STATE
OF
The
Henderson County Board of Commissioners met for a regularly scheduled meeting
at 8:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Meeting Room of the Historic Courthouse on
Those
present were: Chairman Bill Moyer, Vice-Chairman
Also
present were: Finance Director Carey McLelland, Tax Assessor
CALL
TO ORDER/WELCOME
Chairman
Moyer called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. He noted that
this is a regularly scheduled meeting but the majority of the meeting would be
dedicated as the first budget workshop.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner
INVOCATION
Commissioner
Mark Williams gave the invocation.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT OF AGENDA
Chairman
Moyer made a correction to the agenda noting at 9:15 am what is shown as
departmental presentations would actually include
Commissioner McGrady made the
motion to approve the agenda with the change noted. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner McGrady made the
motion to adopt the consent agenda as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Consent
Agenda consisted of the following:
Tax Collector’s Report
Deputy
Tax Collector Carol McCraw had presented the Tax Collector’s Report to the
Commissioners dated May 8, 2009 for information only. No action was required.
Tax Releases
A
list of 15 tax release requests was presented for the Board of Commissioners
review and approval.
Suggested
Motion:
I
move the Board approves the Tax Release Report as presented.
Tax Refund
A
list of 37 refund requests was presented for the Board of Commissioners review
and approval.
Suggested
Motion:
I
move the Board approves the Tax Refund Report as presented.
Set Public Hearing on CDBG
Closeout
The
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Development project assisted
Henderson County Habitat for Humanity to increase the amount of affordable
housing available to county residents.
The CDBG funds provided Shuey Knolls Phase III for 1,140 linear feet of
water lines, road and drainage system’s allowing for the construction of up to
21 homes. The construction project is
now complete and a public hearing formally closing out the grant is a required
step.
Planning
Staff recommends the Board of Commissioners schedule a public hearing on
Monday, June 1, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., or schedule a special called meeting on or
after that date.
Suggested
Motion:
I move the Board schedule a public hearing for the
Shuey Knolls CDBG grant close-out for Monday, June 1, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.
Rezoning request to
Henderson
County Emergency Services is currently coordinating a communications upgrade
for the state-wide Voce Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders
(VIPER). This upgrade will provide new
towers and buildings at three communications sites in
The
Board is requested to authorize the Chairman to sign the letter provided
formally requesting the Town of Laurel Park rezone parcel #9900636, Lot #1 of
Echo Mountain Ridge subdivision to allow for governmental communications,
infrastructure and equipment.
Suggested
Motion:
I move the Board authorize the Chairman to sign a
letter to the Town of
Request for Road Closing
North
Carolina General Statute 153A-241 requires that the Board of Commissioners
first adopt a resolution declaring its intent to close a public road or easement. The proposed resolution was provided
declaring its intent to close two continuous portions of an unopened
easement/alley bordering two properties of James & James, Environmental,
Inc., having an address of
Suggested
Motion:
I move that the Board approves the proposed
resolution, and set a public hearing on the road closure for July 6, 2009, at
7:00 p.m.
REVENUES
Chairman
Moyer emphasized that this will be a difficult year. From a property standpoint we are basically
looking at flat revenues moving forward with almost no growth for the
foreseeable year. Obviously the
collection rate is a problem but the biggest problem is the local option sales
tax.
County
Manager
Finance
Director Carey McLelland addressed the issues with sales tax. There was an agreement between the State and
the Counties for a Medicaid swap for sales tax and this is the final fiscal
year for the taking of our sales tax.
Article 44 sales tax in this year’s budget is a little over $2
million. There is a decrease of
$2,938,520 and $2,044,000, of this is the loss of Article 44 for next
year. The $893,000 is the additional 5%
that we are taking off of what we think will be a sales tax for next year. After eight (8) month of this fiscal year we are
$279,000 below what we need to make budget with four (4) months to go. His best estimate is that we will probably be
in the negative by the end of this fiscal year and has suggested to the County
Manager that we reduce the sales tax projection for next year another 5% or
$893,000.
