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1. Test assumptions and inferences. <br /> 2. Share all relevant information. <br /> 3. Use specific examples, and agree on what important words mean. <br /> 4. Explain your reasoning and intent. <br /> 5. Focus on interests, not positions. <br /> 6. Combine advocacy and inquiry. <br /> 7. Jointly design steps and ways to test disagreements. <br /> 8. Discuss "undiscussable" issues. <br /> 9. Use a decision-making rule that generates the level of commitment needed <br /> The Board agreed to work under the ground rules today, including the intention to make <br /> decisions by consensus where possible, and by majority vote where necessary. Rod <br /> Visser indicated his intention to adhere to the ground rules as well, and asked Board <br /> members to indicate to him if they believe at any time that he is not doing so. <br /> Chair Jacobs expressed appreciation to Commissioners Gordon, Pelissier, and Rich, <br /> and to the Manager and staff, for their work in putting together the agenda for the <br /> retreat. <br /> Rod Visser gave background information on the process by which the retreat agenda <br /> was constructed by the planning committee, to provide context on how the retreat <br /> topics and objectives were developed. <br /> Commissioners agreed that the retreat agenda developed by the retreat planning <br /> committee, Manager, and staff was a reasonable starting point for the retreat. <br /> 1. Budget/Capital Investment Plan/Bond Referendum <br /> A. Budget Drivers/Revenue Estimates/Fund Balance Estimates <br /> (Clarence Grier— Presenter& Rod Visser) <br /> Clarence Grier gave the following update on the 2014-15 projected budget funding <br /> issues: <br /> Original budgeted revenue for the current fiscal year was $182.5 million. He sees that <br /> as a good starting point for the upcoming fiscal year. Anticipated adjustments to that <br /> base figure include: <br /> • $2.6 million in property tax revenues, based on projected growth of 1.5% <br /> • Sales tax revenue growth of$1.3 million, based on the economy recovering, which <br /> will bring the County up to what it collected last year <br /> • No major increases in licenses and permits, charges for services, miscellaneous <br /> revenue, intergovernmental revenue, or investment income <br /> • Plan to use excess fund balance above 17%, which will be about $5.7 million. This <br /> includes about $2.1 million in 2012-13 fund balance and about $3.5 million that will <br /> come from this current year's projected year end fund balance. <br /> This brings total expected adjustments to revenuesof just over $9.5 million. Estimated <br /> revenues for 2014-15 would be about $192.1 million. <br /> Expenditures start out at about $187.7 million. Anticipated major adjustments include: <br /> • Health insurance increases of about $350,000 <br />