacteria Source Identification/remedy. [GMA #8968]

Health - Budget Workshop DRAFT notes 10/9/06

Budget notebooks prepared by the Budget office are based on M&O and capital amounts at current levels. Budget narratives accompanied each department/office budget. Proposed budget and supplemental requests are taken under advisement by the Board with no final decisions expected as a result of budget workshops. Any additional hand-outs provided during Budget Workshops have been placed on file with the Clerk of the Board and in the Office of the County Commissioners.

Public Health Pooling - Budget Narrative: page 347 Workbook

Presentation by: Tim McDonald         Carol McNeil

Roger Case, M.D. Jackie Henderson

Keith Higman Kerry McDonald

Carrie McLachlan Linda Telles

Hand-outs:

  1. 2007 Projected Budget Correction-Administrative Medicaid Match program
  2. 2007 Health Department Budget - Budget Summary Spread Sheet - correction
  3. Funding Request to Initiate an Island County Children's Commission CHAB 9/5/06
  4. Recommendation to Initiate an Island County Children's Commission CHAB 7/17/06

Budget Assumptions: same Current Expense funding level as 2006

-Public Health Pooling Fund, $515,295 and includes $96,736 for Healthy families program

and $130,647 for hydrogeologist program; Alcoholism/Substance Abuse Fund $13,271

-use Risk, Pool 2006 insurance fee $46,800

-SWB estimates include COLA increases, changes in retirement contributions and health

insurance increases

-grants at same level

-fee revenue will follow historical trends

Unreserved Public Health Pooling Funds from 2005

 

$853,244 [does not include $195,160 reserve for automobile replacement or $83,381 for computer/equipment].

                Annual reminder: Health Department buy-out liability not current accounted for $280,000

[accounting protocol]. Budget Director will calculate what the normal termination leave payout

average has been over a certain period of time.

Requirements for 2007. What we need to continue serves at current level

             Public Health Nursing: current programs at current level will require additional $59,763

[*plus $18,000].

*The hand-out "2007 Projected Budget Correction-Administrative Medicaid Match program" projected that program would result in $30,000 when in fact is $18,000 short of projection. This is the first year of a new system for the Medicare Administration Match. The second hand-out shows the correction.

The budget narrative discusses circumstances should there be cuts in the Current Expense contribution and the impacts that would have. Revenue is made up of approximately 51% fees, 33% grants and 16% Current Expense fund. A cut in Current Expense revenue would impact all other major parts of the funding revenue generated from grants and fees.

HB4410 - proposal may be brought before the Legislature this year whereby the State would be investing additional dollars in local public health more dollars, i.e. Island County could receive in excess of $300,000 year one.

            Environmental Health:           $160,754 required to continue current programs.

Food Program: deficit $73,348. Would need to increase fees by 60% to offset the deficit.

Other Fee-based Environmental Health              programs: deficit $79,766 Need to increase fees by 8.6% calculated across the board. Fees designed to match expenditures in each of the program areas. The 8.6% increase is needed just to break even. The new on site program supervisor position absorbed by increase in numbers of fees and did not have to make a special calculation for that.

            Follow-up: go back the last couple of food permit fee increases to provide past history of the food permit fee increases.

            Hydrogeology Section.

Deficit: $7,643 This is a separate program which receives Current Expense dollars and in order to cover the program for 2007 at the same level an additional $7,643 is required.

            Alcohol & Substance Abuse Fund

To provide current level of services, an additional $7,913 will be required for treatment services and $10,911 for prevention services. DASA imposes a 10% administrative cap and it is difficult to perform all of the administrative work that DASA requires within that 10%. DASA also requires a 10% local match for program grants. A 10% match of the proposed 2007 DASA grant would be $59,236 from Current Expense (2006 Current Expense contribution of $13,271). Refer to spread sheet on page 252.

 

 

Proposed alternative: as some counties have done, look into addressing the need for local match by increasing the amount of liquor profits and liquor tax directed to Island County Alcoholism/Substance Abuse programs. The statutory requirement is for 2% of the alcohol tax and 2% of alcohol profits required to fund alcohol and substance abuse. [i.e. Skagit County allocates 10% of city and county liquor profits and liquor taxes to their program rather than the mandated minimum of 2%). Two percent for Island County is only about $8,000/year; taxes are not collected on alcohol sold on any federal land.

