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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/10/15 - Briefing (2) J � BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES Monday,October 15,2012 Commission Chambers 411 North Fifth Street,Shelton WA 98584 The 2013 budget workshop commenced at 1:33 p.m. Commissioners Ring Erickson,Sheldon,and Bloomfield were in attendance. Auditor's Office-Theresia Ehrich,reviewed the 2013 budget requests. Currently there is a$1.8 million difference between requested expenditures and estimated revenues.The total requests are$23.9 million. Cmmr.Ring Erickson pointed out this is not the 2013 budget. This is the annual departmental requests, which starts the budget process. Ms. Ehrich stated that in 2012,the expenditures are$25.4 million and revenues are$23.6 million. Anticipated revenues will be a little higher and expenditures a little lower in 2012. There is usually over$1 million not spent. There will be an increase in the PERS rates starting in July 2013 which will amount to about$125,000 for the July through December 2013 period for Current Expense. The L&I rates are not increasing. There were 50 staff reductions made in 2009 and most have not been restored. The medical contributions are budgeted at 2012 amounts. Cmmr. Sheldon noted the Finance Committee met today and 2013 revenues are projected to be flat. Central Operations, Commissioners, Risk Mana eg ment Diane Zoren requested that Central Operations&Risk Management staff hours be restored to full time status. This would be an increase of$34,799 for Central Operations and an increase of$22,961 for Risk Management. Benefits of restoration- the Commnissioners'Office,Risk Management&Switchboard will be open on Fridays. Improved service to the public&other county offices. Central Operations will provide clerical support to Public Defense, continue to develop Risk Management services including employee training, policy implementation,risk prevention &public records,continue to provide Law Library Support. A budget transfer would be budgeted fi•om the Law Library fund to Central Operations, pending approval from Law Library Committee. The Commissioners approved this request. Non-Departmental Add a $5,000 budget line for property management. The Commissioners approved this request. Cmmr. Bloomfield brought up the$2,500 paid to Hood Canal Coordinating Council(HCCC). He does not support the counties participation with HCCC. After discussion,the Board agreed to remove this from the budget and asked Diane to work with Tim Whitehead on how to withdraw from the interlocal agreement. The Board also directed the WSAC 2013 Timber Coordinator position be removed from the budget. The Board discussed the WACO dues. Lisa Frazier,Karen Herr and Sheriff Salisbury commented that they believe it is a valuable resource. The Board agreed to budget for the WACO dues. WSAC and NACO dues are paid fi-om Public Works. Special Funds Increase Island Lake LMD to reflect anticipated revenues. The Commissioners approved this request. Superior Court Judge Finlay stated Superior Court is requesting to increase the Court Commissioner salary to 85%of the Superior Court Judge. A statewide salary survey was done and other counties are setting the Court Commissioner salary at 90%of the Superior Court Judge. Currently the Court Commissioner is paid at 63% of the Superior Court Judge or$93,600. The request is for an$37,797 addition in that budget line. There was a discussion of how the benefit package compares to other counties. f 2013 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes October 15, 2012 Cmmr. Sheldon suggested splitting the difference and setting the salary at 74%of the Superior Court Judge. It was agreed to set at 75%of the Superior Court Judge salary at $111, 624.The increase,with benefits, would be$20,702.37. Judge Sheldon explained there are two court cases that neither she or Judge Finlay can preside over and they will need to use a judge pro tempore and requested a$6,460 increase in that budget line. The Board approved this request. Probation Services Harris Haertel explained an umbrella of problem solving court services. Requested a transfer of$6,952 from Juvenile Services to Superior Court for Adult Felony Drug Court. Bob Deans explained the Probation Services case management system that needs replacement. The new system would be web based. The annual cost would be$5,000 and an on-going cost. Ciwnr. Ring Erickson stated she has problem with buying computers and software with the mental health tax money. There was a discussion of where to fund the$5,000, Vicki Kirkpatrick interjected that for evaluation purposes, case management system is necessary. The 1/10 of 1%Mental Health Tax Committee did look at the reduction of recidivism in the criminal justice system which reduces costs. Cmmr. Ring Erickson asked that the$5,000 request be held for now. Mr. Haertel talked about the Family Drug Treatment Court using the mental health tax. The goal is to be LIP and running April 1,2013. He explained what will be needed to meet this deadline. Cmmr. Ring Erickson commented that she is fine with additional staffing to provide drug court services fi•om the mental health tax,but doesn't want to provide"stuff'. Juvenile Court-Mike Dunn requested an additional$6,645 for a web base case management system. This would be for nine users with unlimited viewer rights with proper security rights. This is to replace an existing system that is obsolete. The Commissioners asked that this be held for now. Diana Renecker stated the 2013 budget needs to be changed to reflect a reclassification that was approved in 2012. The Board approved this request. Public Health& Human Services Vicki Kirkpatrick talked about the approximate 5%increase in the Public Health budget that is primarily due to grant increases and she presented grant and program details. Two areas of future challenges are water quality and communicable diseases. The water quality program completely relies on grant funding. She anticipates reducing the water quality program in 2014 and eliminate in 2015 unless other resources are identified. They have been successful in grant requests. With flat Current Expense funding, Public Health has provided passive surveillance on communicable disease and TB. Historically this area has been a local count),responsibility and Ms. Kirkpatrick has concerns xwith not being able to comply with state law. Cmmr. Sheldon stated since that is a core function, where would Public Health go for money. 2013 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes October 15, 2012 Ms. Kirkpatrick answered she would come to the Commissioners for finding because most of their budget is grant funding. In order to receive grant funding, they have to provide that service. They have done a lot of staff cross training but she wants to caution the Board they have very low Current Expense funding. Cmmr. Ring Erickson spoke to the clean water issue. The county has been using,09 funding for Oakland Bay. Other taxing alternatives that have been suggested, have not been popular. Cmmr. Sheldon asked why would the find carry over not go back to the .09 find. After discussion,that would mean a$50,000 cut in 2013 for water quality in Oakland Bay, Ms. Kirkpatrick stated that Public Health has strong 2013 goals that include improvements to the Community Health hnprovement Plan(CHIP), homeless plan,and implementation of services from the mental health tax. Adiourn The budget workshop adjourned at approximately 3:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted. Diane Zoren,Assistant to County Commissioners BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS �( 4tyaRing Ericl n Tim Sheldon Steve Bloomfield Chair Commissioner Commissioner