County of Inyo

Board of Supervisors

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period. Supervisor Cervantes noted that another local resident has been killed in an automobile accident at the same location where CHP Officer Paul Pino and Lone Pine resident, Mrs. Rebecca Hart, were killed and stressed the importance of completing the four laning of Highway 395 as soon as possible.

Budget Message

The Deputy County Administrator presented the FY 2007/2008 Budget Message. He noted line item changes to the message as follows:

(a) pg. 10, third paragraph, second bullet, the General Fund savings should be ($245,444);

(b) pg. 11, HHS first bullet, it should be a Social Work IV not a III;

(c) pg. 12, second paragraph or first bullet, is misstated, the new Social Worker III position is not

contingent upon the State Budget and is fully funded in the Budget;

(d) pg. 12, second to last bullet, the figure should be $66,193;

(e) pg. 16, table should reflect District Attorney – Victim Witness Grant not Vertical Prosecution Grant;

(f) pg. 17, should also reflect District Attorney – Victim Witness Grant not Vertical Prosecution;

(g) pg. 23, Jail General, third bullet $356,955 should be $245,444;

Mr. Carunchio went on to review the Budget Message in detail and at length.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the Budget Hearings at 10:30 a.m., reconvening at 10:45 a.m., with all Board Members present.

Water Dept Budgets (Pgs. 1 through 12)

Supervisor Arcularius requested that the Water Director and the Public Works Director schedule a workshop with the Board to review the Town Water Systems in relation to the Long Term Water Agreement. Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Cash to approve the FY 2007-2008 Water Department Budget 024102, Salt Cedar Project Budget 024502, LORP Budget 621107, and Sierra Club vs. LA Court Project Budget 621900, as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

VSO Budget (Pg. 13)

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the VSO Budget 056600 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer (Pg. 16)

Ms Alisha McMurtrie, Treasurer/Tax Collector briefly addressed the Board, acknowledging that this was her first budget as the Department Head and thanked the Assessor and the Auditor-Controller for their help in making the transition smooth. Ms. McMertrie advised the Board that she is working on a fee ordinance and anticipates presenting it for the Board’s consideration in the near future. Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Cash to approve the FY 2007-08 Treasurer-Tax Collector Budget 010500 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff (Pgs. 20 through 54)

The Sheriff addressed the Board to provide overall budget comments concerning his first budget as the Sheriff. He noted the differences between the CAO Recommended and the Requested budgets. The Board, Sheriff and Staff discussed the Sgt. position, which is not being recommended; and overall staffing and retention issues. With regard to a comment made by Supervisor Cervantes regarding the lack of Sheriff’s patrol in the southeastern portion of the County, Sheriff Lutze explained that while the Department was recruiting to fill the recently vacated position in that area of the County, he was providing area patrol through the Lone Pine Office. Supervisor Bilyeu expressed a desire to see the Sgt.’s position funded. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve the FY 2007-08 Sheriff’s General Budget 022700; Animal Services Budget 023900; Jail General Budget 022900; Jail CAD/RMS Budget 022950; Jail Safety Budget 022910; Jail STC Budget 022920; Lone Pine Substation Budget 022705; Sheriff Radio System Budget 022702; Sheriff’s Safety Budget 022710; Cal-MMET Task Force Grant Budget 671406; Cal-MMET Task Force Grant Budget 671407; Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Grant Budget 671507; as recommended by the County Administrator, with direction to Staff to see if funding can be identified for the Sgt. position to be returned for consideration during final budget approval. Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/ Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed Budget Hearings at 12:00 p.m., to reconvene at 1:00 p.m., with all Board Members present.

Clerk/Recorder (Pgs. 282 through 289)

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the FY 2007-08 Clerk/Recorder-Elections Budget 011000; Clerk/Recorder Budget 010300; and Recorder Micrographic/System Budget 023401, as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

Road (Pgs. 55 through 63)

The Board and Public Works Director discussed the various budgets under his purview. Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the FY 2007-08 Road Budget 034600; Congestion Relief Budget 034602; and State Funded Road Projects Budget 034601; as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Works (Pgs. 64 through 142)

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the following FY 2007-08 Public Works Department Budgets as recommended by the County Administrator, with the motion carrying unanimously:

