Skip to content

12/22/23 09 AM: BOCC Approves Public Hearing Resolution for Health Emergency Budget

BOCC Approves Public Hearing Resolution for Health Emergency Budget

Board unanimously approves resolution announcing Jan 8 public hearing for $640K emergency supplemental budget in Public Health Fund 127, covering personnel, insurance, services with added grant revenues, avoiding 2023 deficit.

Approval of Resolution for Public Hearing on Emergency Supplemental Budget Appropriation for Public Health Fund 127

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:03:32–00:08:27 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, personnel, services, contracts

Summary

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held a special meeting to approve a resolution announcing a public hearing on January 8, 2024, for an emergency supplemental budget appropriation in the Public Health Department's Fund 127 to recognize $449,661 in additional grant revenues and appropriate $640,000 in expenditures for personnel benefits, insurance, and professional services, avoiding a deficit for the 2023 budget year. Staff explained the need arose from missed inclusions in prior quarter appropriations, changes in funding, and communication challenges with outside agencies, with procedures now in place to prevent recurrence. The resolution was unanimously approved.

Key Discussion Points

  • Mark (County Administrator): Announced the public hearing to consider emergency appropriation for Public Health to recognize additional grant revenues and increase budget capacity to pay vendors and employees for 2023 without deficit.
  • Judy (Finance): Noted this occurs due to more money passing through departments, leading to higher expenditures; emphasized avoiding state auditor findings from negative budgets and closer monitoring in 2024.
  • Veronica (Public Health): Apologized for the issue, attributing it to funding changes, tracking challenges, missed page in third quarter appropriation submission, and dual roles; highlighted new staff (Jen Mitchell) and a large 2024 budget over $8 million, committing to improved procedures.
  • Chair: Asked for categorization of the issue, confirmed it was due to missed calculations in third quarter spreadsheet.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

The supporting materials detail the emergency appropriation request for Fund 127: $640,000 total expenditures ($427,962 personnel benefits; $141,668 insurance amending current $78,000 to $219,668; $70,370 professional services amending current $10,500 to $80,870), offset by $449,661 revenues ($391,069 grants including specific subcategories like Chimacum Creek Confluence $20,068 and others; $58,592 licenses/fees/public works), with net $190,339 from fund balance. Legal requirement per RCW 36.40.140 mandates public hearing. Department confirmed sufficient fund balance; BOCC decision aligned with staff recommendation.

Financials

  • Total requested one-time expenditure appropriation: $640,000 ($427,962 personnel benefits; $141,668 insurance; $70,370 professional services).
  • Total requested one-time revenue appropriation: $449,661 (grants $391,069; licenses/fees/public works $58,592).
  • Net impact: $190,339 from Fund 127 unencumbered fund balance.
  • 2024 Public Health budget projected over $8 million.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the resolution in the matter of a hearing notice for an emergency, 2,023 supplemental budget appropriation for fund 1 27 personal benefits insurance and professional services."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all in favor indicated by "Aye"; no opposed).
  • Next Steps:
  • Publish hearing notice in Port Townsend Leader: 2023-12-27 (first) and 2024-01-03 (second).
  • Hold public hearing: 2024-01-08 at 10:15 a.m. in Commissioners Chambers (hybrid).
  • Accept written testimony: 2023-12-27 through 2024-01-08.

Background Materials

Contents

AI Information