09/27/2007: "Poor Attendance At 1st Budget Workshop"

The County Council held the first of a number of meetings on the 2008 budget that are intended to receive public input ( Related Story ), but few from the public showed up. Holding the meetings while the public is at work may explain the poor attendance, it did not result in a no-show from various county departments and committees that receive their funding from the Council.

County Administrator Pete Rose introduced the draft budget by reminding the public that the 38-million dollar budget addresses services provided by choices made by the Council and those required by law.

Following are some of the comments made by those who testified for and against programs and items in the draft budget:

Gilbert Blinn, a Parks Board member from Orcas led off, urging the Council to dedicate more funds and full time personnel to Parks and Recreation. Blinn expressed concern that park employees had been donating work off-hours to help out in the busy season and they need to be compensated.

Sandy Playa, also a Parks Board member from Orcas, followed Blinn, urging the Council to fund a position that could help coordinate and oversee events at the new Band Shell on Orcas.

Ed Carlberg of San Juan Senior Services Advisory Committee, asked the council to give a high priority to funding Senior Centers. He pointed out that Islanders qualify for seniors programs at age 60 and, “Baby boomers are just turning 60.”

Amy Windrope and Steve Hussey, of the County Critical Areas Ordinance advisory committee, urged the council to appropriate money to provide more staff help, including an independent facilitator to lead their group’s discussions.

And Ron Zee, Chair of the Agricultural Resources Committee asked the Council to continue its support of that committee’s staff and efforts.

Tom Munsey urged more spending on the problem of poverty, saying that 10% of the County’s population lives below the poverty line and 50% of the babies born to County residents use Medicaid.

Joe Foggia of San Juan Island suggested the County could save money by retaining an outside company to provide public relations services, rather than to pay a full time communications program manager.

Gordy Peterson of San Juan Island also criticized the County for hiring a communications manager, and for not realizing the savings projected by the hiring of a professional County Manager. He urged the county to resist the urge to pass new fees and taxes, “it takes a lot of courage to stand against the tide of requests for more money.”

Sharon Kivisto provided the last word, raising the affordable housing issue and suggesting that the County would be better served by an affordable housing coordinator than a communications manager.