Tax
Assessor/Interim Collector
Chairman
Moyer was surprised to see that the finance director was anticipating $50,000
in investment earnings in the coming year with the County using Fund Balance,
drawing the Fund Balance down and the returns that are available on the
monies.
Mr.
McLelland stated that with what the County is appropriating for Fund Balance he
stills feels that we have a fairly healthy Fund Balance and more cash in the
bank than we have had the previous years.
Even though rates are down (bottomed out) more cash will be available to
invest out for a longer term (6-12 months) and this is his best estimate.
Chairman
Moyer felt that it was obvious and the public should realize that the revenues,
from the County standpoint, are a moving target. The Board is doing the very best they can
with the information available. The
situation with the State is very severe and has not been fully address
yet. We must and will have the County
budget done by the end of June. It is
possible that the State will take steps that will impact us, and they may even
take them after June which will cause a real problem. If they take steps prior to the end of June
the Board will go back and look at the budget and see what we have to do to
adjust for what the State may or may not do with respect to their budget. Sales tax is one of the areas there is
concern with. A number of years ago the
state took some of our monies and the lottery monies and ADM monies are still
up in the air. Our budget is a fair
representation of what we think revenues will be at this time.
REVENUE PROJECTIONS
|
General Fund |
FY 2009 Budget |
FY 2010 Proposed |
$ Change From FY09 to FY10 |
% Change From FY09 to FY10 |
|
Ad Valorem
Taxes – Current Year |
$57,720,432 |
$57,832,467 |
$112,035 |
0.19% |
|
Ad
Valorem Taxes – Prior Year |
$1,305,000 |
$1,520,000 |
$215,000 |
16.48% |
|
Local
Option Sales Taxes |
$19,917,491 |
$16,978,971 |
$2,938,520 |
-14.75% |
|
Other
Taxes and Licenses |
$1,840,550 |
$976,548 |
-$864,002 |
-46.94% |
|
Unrestricted
Intergovernmental |
$57,000 |
$57,000 |
$0 |
0.00% |
|
Restricted
Intergovernmental |
$22,063,284 |
$19,458,535 |
-$2,604,749 |
-11.81% |
|
Permits
and Fees |
$2,018,500 |
$1,165,800 |
-$852,700 |
-42.24% |
|
Sales
and Services |
$7,978,956 |
$5,631,024 |
-$2,347,932 |
-29.43% |
|
Investment
Earnings |
$750,000 |
$800,000 |
$50,000 |
6.67% |
|
Intergovernmental
Reimburse Financing
Proceeds |
$3,220,942 |
$2,521,518 |
-$699,424 |
-21.71% |
|
Transfer
In |
$399,422 |
$271,064 |
-$128,358 |
-32.14% |
|
Fund Balance
Appropriated |
$1,117,540 |
$2,267,171 |
$1,149,631 |
102.87% |
|
Total General Fund Revenues |
$118,389,117 |
$109,480,098 |
-$8,909,019 |
-7.53% |
*Restricted
Intergovernmental Revenues include $750,000 ADM Funds
Revenues: Where does the money come from? Significant
Issues from FY2009 to FY2010
Ad
Valorem Taxes – Current Year 52.8%
A
less than 1% increase in current year tax collections based on an estimated
$12,905,000,000 in taxable property value from the
Ad
Valorem Taxes – Prior Years 1.4%
Based
on current year collections to date, the Delinquent Tax Collector anticipates
increased revenues from prior year tax collections, delinquent interest and
penalties, and advertising costs for FY2010.
Local
Option Sales Taxes – 15.5%
Articles
39, 40 and 42 assume a 5% decrease for FY2010.
Due to the Medicaid Swap agreement with the State of
Other
Taxes and Licenses – 0.9%
Deed
Stamp Excise Tax collections budgeted at 48% or $860,000 below current year’s
budget for FY2010 due to the current real estate market.
Unrestricted
Intergovernmental – 0.1%
No
change in FY2010.
Restricted
Intergovernmental – 17.8%
$1.55
million in one-time grant funds awarded and budgeted in the current fiscal
year, not carrying over to FY2010, $560,000 less in Medicaid Maximization
dollars available to budget in FY2010 for Health Department Programs, DSS
Foster Care reimbursements down $275,000 for FY2010 over the current fiscal
year and other decreases across the board in various accounts.