Follow-up:

  1. Find out how that decision is made
  2. Provide the break down between the cities and county as far as what is collected (of the $8,000 collected now, what percent of that is County, City of Oak Harbor, City of Langley and Town of Coupeville)
  3. percent increase needed to provide the additional $18,224.

Mental Health and DD Fund

Nothing of note in Mental Health or DD fund.

Requests

Software. Received approval last year to set aside $60,000 to purchase a software product to handle client record data much more efficiently. Those dollars have not yet been spent and request to roll the money forward if not expended by the end of 2006 to 2007 for the purchase.

Staffing:

            1. Request approval to proceed through PAQ process for Chief Deputy Registrar position

             from pay grade 7 to pay grade 9

  1. Establish new position "Communicable Disease/Emergency Response Preparedness Coordinator" (replace one PHN III Supervisor position) pay grade 13
  2. Establish Program Manager [Environmental health] to oversee drinking water, land use and

food programs, an increase in expenditures for 2007 of $67,540 and would represent

additional fee increases of 54% of land use fees, 16.5% to food fees and 13% to water fees.

  1. PAQ to establish merit-based hierarchy for three environmental health department

assistant positions. An increase to pay grade 8 would result in increased expenditures by

$10,209; a pay grade 9 would result in increased expenditures by $20,417, proposing to fund

from increase in program fees.

Children's Commission

A memorandum written to the Board of Health September 5, 2006 submitted documentation in support of CHAB's recommendation to initiate a Children's Commission in Island County, and requested funding .5 FTE for 2007. The total first budget is estimated at $47,970. Letters have gone out to the cities and town asking that they too consider funding some of the expenses.

2007 Health Department Budget - Budget Summary Spread Sheet - correction

Because of decrease in revenue of administrative match of $18,000 results in total negative: -$347,190 for 2007. The new requests discussed herein are not included, except for the $60,000 already in the 2006 budget to be moved forward to 2007 budget.

 

 

Health Priorities:

Communicable disease prevention

Environmental health protection

Health promotion

WSU Extension Services/Grants/Weed Control

Presentation by: Don Meehan

Susan Horton

Hand-outs: Proposed Budget Packet [budget workbook pages 242-1 through 242-20.

Balanced budget submitted. The first page is a grid showing all WSU programs with the different revenue sources that fund the various programs. Expenditures in three basis areas: salaries, M&O, Capital.

M&O has not grown much over the years and is slipping. The Budget for 2007 reflects old M&O expectations and needs; fearful, however, at the end this year will be pushing a negative number. Having access to a county car help keeps expenses down and is a benefit. Has balanced the budget based on license plate sales, which is working well and anticipate continue revenue; however, cannot say for certain. License plate profits come to the non profit rather than the county; the non-profit has an obligation to use the funds for the programs designed for [environmental programs]. To the degree WSU extension can use some of those funds to support positions which support the programs is the key.

Staffing: will need dollars in the 2007 budget for an employee retirement payout - just under $8,000.

Weed Control

Request position be funded full time, with seasonal help. Would not be a bad idea if control of noxious weeds on all county properties came under the responsibility of the Weed Control Board rather than fragmented department to department. Parks currently in the process of getting all the players together including WSU/Noxious Weeds, Public Works, Parks and Planning to discuss that possibility. Also talking to Parks and developing a plan to put forth an application for Conservation Futures funds.

Follow-up: WSU requested to take the lead and follow-up to convene a meeting among the players: Public Works, Parks, Planning, WSU/Noxious Weeds

 

Superior Court/Law Library

Juvenile Court Services / Juvenile Detention Center/CASA

Hand-out: Budget Narrative

Capital Improvement Request t for 2007

Judicial Need Estimates by Full Time Equivalents, 2005

Presentation by: Michael S. Merringer Sherry Cameron Gerald Murphy

Tom Karras       Brook Powell

 

            Superior Court Main differences from last year's budget:

Additional dollars for anticipated use of pro-tems in Professional Services. At the time the budget was prepared did not have a full time court reporter and anticipated the increase would be used for a court reporter as well, but since that time have made a hire and that need is not going to be as great.

Miscellaneous. Jury fees - difficult line item to anticipate; depends on how many trials go to trial instead of settling.

Contracted out the Court Facilitator to the Volunteer Lawyer's Program. Before renewing the contract each year, Mr. Merringer will meet with the Budget Director to figure out how much is collected and what the monthly payment would be to the Volunteer Lawyer Program.

