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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM080210 District No. 1 Commissioner: PhU Johnson DistrIct No.2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No.3 Commissioner: John Aostln County Administrator: Philip Morley Cierk of the Board: Lorna Delaney MINUTES Week of August 2, 2010 Chairman David Sullivan called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the presence of Commissioner Phil Johnson and Commissioner John Austin. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made by citizens in attendance at the meeting: a citizen submitted a petition with 306 signatures requesting that the Commissioners consider putting the Shoreline Master Program to an advisory vote of the people; a citizen suggested the Commissioners use a positive approach in dealing with economic development such as processing building permits faster to stimulate revenue rather than increasing sales tax; a citizen stated that he supports a positive change in service attitude and he also stated that the State Department of Ecology controls the Shoreline Master Program not the Commissioners; a citizen complemented the Board on their practice of honest budgeting; a citizen commented on the Board's decision to proceed with a new sales tax and asked for clarification on other issues related to outside watering and well permits; a citizen feels the County not only needs to make budget cuts, but also look at ways to generate revenue; a citizen stated that it was the Commissioners who decided on a 150' shoreline buffer as a regulation in the Shoreline Master Program, not the State Department of Ecology. He also commented on the budget and stated that he believes that calling the proposed new sales tax a "Law and Justice Tax" is misleading and dishonest because the tax can be used for other purposes; a citizen feels that the County needs to seek ways to facilitate progress and put the interest of its citizens in the forefront. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: After typographical corrections were noted for item #2 and item #6, Commissioner Austin moved to approve all the items on the consent agenda. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. RESOLUTION NO. 27-10 re: Cancellation ofUnc1aimed Warrants 2. RESOLUTION NO. 28-10 re: Providing a Loan to the Jefferson County Veterans Relief Fund (#155-000-010) From the County Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund (#501-00-010) 3. AGREEMENT NO. GI000406 re: Coordinated Prevention Grant Enforcement - Promote and Ensure Compliance with Solid Waste Management Regulations; Language Change Only; Jefferson County Public Health; Washington State Department of Ecology 4. AGREEMENT NO. GI000404 re: Coordinated Prevention Grant - Education; Language Change Only; Jefferson County Public Health; Washington State Department of Ecology 5. AGREEMENT NO. 0963-68037, Amendment No.3 re: Support of Chemical Dependency Prevention Services; Additional Amount of$32,715.00; Jefferson County Public Health; Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA) Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of August 2, 2010 6. AGREEMENT, Interlocal re: Environmental Health Director Services; $88.51 Per Hour; Jefferson County Public Health; Kitsap County Health District 7. AGREEMENT re: Carpet Replacement of the First Floor Conference Room and Treasurer's Office; For A Total Amount of $5,377.72; Jefferson County Central Services; McCrone Carpet One 8. Payment of Jefferson County VoucherslWarrants Dated July 19,2010 Totaling $520,572.07 and Dated July 27,2010 Totaling $44,446.70 COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners and County Administrator reported on the following items: Commissioner Austin: . Reported on the Emergency Operations Center meeting held last week which was attended by representatives of the U.S. NAVY, City of Port Townsend, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, Emergency Radio Network, and Neighborhood Preparedness Groups . There will be a drug court graduation ceremony held this Thursday at 8:30 am. in the Superior Court Courtroom. Commissioner Johnson: . Reviewed his meeting schedule for the week. Commissioner Sullivan: . Received a telephone call from Senator Patty Murray's office and was informed that the Senator along with several other Senators, will be sending a letter in support of the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools funding to the President of the United States. . He met with the City of Port Townsend's finance committee to discuss the proposed "Public Safety and Infrastructure" sales tax option. At least 1/3 of the tax must be dedicated to public safety. State law also requires that the tax be split 60% to the County and 40% to the City. County Administrator Philip Morley: . He will continue meeting with the Sportmen's Association on their permit which includes an application for an additional pistol range and possibly extending the hours of operation. Outside review of the permit is being conducted because the County is the property owner. . He will begin looking at the possibility of changing the way the Brinnon Motel is currently operated in order to maximize its potential as a motel. Approval o/Minutes: Commissioner Austin moved to approve the minutes of July 19,2010 as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Discussion re: Jefferson County Finances: County Administrator Philip Morley explained that there is growing gap between General Fund expenditures and revenues which will require significant reductions to public services and programs in order to balance the budget. The Board is being asked to consider the possibility of giving citizens a choice of whether they want to make those program and service cuts, or whether they want to provide funding to retain some programs and services. Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of August 2, 2010 . ' " ~,~>~ '"" Consultant Anne Sears reviewed General Fund Revenue and Expenditure projections for 2011 through 2015 as follows: Revenue Ex ditures Balance 2012 $15379840 $16742408 $1 362568 County Adrn;nil<f;rator Philip Morley stated that he is in negotiations with the labor unions to freeze employee pay increases for 2011 which would save approximately $350,000 and reduce the growth of costs and narrow the projected budget gaps. Discussion ensued regarding the framework for giving voters a choice between cutting or funding some programs and services. Two options to be considered for giving voters a choice include: 1) a public safety sales tax of .3% (thirty cent on a $1 00 purchase); or 2) a property tax levy lid lift. During a Special Meeting held last week on the County's Finances there was general consensus among the other Elected Officials and Department Directors that a public safety sales tax would be preferred over a property tax levy lid lift because it would apply to all citizens and visitors Countywide rather than only affecting property owners. Both options require a ballot measure which must be submitted to the Auditor by August 10,2010 in order to be included in the November election. There is only one regular Commissioner's meeting scheduled before that deadline. If a ballot measure is ellllCted by the voters, it would provide additional revenues to allow the County to keep or restore some services that would otherwise need to be reduced in order to balance the budget. Proposed ro areas to fund and reserve include: Pro mfService Sheriff & Animal Services Amount $170000 $37000 $75 000 $40 000 $126000 $20 000 $50 000 $47000 $46 000 $20 000 $30000 35 000 Prosecutor Juvenile Services Other Public Sa:6 Communi Centers/Senior Services in Tn-Are uilcene & Brinnon Communi Centers/Senior Services in Port Townsend & Gardiner Public Health Services Substance Abuse Pro Jefferson Coun Conservation District WSU - Coo rative Extension Other Communi Services Core Coun Govermnent Services Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of August 2, 2010 A Public Safety Sales Tax is authorized by state law, specifically RCW 82.14.450, which was amended this year to eliminate any restrictions on supplanting or replacing revenues for existing programs. This means any revenue generated from the new sales tax can be spent to replace funding that was cut for existing programs rather than having to use it only for new programs as was previously required before the law was changed. This tax would be split 60% to the County and 40% to the City of Port Townsend. It is projected that the tax would generate approximately $634,000 - $675,000 to fund County services and approximately $422,000 - $450,000 to fund City services. At least 1/3 of the tax must be used for criminal justice or public safety purposes. Discussions are underway with City representatives to dedicate Y2 of the City's share for 5-6 years to help fund County programs that serve within the City. Specifically, help to maintain Memorial Field, re- open and maintain the Port Townsend Recreation Center, and help to fund or match grants to make capital improvements to these facilities. If a sales tax is approved by voters, it would not go into effect until the second quarter of 20 11. Direction is needed from the Board by August 9, 2010 if the County is going to proceed with a ballot measure for a Public Safety Sales Tax. The Board agreed to proceed with giving citizens a choice of whether or not to retain some programs and services by placing a sales tax on the November ballot. The Board also agreed that the title of the sales tax needs to reflect that it is more than just a tax for public safety. It is also a tax for human and social infrastructure and essential services. Staff will prepare a resolution for consideration next week that identifies a specific list of programs and services to preserve from cuts. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S BRIEFING SESSION: County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed the following with the Commissioners: . Continue County Bndget Discussion . Calendar Coordination . Miscellaneous Items NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Austin moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:01 p.m. until the next regular Monday meeting at 9:00 am. or special meeting as properly noticed pursuant to RCW 42.30.080. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a nnanimous vote. ./~ ~1\\-"'~~ ,.':i!7'^.. stro'--tkNBD' ". ....'".. MEE ~ . .,~ \ I, ' '_' -_ -. '---~~\ I,:,' ,'_ ' _,-, "_ :~' -$ \ /. ...... ~ "'.... ,< ,.,. , SE' ..,;... '.,- ." , . "'. ~<f!l ' 'I -! 1.,., .':. tfl.:' ". If ..,' ,. / I \' f>." ~'-,.., i..' , .. ':. \ ' ~;."~,,,\~:c~,;;(:, ". c', ",. -. ,->,!:,-:,~-:-,,",,::;:''''-' .... ....(. \ ~'" 0.\ J)'. '","':" "''<.:.~~F.l-' . . ,~,f( '; ~ltSOIl t.\r,}~< ST. ~-';__ ~..c Page 4