BET seeks clearer process for watch list and future‑forecast tracker, removes duplicate items

At its July 9 meeting the Budget & Evaluation Team debated how items are added to the FY27 watch list and future‑forecast tracker and voted to remove duplicates from the tracker.

The Chair urged the group to return to a prior practice that required a specific agenda item and a supporting form if members want the BET to recommend funding or to add an item to the watch list. "If we want an item on the watch list, I think we need to have an agenda item to put it on the watch list," the Chair said, arguing the change would make the process clearer and more transparent.

Legal and staff representatives said they had not been advised that the recent, more flexible procedures were impermissible but agreed that using a consistent, documented form would improve clarity. The Chair said he would locate the forms used in 2020 and asked staff to help distribute them so members can decide whether to restore the form‑driven process at the next BET meeting.

The board also moved to remove specific items from the future‑forecast tracker. Members voted to remove the Behavioral Care Center FY27 item because it already appears on the FY27 watch list, and separately voted to remove a GIS line item from the tracker; both motions passed by voice vote.

No new funding decisions were made. The Chair said discrete funding recommendations should be brought as dedicated agenda items with supporting documentation so the BET can make informed recommendations to the county budget board.