2018-10-29 Update with BudgetUpdate with Budget
October 29, 2018
2:30 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, County Manager Erik
Martin, Budget Services Manager Becky Butler, Assessor Dianne Dorey (by phone), Fleet Services
Manager Tim Murphy, Daleyn Coleman (2:53 p.m.)
Guests: Dr. Lindsey Pollock, Alex Brown of The Chronicle (2:35 p.m.), Jared Wenzelburger of The
Chronicle (2:43 p.m.), Winlock Mayor Don Bradshaw (3:42 p.m.)
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Assessor Dianne Dorey said it is necessary for each appraiser to have his or her own vehicle because the
car is the appraiser’s office. She said she has six cars and that all field appraisers are in the field at once.
Alex Brown of The Chronicle joined at 2:35 p.m.
Dianne said all of her positions are filled. She said Motor Pool said it would be cheaper to add a vehicle
instead of renting one sporadically.
Tim Murphy said it would be cheaper to purchase the vehicle than to continue renting one. He said the
appraisers typically log 12,000 miles during the course of a year.
Dianne left the meeting at 2:41 p.m.
Jared Wenzelburger of The Chronicle joined at 2:43 p.m.
Tim said it would be advantageous to purchase the additional vehicle. He said the Assessor’s Office has
six vehicles and that this would make seven.
Tim said the final replacement is set to take place in 2020.
Jared Wenzelburger left at 2:49 p.m.
The group discussed having the Assessor track the new employee’s mileage use. The group also
discussed possibly approving the request if the Assessor can absorb the additional cost in her budget.
Daleyn Coleman joined at 2:53 p.m.
Tim said another option could be the lease a vehicle. He said a Kia lease would cost roughly $300 a
month. He said risks include damage and maintenance.
The commissioners said they would not approve the Assessor’s budget increase request but that the
Assessor could choose to make the purchase if she can absorb the additional cost in her existing budget.
Becky said Superior Court has requested an increase to the court commissioner’s salary. Daleyn
Coleman said the court commissioner last received a pay increase in January 2018. They said the court
commissioner works full time. Becky noted that the judges received a pay increase in September and are
slated to receive increases in July 2019 and again in July 2020.
Erik Martin left at 3:06 p.m.
The commissioners denied Superior Court’s budget request regarding the court commissioner’s salary.
Becky said she would draft memos regarding the two decisions.
Daleyn left at 3:13 p.m.
Erik returned at 3:16 p.m.
The commissioners reviewed budget decisions the board previously made and signed memos to the
offices and departments that had made those requests.
Becky said internal rate sheets are due back Oct. 30 and that she’ll review those with the board.
Becky said the second half of the county’s timber tax revenue is expected in November.
The group discussed asking the coroner to track expenses and revenues for the Dig Class to determine
whether it truly generates revenue.
The commissioners said they likely would have Warren McLeod merely do a budget amendment after
the fact.
Becky said Suzette is creating a new fund for the weed assessment. She said 2019 will show it as a
transfer since the assessment will be assessed in 2019 but not collected until 2020.
Becky said security changes at Law and Justice also will have an impact on the budget.
Becky said a new “marketplace” sales tax could be beneficial to the county.
The group discussed a “soft” hiring freeze.
The group discussed a request to increase a criminal deputy from a 30 to a 34.
Winlock Mayor Don Bradshaw joined at 3:42 p.m.
Meeting ended at 3:43 p.m.