State Audit triggers Evergreen Commission to strengthen oversight of levy-funded services

Charles Pilcher
Evergreen Hosp.commissioner

In early July, the State Auditor's Office gave the Evergreen Administration notice of a 2010 Accountability Audit including the Levy. 

This triggered the Board to take action on key Levy items in their July 6, Board meeting.   The Minutes state, "Commissioner Pilcher is concerned about oversight of levy-funded services and would like to see that strengthened." 

Commissioner Greenfield commented "that levy programs should be able to answer the questions of how they are making the community healthier, what is the measure and rate of change, and are they supporting the strategic objectives of Evergreen?"

Commissioner Hirt commented, "that while the number of beneficiaries is important, program effectiveness is also key."  Ms. Hirt is taking a more active role on the Levy Committee. 

Ms. Laurene H. Burton, Administrative Director,* presented the draft of a new "Levy Committee Charter" on July 19, 2011.  The Charter bolsters oversight of the Levy by identifying and formalizing the Levy Committee purpose, composition, responsibilities and duties.  The Commission was operating without a Levy Charter up until July, 2011. Read More >>


Ms. Burton noted that "over 250,000 individuals had benefited from these programs and partnerships" though offered no data in the Minutes to back that up.  In addition, meeting packets aren't published.

In their October 4th Study Session, the Administration invited Hazel Gantz, hazel.gantz@kingcountry.gov, County Dept. of Assessments to present preliminary levy limit information -another first for the Commission.

By Bob Yoder
Source:  KCPHD #2 Board Meeting Minutes, 7/5/2011 as recorded by Laurene Burton
Salary source:  2/10/2011 Public Record Request dated 1/26/2011.

*Ms. Burton, is Evergreen's Public Records Officer and "Administrative Director of Governance and Community Services." She serves as the liaison between Evergreen and its publicly elected Board of Commissioner and oversees community service programs and levy-funded programs. Her compensation in 2010 was $133,088.18 (includes a $14,014.73 incentive). Ms. Burton's compensation is more than the Mayor of Redmond will have next year.