Permits
and Fees – 1.1%
Building
Inspection Fees budgeted at 49% for $620,000 below current year’s budget for
Fy2010 due to current residential and commercial construction activity. Recording Fees collected in the Register of
Deeds Office budgeted at 35% or $250,000 below current year’s budget for FY2010
based on current fiscal year activity.
Sales
and Services – 5.1%
Environmental
Health/Sanitation Fees down $175,000 for FY2010. Soil & Erosion Control Enforcement Fees
down $110,000 for FY2010. Remaining
decreases in this category are across the board in various accounts. Indirect Cost of $2.1 million has been
removed from the FY2010 DSS budget due to the new direct cost allocation
method.
Investment
Earnings – 0.7%
Increase
of $50,000 over current year budget of $750,000
Intergovernmental
Reimburse / Financing Proceeds – 2.3%
$553,000
of financing proceeds for E911 Expansion Project in current fiscal year – not in
FY2010. Sales tax intergovernmental
reimbursement agreement with the fire departments down $388,000 for FY2010 due
to the loss of Article 44 (.5) cent sales tax from the Medicaid Swap. Other decreases across the board in various
accounts.
Transfers
in – 0.2%
Travel
& Tourism debt service budgeted in the T&T Fund for FY2010 instead of
being transferred to the General Fund to pay out.
Fund
Balance Appropriated – 2.1%
$2,267,171
Fund Balance appropriated. Total
projected fund balance over 12% BOC Policy prior to any SY2010 appropriation -
$8,171,216.
|
FY 2009 - 2010 PROPOSED BUDGET - EXPENDITURES |
|
|
|
|
|
GENERAL FUND |
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES FROM FY 2009 TO FY 2010 |
|
GENERAL GOVERNMENT |
|
|
Governing Body |
Personnel Reduction
of one FTE |
|
Dues and Non-Profit Contributions |
Increase in MPO and
WCCA Grant |
|
|
Adds retiree
insurance for 1 retiree |
|
Administrative Services |
Reduction in
allocated Debt Service and Worker's Comp, full year funding
for all positions |
|
Human Resources |
Reallocates Risk
Manager position from Risk Management Fund, includes full year funding for all positions |
|
Elections |
Debt Service on
voting equipment paid in full in FY09 |
|
Legal |
Allocated Debt
Service and Personnel Expenditures reduced in FY2010 |
|
Register of Deeds |
Significant
reduction in 48% of excise tax paid to State, proposes personnel
reduction of one FTE and one part-time temp |
|
Central Services |
Planned Projects
allocated by department |
|
Garage |
Includes full year
funding for all positions |
|
Court Facilities |
No issues - Funding
remains essentially level |
|
Information Technology |
Reallocates one
position from IT to Wellness Clinic |
|
Wellness Clinic |
Position
reallocated from IT to Wellness Clinic, FY09 expenditures allocated |
|
Debt Service |
All debt service
allocated to Departments |
|
Non-Departmental Accounts |
Funding for
Unemployment, Worker's Comp and 2010 Census |
|
Transfers From the General Fund |
Includes $772,677
transfer to Capital Reserve Fund |
|
|
|
|
TAXATION AND FINANCE |
|
|
Finance |
Reduced personnel
expenditures, includes full year funding for Munis software
license |
|
Assessor |
No issues - Funding
remains essentially level |
|
Tax Collector |
Proposed budget
recommends a elimination of the Tax Collector position |
|
|
|
|
PUBLIC SAFETY |
|
|
Sheriff |
Includes $330,000
transfer to the Capital Projects Fund for planning costs associated with a |
|
Detention Facility |
Reduction in
personnel costs and debt service levels |
|
Emergency Management |
Excludes two,
one-time grants for |
|
Fire Services |
Includes Worker's
Comp Funding for Volunteer Fire Department staff |
|
Building Services |
Personnel Reduction
of one FTE, decreased operational expenses |
|
Emergency Medical Services |
Excludes one-time
FY09 capital funding for stretchers & cardiac monitors |
|
Animal Services |
Decrease in
Worker's Comp, decreased operational expenses |
|
Criminal Justice Partnership Program |
No issues - Funding
remains essentially level |
|
Rescue Squad |
No issues - Funding
remains essentially level |
|
Code Enforcement Services |
Reduction in
personnel costs due to annualized FY09 RIF savings |
|
|
|
|
PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
|
|
Property Addressing |
No issues - Funding
remains essentially level |
|
Soil & Water Conservation |
Excludes two
one-time FY09 grants |
|
Utilities |
No issues - Funding
remains essentially level |
|
Planning |
Excludes one-time