Island County and San Juan County based upon the workload need 3.0 judge positions; currently operating at 2.3. Budget narrative indicates how it would impact the budget in 2007. If approved, the legislation would have to be created and that position appointed by the Governor as of July 2007. Currently there are 2 FT judges; .2 court commissioner in Island County and .1 court commissioner in San Juan County. Along with a third judge would be a request for a court reporter. Half-year salary for both positions would be $40,497 Island County's share; San Juan's portion would be $16,325 [see page 5 of 6 of the Budget Narrative].

Chairman McDowell observed that if a third judge position is approved, the need for additional dollars for pro tems would be reduced.

            Law Library. Submitted exactly the same as 2006

            Juvenile Court Services

Not asking for any additional resources in M&O. Already received approval from the Board to proceed with a PAQ for a position increase; waiting for a response from Human Resources; budget proposal

reflects what it currently is. Have not utilized other juvenile facilities for quite some time and no longer have active contracts with other counties to house Island County juveniles. Just finalized a contract with San Juan County to allow that county to use space available service at Island County's facility.

CASA Fund. To keep status quo Current Expense will need to increase its contribution to that fund by about $4,000 to fund required staff benefits. There are no increases in staffing proposed. There is legislation placed in the Supreme Court's budget to increase CASA funds state wide by seven million dollars. If approved, it could mean about $40,000 for Island County for an additional position.

Follow-up: double check benefit amount calculation.

Juvenile Detention

The amount shown in Professional Services line #141.40 ($41,200) is thought to be a little low. Meal service is included in that line item and hope to contract with a mental health professional to provide some mental health services for kids in detention. Budget Director agreed that the figure reflected did not include dollars for a mental health professional and probably need to add about $3,000. Contracted with CFM, jumped through every hurdle for reimbursement, and as of October 1 eligible to

recoup some meal costs for breakfast, lunch and snack served. Had estimated an average daily population of 10; under that right now.

            Drug Court

Receive an amount of money from DASA, $27,662, which is spent on a position shared with adult drug court.

            Capital Improvement Requests

Juvenile Detention Center

1 additional PC in the Detention intake area to run Webmass/Access

1 fax machine for Detention intake area

1 table-top copier for Detention intake area

Juvenile & Family Court Services

4 ergonomic keyboards

3 telephonic headsets

1 typewriter [required for forms, etc.]

Capital Project Funds

            Construction & Acquisition

            Courthouse Expansion

            Capital Improvements- REET 1

            Capital Facilities–REET 2

            Conservation Futures

Hand-outs: Budget Packet for Capital Projects Funds

Presentation by: Elaine Marlow

Page 424 provides a summary of all the funds involved, both revenues and expenditures. Not much has

changed since the Capital Improvement Plan was approved in August. The Budget Director fine-tuned some of the revenue estimates, but the project list and amounts are the same as discussed previously.

Different this year from past years is the shifting of some debt service between REET 1 and REET 2 to help accelerate construction of the new Camano Annex. Revenue in the two REET funds will be between 1.3 and 1.4 million for 2007. As of the end of September, tracking about $126,000 less than 2005. Seeing a steady decline in REET funds [based on real estate activity]. For the past couple of collections, each month has been $30,000-$40,000 less than the previous year.

Conservation Futures, 6-1/4% against each $1,000 of assessed value and there is no firm number yet from the Assessor's office as far as what the total value will be for the County and the Budget Director may need to fine-tune the Conservation Futures number.

Construction & Acquisition. CDBG grant for South Whidbey Commons. Their present work plan is to start construction in the first quarter of next year; if they do not make that window CTED could withdraw the grant.

 

 

Supplemental Requests:

  • $30,000 for Fairground capital improvements [instead of $15,000]
  • City of Oak Harbor requests continued finding for Ft. Nugent Park.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Chairman announced that the Board would meet in Executive Session at 2:30 p.m. to discuss with legal counsel potential litigation as allowed under RCW 42.30.110 (1) (i). The Executive Session was held in the County Administrative Building, Conference Room #218. No announcement was anticipated in open public session afterwards.

 

 

There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. upon conclusion of the Executive Session. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held on October 16, 2006 at 9:30 a.m.

 

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

______________________________

Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

                                                                                     

_____________________________

                                                William J. Byrd, Member

 

                                                                (Mike Shelton, Member - absent)

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

_______________________

Elaine Marlow, Clerk of the Board