Minutes 11-10-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 Commissioner Rich said she would like to avoid the uncomfortable position of having to choose whether to give the extra fund balance to the schools or the non-profits. Commissioner Burroughs said the full funding option is dicey, and most non-profits ask for the amount that has been previously received. Commissioner Burroughs said she likes a formula, and she does not like the horse- trading for non-profits that is done during the funding process. She said a percentage makes sense, and she felt 1% is too low but 2% is too high. She would like something around 1.25%. Commissioner Jacobs said it is good to have a target for budget purposes, and starting at 1% allows the Board to go up, if necessary. He said that kind of control with flexibility has worked well with schools, and would work well with the non-profits. Commissioner Price said using a percentage of the budget as a target would work well. Commissioner Price said she is hoping that the Manager's meeting with the non-profits prior to the budget discussion would provide more insight into their individual requests for funding. Bonnie Hammersley said staff has been looking at how to provide a more streamlined process for the Board. She said the process of evaluating the applications is good, as well as having advisory boards to look at the applications; but face time with these requesting outside agencies has been missing. She said staff would also like to implement having the outside agencies meet with the Board at a separate work session, rather than during the intent-to-adopt- the-budget work session. Commissioner Pelissier said she liked that idea. She said she did like the "horse trading" discussions because the Board sometimes learns new information, and sometimes changes have occurred from the application submission in January and the Board budget process in June. She said she likes the percentage of the budget, as it is the cleanest option. Commissioner Rich said she also liked the ideas of the Manager/non—profits interviews; the Board meeting with the non-profits during a work session; and the percentage of the budget option. She said she would want to insure, however, that there is flexibility, and the percentage should be a target. Commissioner Price agreed. She said Durham's process uses interviews, where the applicants can talk with the elected officials. Commissioner Price asked if, in the past, have the applicants been able to meet with the evaluators. Bonnie Hammersley said no. She said one of the first questions in the interview will be, "has anything changed since you submitted this application?" Commissioner Jacobs referred to the funding chart, and it looks similar to the school funding methodology. Gary Donaldson said there was a question about funding differences, and it was $50,000 more in outside agency funding this year than last year. Commissioner Burroughs said she strongly supports the agencies speaking to staff, but not to elected officials. She said she will advocate for a rounding up to 1.25 as a percentage of the budget for outside agencies. Commissioner Jacobs said in relation to what the staff recommends, he does not always feel like he has enough information about the applicant; either why they did not get funded or got meritorious recognition. He said this information would be helpful. Commissioner Rich said she would also like to hear about duplicate services. Commissioner Jacobs said the Board must be clear on what it is being asked to fund or not to fund. Chair McKee said for staff to bring them back a policy for a percentage of funding 1-1.25 %. He said the Board liked the new process and having a separate work session for discussion.