Public Works

Acquisitions-ACO

Airport Fuel Tank Project

Big Pine Lighting

Building & Safety

County Service Area #2

County Service Area #2-ACO

Deferred Maintenance

Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (ESRA) Operating

ESRA Improvement Projects

ESRA Terminal Construction

ESRA Special Aviation

Independence Airport Operating

Independence Special Aviation

Independence Airport Improvements

Independence Lighting

Independence Water System Upgrade

Laws Railroad Museum Rehabilitation Grant

Laws Water System Upgrade

Lone Pine Airport Operating

Lone Pine Airport Special Aviation

Lone Pine Airport Improvements

Lone Pine Lighting

Lone Pine Water System Upgrade

Maintenance Buildings & Grounds

Shoshone Airport Special Aviation

Transportation Planning Trust

Water System Independence

Water System Laws

Water System Lone Pine

Dehy Park Improvement

011500

011301

671100

800001

023200

810001

810101

011501

150100

630303

150102

150200

150300

150400

150402

800101

152102

671100

152302

150500

150600

150502

800201

152202

011100

150800

504605

152101

152301

152201

670105

Recess/ Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the Budget Hearing at 2:20 p.m., to reconvene at 2:30 p.m., with all Board Members present.

PA/PG (Pg. 143)

Ms. Patricia Barton, Public Administrator/Public Guardian provided additional information and further explanation on her request to move her Deputy position to an Assistant’s position. The County Administrator noted that the CAO recommended budget for this Department includes an equity adjustment for the position from a Range 53 to a Range 62. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the Public Administrator/Public Guardian Budget 023600 as recommended by the CAO. Motion carried unanimously.

Probation (Pgs. 146 through 153)

The Chief Probation Officer noted that there was a position omitted from the reclass list for his Department and requested that the position be included. The Deputy County Administrator, clarified that prior to the Board’s consideration of the inclusion of this position, Staff would need to verify that the recommended budget includes the changes. The Board the Chief Probation Officer discussed the Department’s budget, including identifying the $11,500 in funding needed for the Handwash/Eyewash Station from the Criminal Justice Facilities Fund. The Board asked about the SACPA funds, which are identified in this budget in light of the fact that the County refunded some of the program money back to the State. Staff indicated that they would get that information for the Board. (Note: The Assistant Director of HHS informed the Board during the public comment period of the regular meeting held the day after the budget hearings, that there was sufficient balance in the SACPA account to cover the amounts identified in this year’s budget.) Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the FY 2007-08 Probation Budget 023000 and Juvenile Institutions Budget 023100 as recommended by the CAO, and amended to include $11,500 from the Criminal Justice Facilities Fund for the Handwash/Eyewash Station, with direction to Staff to review the request to add a position to the reclass list and if appropriate add to the final budget. Motion carried unanimously.

Planning (Pgs. 154 through 164)

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the FY 2007-08 Planning and Zoning Budget 023800; Death Valley Lower Carbonate Aquifer Monitoring Program Budget 620700 and Yucca Mountain Oversight Program Budget 620605 as recommended by the CAO. Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the Budget Hearings at 3:25 p.m., to reconvene at 3:35 p.m., with all Board Members present.

Health and Human Services (HHS) (Pgs. 165 through 242)

The Board and Director of Health and Human Services discussed the various HHS budgets. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the following FY 2007-08 Health and Human Services Budgets, as recommended by the County Administrator, with the motion carrying unanimously:

AIDS Consortium-Ryan White Cares Program

Alcohol and Other Drug Services

California Children Services Administration

California Children Services (CCS)

Child Health & Disability Prevention (CHDP)

Children and Families Commission

Children and Families Commission Oral Health

Children and Families Commission School Readiness

Community Based Family Resource and Support

Community Mental Health

Drinking Driver Programs

Foster Care

General Relief

Health

HIV Master Grant

Maternal Child and Adolescent Health

Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Grant

Social Services

SACPA Services

TANF

Tobacco Tax Grant

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Workforce Investment Act

641207/641208

045315

045501

045500

045102

643000

643006

643002

642507

045200

045312

056400

056500

045100

641807

641607

641307

055800

045316

056300

640307

641906/07

613707

Advertising County Resources (Pg. 403)