NC Clean Water Trust Fund Grant |
|
HOME Program |
100% federal grant
funded |
|
Economic Development |
Excludes two
one-time projects: One NC for Elkamet, and NC Trust Fund |
|
|
|
|
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION |
|
|
Forestry Services |
No issues - funding
remains level |
|
Soil & Sedimentation Division |
Personnel Reduction
of one FTE |
|
Cooperative Extension |
Includes full year
funding for personnel expenditures |
|
|
|
|
HUMAN SERVICES |
|
|
General Public Health |
Reconfiguration of
Health Department resulting in personnel savings |
|
Public Health Programs |
Elimination of 3
grant programs totaling $535,976, including 1 time Childhood Obesity
Prevention Grant |
|
Environmental Health |
Personnel Reduction
of one FTE |
|
Home and Community Care Block Grant |
No issues, 100%
grant funded - expenditure and revenue increases equal |
|
Youth Programs |
One position
allocated from Youth Programs to DSS Administration |
|
Mental Health |
No issues - funding
remains level |
|
Rural Operating Assistance Program |
No issues - funding
remains level |
|
Social Services |
Requested all
positions be unfrozen |
|
Administration |
Increase in debt
service, relocates one position from Youth Programs. Indirect Cost removed -
direct cost allocation method |
|
SmartStart Program |
No issues - Funding
remains essentially level |
|
WorkFirst Demo Grant |
No issues - funding
remains level |
|
Federal and State Programs |
Medicaid funding
eliminated for FY10 |
|
General Assistance |
No issues - funding
remains level |
|
Juvenile Justice Program |
No issues, funding
remains level - 100% grant funded |
|
Veterans Services |
Increase in debt
service |
|
|
|
|
CULTURAL AND RECREATION |
|
|
Library |
Reduction in
personnel costs due to annualized FY09 RIF savings, and proposed reduction of
1 Part Time position |
|
Recreation |
Increased personnel
due to allocation of maintenance personnel from Central Services |
|
|
|
|
HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES FROM FY 2009 TO FY 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Henderson County Public Schools |
|
|
Current Expense |
No issues - funding
remains level |
|
Capital Expense |
Major investment in
school renovations and repairs |
|
|
|
|
Debt Service |
Debt service payments
include 1/4 year funding for: Apple Valley/North Henderson High and
$3,000,000 repairs/renovations |
|
|
|
|
|
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES FROM FY 2009 TO FY 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Expense |
No issues - funding
remains level |
|
Capital Expense |
Major investment in
school renovations and repairs |
|
|
|
|
Debt Service |
Debt service
payments include 1/4 year funding for $2,000,000 repairs/renovations |
|
|
|
|
SPECIAL REVENUE AND |
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES FROM FY 2009 TO FY 2010 |
|
Reappraisal Reserve
Fund |
Includes full year
funding for all positions |
|
Travel and Tourism |
Decrease in
personnel |
|
CDBG - Scattered
Site Housing |
No issues - funding
remains level |
|
E911 Fund |
Includes additional
funding for Capital Outlay - Technology |
|
Mud Creek Watershed
Protection |
Grant funding is in
question, with a decision anticipated in December. Proposed budget preserves
personnel funding to Dec 31 |
|
Public Transit Fund |
Increase in Capital
Outlay - Equipment. No issues - County funding remains level |
|
ICE Program |
Reduction in
operating expenditures corresponding to a projected decrease in inmates and
revenue |
|
Solid Waste |
Increase in budget
for Capital Outlay - Land and Improvements, and Capital Outlay - Equipment |
|
Cane Creek Water
and Sewer District |
Increase in budget
for sewer line construction |
|
Justice Academy
Sewer Fund |
No issues - funding
remains essentially level |
|
Cost Area |
FY09
Revised |
FY09
Cost Allocated |
FY10
Proposed |
%
Difference FY09
to FY10 |
|
Operating
Expenditures |
$2,314,409 |
$2,314,409 |
$2,314,409 |
0.00% |
|
Capital
Expenditures |
$90,724 |
$90,724 |
$2,090,724 |
2204.49% |
|
Debt
Service |
$1,668,510 |
$1,668,510 |
$1,543,478 |
-7.49% |
|
Total
Expenditures |
$4,073,643 |
$4,073,643 |
$5,948,611 |
46.03% |
Significant
Issues
1)
Funds
2nd year of Energy Initiative Loan payment of $90,724
2)
Maintains
Operating Expenditures at FY09 levels
3)
Major
investment in community college renovations and repairs
4)
Debt
Service includes $44,500 debt service for $2,000,000 renovation and repair
project.
