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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-17 Work Session Minutes Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org MINUTES OF WORK SESSION DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2008 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke, Michael M. Daly and Tammy Baney. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Dave Inbody, Assistant to the Administrator; Hillary Saraceno, Commission on Children & Families; Judy Stiegler, Oregon Representative-elect; media representative Hillary Borrud of The Bulletin; and four other citizens. Chair Luke opened the meeting at 1:35 p.m. 1. Discussion regarding County Legislative Priorities. Dave Kanner explained that the Public Affairs Counsel would be in touch with newly elected Representative Judy Stiegler during the legislative session. One major issue for Deschutes County is a proposal for a tax credit in south Deschutes County to upgrade septic systems as part of the local rule process. The idea is that people who have to upgrade or connect to sewer be eligible for a tax credit of up to $9700 over 14 years. It is unlikely that many people will upgrade now since it is not immediately required. Representative Gene Whisnant and the legislative counsel are already involved. The current pollution control tax credit expires in two weeks. The Department of Environmental Quality may allow something similar, but it is for air pollution control for dairies, and they did not want to include this. The real objection came from the Department of Agriculture and the Farm Bureau. Commissioner Luke said this is important to all local citizens because they are downstream. It is not dangerous now but he feels it is important to be proactive. If this situation is allowed to worsen, the cost could increase substantially. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, December 17, 2008 Page 1 of 5 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, December 17, 2008 Page 2 of 5 Pages Commissioner Baney said she realizes that a tax credit will not help those who do not pay much tax, but some funds should be set aside for this use. Much depends on the level of need. This would be for a small, targeted group but a great benefit. Commissioner Luke added that the local rule might be on the ballot in March or May. Klamath County has indicated an interest in something similar in northern Klamath County. Mr. Kanner stated that this could apply anywhere in the State where the DEQ has determined there is a health hazard. Another big issue is reform of the tort claims act. Numerous entities are interested in this and there is a bipartisan legislative task force involved. The staff proposal would likely work for other self-insured entities. A lot of organizations are interested in the Transportation Planning Rule. Various sources of funding have been recommended or discussed. Commissioner Baney said that there needs to be a better way of identifying congestion or ways to mitigate this problem rather than just imposing a moratorium. Commissioner Luke noted that this problem is typically just for two or three hours a day. Alan Unger stated that some businesses could alter their shift times to help with this problem. In regard to energy retrofits of government buildings, it does not make sense to limit this to just solar. It is cost prohibitive in many cases to make those changes at this time. Regarding destination resorts, this is a hot topic and will get even more attention. Commissioner Luke stated that the legislature used to super-site them with no public input. Some people want the decision to be moved over to Salem. This issue has a big impact on Deschutes County. Destination resorts bring in a lot of money and often businesses and jobs. Ms. Stiegler stated that probably some kind of compromise would come out of the process. Ms. Stiegler said the revenue forecasts are bleak and getting worse. To some extent, it will be where the line is held. Education is a big issue, as is workforce development and the OSU Cascades branch. Public safety has made some progress and should not be allowed to regress. Local governments do not have the luxury of adding to their budgets for this. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, December 17, 2008 Page 3 of 5 Pages The goal is to do the least amount of harm to people as possible. Human services programs have huge, gaping holes. Mr. Unger said that he is on the Revenue Reform Task Force, which feels that property taxes are going the wrong direction, creating a huge burden on people. He added that water is a big issue. More goes into destination resorts than what the cities use here. There is a need to put surface water back into the rivers. The water bank is being developed, and there needs to be a funding source to be able to buy water to avoid speculation. Also, a stimulus package needs to be supported. Commissioner Baney said this is difficult because ground needs to be shovel-ready to take on projects. Commissioner Baney stated that Measure 57 is very important. LPSCC (Local Public Safety Coordinating Council) feels that cases could be held in pre-trial for a long time, creating a major bottleneck. Ms. Stiegler added that programs have been very successful, and she does not think the cuts will be as drastic as they were presented in the Governor’s budget. Commissioner Baney discussed the executive summary of the community system of care. The state is going more into the community for this rather than the state hospital type of care. Mr. Kanner said that often the funding follows the patient. The impact of 1145 was also discussed, along with the caseloads under Parole & Probation. Ms. Stiegler said she was told there could be three or more special sessions to be able to address all the issues, but most of the legislators are determined to be out of session on time. 2. Discussion of United Way 2-1-1 Project. John McLaughlin did a PowerPoint presentation on the 2-1-1 project. The various partners are United Way, the Partnership to End Poverty, the Family Resource Center and the Commission on Children & Families. The 2-1-1 phone number would help to connect individuals with needs to the appropriate agencies. There are approximately 500 nonprofits in Deschutes County and various agencies, making this project very complicated. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, December 17, 2008 Page 4 of 5 Pages Commissioner Luke said this is nationwide, not just local. It will be similar to the 9-1-1 program in some ways. Mr. McLaughlin said some areas have nothing yet; some have a website established. The plan is to go live in early January to make sure all is going well. The real use will begin in early February. Social services assistance and information will be available, as will disaster information. The hope is that this will complement and reduce the workload of 9-1-1. Booklets have been compiled by various agencies; this would combine those efforts. In this way, the various agencies will have information on all of the other agencies and can refer people to the appropriate one. This results in cost efficiencies for all of the involved entities, and should enhance response times. The call service will be outsourced to 211info (Portland), and will be active from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays at this point. The database will be regional in nature. Some of the calls will be from people who wish to volunteer. The anticipated use is 12,000 inquiries or more in the tri-county area; and 800 or more volunteers and donors. Operating costs would run approximately $95,000 the first fiscal year, $103,000 the following year and $105,000 in 2010-11. Some funding has been granted by agencies, foundations and businesses; governments will also be asked for funds. 2-1-1- will be governed by the United Way. Just as 9-1-1 is the core infrastructure for public safety, 2-1-1 would be the infrastructure for public services. The group will ask for $25,000 from the County budget for 2009-10 to fund this project. Discussion occurred as to how this need might be funded. Commissioner Baney said she feels that the 2-1-1 group, as a community partner, reapply each year so that the Commissioners can be more aware of what is happening with the project. Commissioner Luke pointed out that the County has monetary limits and has to take care of how funds are allocated. The commitment towards 2-1-1 would not be for a year or two; it would be forever. Mr. Wilhelm said that they plan to budget with a 7% increase annually, and the cost could be borne one-third by the public, including foundations; one-third by private industry; and one-third by government entities.