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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-27 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 MONDAY, JULY 27, 2009 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Tammy Baney, Dennis R. Luke and Alan Unger. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; Marty Wynne, Finance; David Inbody, Internal Auditor; Larry Blanton, Sheriff; and Joe Stutler, County Forester. No representatives of the media or other citizens were present. Chair Baney opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 1. Finance Update. Marty Wynne states that there is no “big twelve” report this time due to the workload associated with year-end. In regard to the investment report, the pool has dropped to 0.9, and could go to 0.7, which are historic figures. The Bank of the Cascades is giving 2% for overnight investments, however. The current yield is 2% on investments that are on average held for 539 days. Regarding financials and the beginning net numbers, the month of July and preliminary year-end figures will be available to review at the August update. Mr. Wynne then discussed delinquent accounts – unpaid taxes. At this time, there is about $14.9 million in taxes (10,522 accounts) now delinquent at some level. The report does not detail if the delinquencies are new or are for over more than one year. In comparison, the number of delinquent accounts in 2004- 05 was 3,878 ($4.3 million). Sheriff Blanton stated that his son, who he helped purchase a home, recently talked with a bank about payment options. The property value went to an appraised value of $160,000 from $290,000 in less than a year. Mr. Wynne said that assessed value to real market value is usually about 42%. Mr. Kanner added that if the market continues to decline, soon the assessed valuation and real property value may be very close. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, July 27, 2009 Page 1 of 4 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, July 27, 2009 Page 2 of 4 Pages 2. Discussion of Contribution to Coalition Fuels Program. Sheriff Blanton said that in regard to the emergency gated access points in the County, his staff checked the key boxes and found they all have wasps and hornets living in them. They are getting spray to make sure these locks can be accessed in the event of a fire. In regard to the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, which is part of the coalition, is working hard on developments on coalition fuels program. The meeting and tour of various projects is scheduled at 8:30 on July 30, and at least two of the Commissioners plan to attend. Sheriff Blanton said that Mr. Stutler is doing a good job with the various forestry programs. 3. Consideration of Approval of the Internal Audit Work Plan for 2009-10. David Givans provided a breakdown of the items on his work plan. One of the items on the work plan is oversight of the jail remodel project. Mr. Kanner said he was concerned that the contracts for large projects do not protect the County in many cases. For instance, the AIA agreement favors the architect but not the County, and the language in the AIA agreement should be reflected in the contracts with the developer, architect and builder. Mr. Kanner said he talked to Mr. Givans about the County being fiscally sound, which it is; however, putting general funds money has grown every year for putting this money into general funds. There are concerns as to what the results are from this investment. He wants to know if this is still the priority of the Board. Commissioner Luke stated that he would like to have this discussion a few months prior to the budget meetings. This should affect fiscal year 2011- 12’s budget. Mr. Givans presented the Plan, which has been approved by the Audit Committee. LUKE: Move approval of the Audit Plan. UNGER: Second. VOTE: LUKE: Yes. UNGER: Yes. BANEY: Chair votes yes. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Monday, July 27, 2009 Page 3 of 4 Pages 4. Consideration and Signature of Document 2009-440, Amending an Employment Agreement. The Commissioners commended Mr. Kanner on his job performance. LUKE: Move approval. UNGER: Second. VOTE: LUKE: Yes. UNGER: Yes. BANEY: Chair votes yes. 5. Update of Commissioners’ Meetings and Schedules. Concerning the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department’s recent meeting regarding small business support, per Commissioner Baney there will be a regional representative whose work will include three smaller counties. 6. Other Items. Sheriff Blanton suggested that the County have a program similar to the Citizens’ Academy at the Sheriff’s Office so that the public can find out exactly what the County does with its tax dollars. His Department’s Academy has been very successful for years and he finds that citizens are amazed at what is being done; most of them simply do not know. 7. Executive Session, under ORS 192.660(2)(h), Pending or Threatened Litigation; and ORS 192.660(2)(d), Labor Negotiations. The group went into executive session at 2:25 p.m. No formal action was taken. Being no further items addressed, the meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.