A
number of projects were included in the expansion request, some of which will
be addressed with the $2,000,000 funded for renovations and repairs. Requested $686,050
Dr.
Molly Parkhill, of
Finance
Director Carey McLelland explained that the projects discussed at the last
Board meeting for BRCC in the amount of $2 million are included in debt
service.
Departmental Presentations
Department
of Public Health – significant issues
1.
$51,151 allocated IT funding includes: P&I Costs, Enterprise Costs, Computer
Repair Costs
2.
$599,295
allocated debt service funding includes:
45% of
3.
$62,194
allocated Operating Expenditures include: Wellness Clinic, HR Professional
Services & Advertising, Insurance/Bonding
4.
$130,971
allocated Central Services includes:
Furl, utilities, Contracted Service, Building Maintenance
5.
$45,950
allocated personnel funding includes:
Worker’s Comp, retiree medical and dental insurance for five retirees
6.
Personnel
reallocated per departmental request to better meet departmental needs
Health
Department Director Tom Bridges spoke in regards to school nurses. The County supplemented the school nurse
program with $115,904 in the current year budget. The Medicaid Fund Balance has been taken out
in order to balance the budget. In the
last three years the County has spent approximately $400,000 of Medicaid Fund
Balance to cover the school nurse portion.
There are nine nurses in place.
Chairman
Moyer asked if it still the plan to transition the school nurse appropriation
to the schools budget next year.
Mr.
Bridges responded that it was proposed to leave it with the Health Department
as it is a partnership. The Health
Department works closely with the schools in many areas and also works with
others in the community;
Chairman
Moyer, Commissioner McGrady and Commissioner Young all felt that this
appropriation should be reflected in the school budget.
County
Manager
Chairman
Moyer requested that this item be added to the list of concerns to come back
to.
In
regards to possible cancellation of programs, Mr. Bridges stated that they have
managed. He provided information about
flu vaccinations and mosquito control.
Library Director
Bill Snyder, Solid Waste Manager Will Sager, Lieutenant Vanessa Gilbert and Internal
Auditor Darlene Burgess arrived at 8:45 a.m.
BREAK
A
ten minute break was taken.
PUBLIC HEARING – on an adoption
of the Triennial Update of the
Commissioner McGrady made the
motion that the Board go into public hearing.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Solid
Waste Manager Will Sager stated that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee has
reviewed the draft update and recommended its adoption. The current update incorporates the Twenty
Vision for Solid Waste adopted by the Board last May. Waste reduction goals have been increased
from the 5% identified in the previous version to a waste reduction goal of 20%
by FY2014 and 40% by FY2019. It is noted
in the plan document that work is continuing on the Solid Waste Master Plan
with SWAC, a consultant, and staff. The
implementation of the Master Plan and related policies will allow the county to
approach the five year goal. Further
reduction efforts will be explored in the second five year period. The deadline date for adoption for the Board
of Commissioners and the three participating municipalities is June 30,
2009.