The Board and Staff discussed the Advertising County Resources Budget. Ms. Donna Stroud, Tourism Director for the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Ms. Mary Canada, Sierra Business Council, Ms. Sara McCahill, Economic Development Manager for Mono County, Dave Patterson and Tawny Thompson of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce all addressed the Board to support the concept of regional collaboration for the promotion of the Eastern Sierra. Ms. Arlene Grider, Independence Chamber of Commerce, provided the Board with copies of this year’s Inyo County Visitor’s Guide. Supervisor Cervantes vehemently opposed defunding for the Chambers of Commerce by eliminating the individual Chambers’ allocation from the Advertising County Resources Budget. He explained that he feels like the smaller Chamber’s will no longer be able to remain operational and that the Chambers are doing an excellent job of promoting the County. Supervisors Arcularius, Cash, Brown and Bilyeu all supported the funding opportunities, which will be available to the Chambers through the new Advertising County Resources Grants which will give the Chambers the opportunity to shine. Mr. Allen Pietrasanta representing the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center asked the Board for an allocation to help continue the efforts of the Center. He offered an explanation as to why the organization’s formal written request was not submitted in a timely manner and asked for the Board’s consideration of a $5,000 donation for this year. Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the FY 2007-08 Advertising County Resources Budget 011400 as recommended by the County Administrator, with direction to Staff to look into identifying funding for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center. Motion carried on a four-to-one vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Cash, Brown, and Bilyeu voting yes, and with Supervisor Cervantes voting no.

Grants-in-Support (Pg. 407)

Ms. Jennifer Duncan, California Indian Legal Services, and Ms. Margaret Bruce, Child Care Connection, two of the GIS recipients, addressed the Board to provide program updates. Supervisor Brown asked that an additional $500 be considered for the Laws Railroad Museum. Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Brown, to approve the FY 2007-08 Grants-in-Support Budget 011402 as recommended by the CAO, with direction to Staff to look into identifying $500 in funding for the Laws Railroad Museum. Motion carried unanimously.

Grand Jury

(Pg. 245)

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve the FY 2007-08 Grand Jury Budget 022000 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

Farm Advisor

(Pgs. 248 through 254)

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the FY 2007-08 Farm Advisor Budget 066800, Grazing Advisory Board 3 Budget 024300, and Grazing Advisory Board 13 Budget 024400 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

E. Health (Pg. 258)

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the FY 2007-08 Environmental Health Budget 045400 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

D.A. Budgets (Pgs. 263 through 277)

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the FY 2007-08 District Attorney Budget 022400, District Attorney Safety Budget 022410; Drug Suppression Task Force Grant Budget 620307; Statutory Rape/Vertical Prosecution Grant Budget 620907; Victim/Witness Grant 620407 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

County Counsel

(Pg. 278)

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the FY 2007-08 County Counsel Budget 010700 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

County Admin.

Pgs. 290 through 365)

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the following FY 2007-08 budgets under the auspicious of the County Administrator, with the m otion being carried unanimously:

County Administrator

Acquisitions-General

Library

Law Library

Disaster Services

Economic Development

Fish & Game

IMAAA

Information Services

Financial System Project

Network project

Insurance, Retirement, OASDI

Worker’s compensation

Personnel

Motor Pool – Operating

Motor Pool – Replacement

Museum – General

Parks & Recreation

Lone Pine Park Rehabilitation Project

Public Defender

Purchasing Revolving

Risk Management

County Liability Trust

Medical Malpractice Trust

Integrated Waste Management

Solid Waste Equipment

Used Oil Grant 11-th Cycle

Used Oil Grant 12-th Cycle

010200

011300

066700

022300

023700

010202

024200

612500

011801

011808

011805

011600

500902

010800

200100

200200

077000

076900(076999)

670103

022600

200300

010900

500903

500904

045700

045702

640112

640113

Coroner (Pg. 366)

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the FY 2007-08 Coroners Budget 023500 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

Constable (Pg. 368)

The County Administrator notified the Board that the Constable position is going to remain vacant, with the Sheriff assuming the duties. Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the FY 2007-08 Constable Budget 022800 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

Child Support Services (Pg. 383)

Ms. Linda Anisman, Director of Child Support Services, addressed the Board to explain that a career ladder adjustment, which was budgeted, had been inadvertently omitted from the list and ask that it be included. Mr. Carunchio asked that this change also be made contingent upon verification of the funding for the position being in the budget. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the FY 2007-08 Child Support Services Budget 022501 as recommended by the County Administrator, with direction to Staff to review the request to include a position to the career ladder list and if appropriate include in the final budget. Motion carried unanimously.

