2017-09-28 Budget mtg - Solid Waste-Vader-FCZD for 20181
Budget meeting with Public Works – Solid Waste, Vader, FCZD
September 28, 2017
10:35 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper (10:40 a.m.), Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Becky Butler,
Steve Walton, Erik Martin, Steve Skinner, Lara Seiler, Kristen Buckman, Tim Mixer
Guests: Justyna Tomtas, Mitch Townsend, Matt Brock, Bill Marshall, Anthony Ahrens, Linda Williams
Recorder: Rieva Lester
SOLID WASTE – FUND 401, ENTERPRISE FUND
2018 prelim budget
Revenue: $2,435,039; expenditures: $2,752,439; change in Fund Balance: ($317,400); FTEs: 16.35
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL DISTRICT #1 – FUND 415, ENTERPRISE FUND
2018 prelim budget
Revenue: $6,368,300; expenditures: $6,488,315; change in Fund Balance: ($120,015); FTEs: 0
Steve Skinner discussed the transfer station and the landfill, and the declaration of the landfill as a
Superfund site.
Erik Martin and Steve Skinner discussed the Solid Waste Utility Division, the Disposal District, and the
closure of the Centralia landfill.
Becky discussed the $2 million transfer from Fund 415.
Steve Skinner discussed the process for business waste. He said the materials are later incinerated.
Erik discussed funding for the Coordinated Prevention Grant (CPG) program. He also said the name of
the grant is changing. He said Ecology had provided funding for recycling and that the funding is being
cut dramatically. Steve said the county received 65,000 tons more of trash.
Erik and Steve said there may be a need to scale back programs, such as recycling (collection events for
yard waste, Styrofoam, Christmas trees, compost garden, vermiculture classes, free disposal vouchers,
etc.) due to the cuts in the grant funding.
Becky asked about the programs linked to WSU Extension.
Commissioner Jackson left at 10:57 a.m.
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Steve Skinner discussed other counties’ efforts to offset costs, such as surcharges. Erik said the group
could look at surcharges, etc. in April/May when the funding totals become available.
Steve discussed the benefits of social media for reaching the public at lower costs.
Erik said Solid Waste is an enterprise fund that is run like a business. It spends only what it takes in.
Kristen Buckman and Steve Skinner left at 11:06 a.m. Tim Fife joined the meeting at 11:06 a.m.
EQUIPMENT RENTAL AND REVOLVING (ER&R) FUND 501, INTERNAL SERVICE FUND
2018 prelim budget
Revenue: $3,913,319; expenditures: $3,977,464; change in Fund Balance: $(64,145); FTEs: 11.35
Tim Mixer and Erik Martin discussed the ER&R, which owns and maintains county equipment.
Erik discussed the replacement schedule and how the group determines when it’s time to replace or
retire vehicles. Tim Mixer said vehicles run longer today than in the past, in part due to improved
efficiencies. He said the county oftentimes sells its used vehicles with an excess of 200,000 to 300,000
miles.
The group discussed “wash-down” vehicles.
Commissioner Fund and Commissioner Stamper left briefly at 11:19 a.m. (to pay for the volunteers’
lunch) and returned seconds later.
Becky discussed the five-year plan. Erik said the recently-hired fleet manager will be able to determine
the needs of the electeds and officials.
Erik discussed how the county purchases fleet vehicles. He said local dealerships will have an
opportunity to bid on light-duty vehicles.
Tim Mixer said the state offers an additional discount if the county can pay its bill within 20 days.
Tim Mixer left at 11:31 a.m.
VADER WATER UTILITY – FUND 420, ENTERPRISE FUND
2018 prelim budget
Revenue: $1,144,378; expenditures: $1,141,759; change in Fund Balance: $2,619; FTEs: 1.32
Lara Seiler said the county took ownership in 2014. Becky said the high revenue and expenditures are
tied to grants. Erik said a new reservoir will be constructed in 2018, using much of the funding.
Becky said an increase in fees is possible.
Bill Marshall asked how the city split its sewer and water systems. Erik said Vader wants to take back
ownership. He said the state has some requirements that must be met before that can take place.
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Becky briefly discussed the Cowlitz River Basin Flood Control Zone District and the Chehalis River Basin
Flood Control Zone District.
Erik discussed the proposed dam and the recommendation to move the fund to a 600-level fund. Erik
said the state has offered to contribute $900,000 in upfront funding toward the project. However, he
said, the lack of a capital budget has stalled that.
Erik discussed the efforts to create a legal separation for the Chehalis River and Cowlitz River Basin Flood
Control Zone Districts.
Commissioner Fund said the Cowlitz River Basin Flood Control Zone District is looking for five volunteers
for its board.
Meeting ended at 11:52 a.m.