Flag Salute & Invocation by Pete Charron
 
Visiting Rotarians: None
 
Guests: Michael Boczek, Curtis Dye’s guest Herm Laninga, Lance’s guest Josh Barrett (Wells Fargo advisor), Chris White’s guest Scott Walker.
 
See committee assignments, we’ll have a club assembly later in September.
 
Tonja says 6 spots still available for the fellowship event Jan 20 MBT:  Rain (live Beatles tribute band), plus dinner at Table.
 
This Thursday BBRC board meeting 4:00pm (NOT 4:30 PM!) at Talbot office, all are welcome.
 
An ad-hoc sub-committee (under the Membership Committee) is meeting to discuss the size of membership of the club.
 
Bob Yost and Kathy Cheldelin have announced their resignations. 
 
Short program:  Tresha and Christine discussed the Grape & Gourmet fundraiser event, which will be held at the Silver Reef Casino on Nov. 2 (Sunday night).  Tickets are $75 for regular entry, or $125 for VIP early-entry.
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Eddie for successful party last weekend, thanks to Anna for her help, cops only came twice about the noise;
  • Tim Krell says Eddie threw quite the loud party;
  • Bill Geyer for yesterday’s City Council meeting;
  • Lance son went to kindergarten, start of youth soccer season!
  • Donna gave $100 to BBRC foundation, for 40th class reunion, daughter tuned 21, today is Donna’s birthday!
  • Tonja Myers mom turned 80 last weekend, big party;
  • Margarita daughter married last weekend, stressful but successful wedding;
  • John Templeton;
  • Tresha Dutton;
  • Brent Walker two glorious weeks on his boat;
  • Barry Kramer four days in Whistler, great time there with his kids;
  • Bryant successful office move to Barkley (top floor of Dorothy Haggen Building), and  attended Eddie’s crazy party;
  • Phil X Hageman working on Food Bank project, pouring concrete as we meet;
  • Scotty missed meeting;
Sergeant at Arms by Flo Simon
Fines for the Johnny’s Donut 1K run, Bill Geyer, Phil spilled ice, and Eddie as former cheerleader.  And a moment of silence to remember fallen officer Matt Herzog (September 2001), and victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
 
Program
Dannon introduced County Executive Jack Loews.  Jack was elected in 2011 for a 4 year term.  Previously he had chaired numerous boards and councils.  His father was also County Executive.  His business is Louws Truss - now in third generation.
 
County Update:
Working with annual budget of $175M, which has been relatively stable over the past decade. 
26% is General Government (County Assessor, Auditor, Executive, Council, Courts, Treasurer)
23% is Security of Persons & Property (Planning and Development, Jail, Juvenile, Sheriff)
17% is Public Works
 
Overall, the County budget is healthy, because economy is recovering (tax base up) and the council has been good at holding expenses down.  
County has hired a 4th superior court judge, and that comes with major remodel in courthouse.  A new records management system was installed in the Sheriff’s office and upwards of 500 computers within county government were upgraded. Also they will be installing a new county telephone/communications system ($2M).
 
Duties:
  • Supervise all administrative offices and executive departments
  • Enforce all ordinances and State statutes within the County
  • Estimate quarterly and annual revenues; recommends annual budget to County Council; monitors expenses to assure budget compliance
  • Appoint members to boards and commissions
  • Respond to citizen concerns, complaints and requests
  • Represent Whatcom County at local, regional, state and federal levels 
Some of his initiatives for next year:
  1. A new Whatcom County website platform: this web interface will go online by next spring, that includes geographical overlays, etc.  Very powerful tools will be there online.
  2. More efficient at permit center - a new records management system for PDS and Public Works,;
  3. Criminal justice department will also be getting an integrated database system;
  4. Water resources planning and monitoring will be a priority, in-stream flows on Nooksack River (the start of a 20 year process) - water is the number one challenge in the county;
  5. Next August the County may be asking for a higher sales tax, partially to cover cost of a new correctional facility (jail) approx. cost $110.  
  6. Also, renovation of the Courthouse exterior, a renewed focus on Economic Development opportunities, and the upgrading of the audio/visual capabilities in the council chambers.
Debbie K wins the raffle.
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Stowe Talbot