BofS (Pg. 387)

Supervisor Cash requested that the Budget Narrative be amended to delete the reference on involvement at the Executive level with CSAC. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve the FY 2007-08 Board of Supervisors Budget 010100 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

Auditor (Pgs. 376 through 389)

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the FY 2007-08 Auditor-Controller Budget 010400; Economic Stabilization Budget 010407; General Reserve Budget 010405; Geothermal Budget 010406; Off Highway Budget 010402; and General Revenues and Expenditures Budget 011900 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

Assessor (Pg. 390)

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the FY 2007-08 Assessor Budget 010600 as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

Ag. Comm.

(Pgs. 392 through 402)

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve the FY 2007-08 Agricultural Commissioner/Director of Weights and Measures Budget 023300; Eastern Sierra Weed Management Budget 621300; Mosquito Abatement Budget 154101; as recommended by the County Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.

Budget Discussion

The Board concluded their review of the individual budgets and proceeded to discuss several of the items which were not included or may not have been included in the CAO Recommended Budgets, these included (a) a reclassification in the Probation Budget; (b) a career ladder change in Child Support Services; (c) a request for $5,000 in funding for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center; (d) an additional $500 allocation for the Laws Railroad Museum; (e) $11,500 from the Criminal Justice Facilities Fund for an Handwash/Eyewash Station at the Juvenile Hall; and (f) the addition of one Sgt. position in the Sheriff’s Department. Supervisor Cervantes reiterated his position regarding the defunding of the Chambers of Commerce and other items he felt reflected the remaining Board Members indifference to the south County’s issues. Supervisor Brown expressed her desire to see the Board move forward on solving County issues and not reducing the discussions to north vs. south.

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Cash to recess the Budget Hearings at 6:25 p.m., on August 20, 2007 to reconvene at 10:00 a.m., August 28, 2007 in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence, to continue discussions on only those items identified above which are not included in the CAO Recommended Budget.

Recess/ Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the Budget Hearings per the pervious motion to reconvene at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, August 28, 2007, with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Cash.

Budget Discussions

Mr. Kevin Carunchio, Deputy County Administrator provided a detailed recap of the budget changes, which were being considered at the request of the Board as possible changes to the current CAO Recommended Budget:

(a) A reclassification in the Probation Budget, the reclassification was not budgeted but was appropriate and the funding for the reclass was identified within the existing budget.

(b) A career ladder change in Child Support Services, the position was budgeted at the higher amount and the career ladder movement was appropriate, therefore this position is added to the list.

(c) A request for $5,000 in funding for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center, Staff has presented the spending plan and should the Board wish to honor this request, they would need to identify “contingencies” or some other funding source for the money. Mr. Carunchio, the Deputy County Administrator, noted that by funding this request outside of the recognized process, the Board could be establishing a precedent. He went on to remind the Board that this organization could submit an application for one of the Community Projects Grants, which are to be funded through the Advertising County Resources Budget.

(d) An additional $500 allocation for the Laws Railroad Museum. Mr. Carunchio reiterated that the spending plan and the Board will need to identify “contingencies” or some other revenue source for this allocation.

(e) The $11,500 from the Criminal Justice Facilities Fund for an Handwash/Eyewash Station at the Juvenile Hall. This is an appropriate use of the funds and will be incorporated into the Final Budget figures.

(f) The addition of one Sgt. position in the Sheriff’s Department. The Deputy CAO reiterated that the Board will need to identify “contingencies” or some other revenue stream to cover this position. He reminded the Board that like all other increases in authorized strength this position would need to continue to be funded in future years.

Mr. Carunchio went on to briefly talk to the Board about the recently adopted State Budget. He explained that currently the Indian Game funds, which the County used this year to fund a portion of the Grants-in-Support Budget, will in all probability not be unavailable next year as a result of the State Auditor’s audit results. He went on to explain that this would result in a loss of almost $100,000, which the County will need to replace if it intends on funding the Grants-in-Support Programs next year. The Board Members briefly reviewed those things, which had been funded and thanked Staff for a job well done.

Adoption of FY 2007-08 Budget

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Brown to adopt the FY 2007-08 Budget as recommended by the County Administrator and amended during the Budget Hearings, to include $11,500 from the Criminal Justice Facilities Fund for the Handwash/Eyewash Station at the Juvenile Hall, direct Staff to bring back critical additions to the Budget if Fund Balance finishes higher than anticipated, set the adoption of the Final Budget for September 11, 2007 and authorize the County Administrator to sign all the Grants-in-Support funding contracts without deviation with regard to funding amount, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained for the programs and amounts approved by the Board during the Budget Hearings. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Cash absent.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the FY 2007-08 Budget Hearings at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, August 28, 2007.