One
plan, the update, is regulatory driven and must be adopted by
The
Master Plan process was initiated by the County and the plan will be presented
to the Board soon after the beginning of the fiscal year. Thus, specific elements of the plan are not
reflected in the update. If these
elements are approved by the Board, they will be included in the next triennial
cycle of the regulatory plan.
Public Input
Commissioner McGrady made the
motion that the Board go out of public hearing.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Commissioner McGrady made the
motion that the Board adopts the Triennial Update to the
Public Schools Presentation
Henderson
County Public Schools – significant issues
1.
Maintains
Operating Expenditures at FY09 levels
2.
Major
investment in school renovations and repairs
3.
Debt
Service includes $244,700 Debt Service for $3000,000
Chairman
of the School Board Ervin Bazzle stated that this has been an odd year, not
just because of the economic conditions that all of us face both locally, state
and federal, it intermingled with our normal budget has been some talk of
federal stimulus money which prompted meetings between the two boards to
discuss projects that maybe funded and the Board of Commissioners taking an
active role at looking at the backlog of both building projects as well as
maintenance of the schools. When the
School Board presented their budget to the Board of Commissioners (BOC), they
were extremely aware of the dire situation that both the state and national
governments face as well as what their projections were locally. The School Board heeded the response from the
BOC that they keep their budget request at zero balance or zero increase with
the exception of two things. Mr. Bazzle
discussed the capital outlay budget and how it impacts the $3 million that was appropriated
by the BOC in order to try to develop a scenario of where the School Board is
now. When the School Board presented
their budget to the BOC they went back to the baseline of the current expense
at $20,205,922. This is also the number
proposed by the
Chairman
Moyer asked Chairman Bazzle to provide the Board of Commissioners with
replacement pages with the changes discussed.
Chairman
Bazzle stated that the School Board’s budget for capital outlay is made up of
two parts; capital projects that are not huge projects, and maintenance
projects, repairs and purchases. These
projects are hard to follow. When the
bond referendum failed in the 90’s the two Boards met and an agreement was met
that instead of using their ADM money for projects such as on the ten year
list, it would be used for debt service with the understanding that the BOC
would replace dollar for dollar those ADM funds. At that time the School Boards maintenance
and capital project outlay budget was about $1 million and was not enough. The BOC increased it and it has been roughly
about $2 million since that time. There
are different projects addressed in the backlog; not just the roof on West
Henderson; it may be that we have ten year old carpet that is a health risk at
some schools, purchase and replacement of vehicles, or maintenance staff for
school buses. The Board of Education met
two days prior because certain issues were brought up regarding additional
funds that may be needed at Apple Valley/North Henderson and also to clarify
the list of what they felt needed to be done.
A list of the items was provided both for facility projects and repairs
with 10 year life and shorter term to the Board of Commissioners prioritized by
the Board of Education. He has received
indication that these funds will not become available unless the state releases
their ADM money and are locked or frozen.
He referred back to the agreement with the BOC in regards to ADM
funds. Mr. Bazzle stated that the issue
is that there is about $345,000 worth of projects that need to be done. He asked, and recommended by the School
Board, that the BOC appropriate an additional $345,000 to cover these
items. Mr. Bazzle stated that the
proposal that the School Board had made was their regular budget of $2.25
million plus $1,061,000 be phased in over four years. In February, during the Joint Facilities
meeting, the School Board proposed certain projects with their architects. Apple Valley North was one at $11 million; $8
million for the school and $3 million projected for redoing the piping at
Chairman
Moyer understood in respect to the waterlines the benefit of bidding at the
same time as construction to get good bids, but as far as managing
construction; the addition at North and Apple Valley Middle, he questioned if
it would be more efficient and effective to do it as part of the same
construction project.
Mr.
Bazzle responded that he felt it would, especially with the integration of the
two systems.
Chairman
Moyer stated that this issue would be added to the running list of issues that
the Board would revisit.
Commissioner
McGrady questioned if there were significant changes either to the projects or
cost of projects from the lists received in the past and the current list
provided at this meeting from the Board of Education.
Chairman
Bazzle stated that the only difference was that they had been broken out.
Commissioner
Williams was confused as the numbers have moved around so much. He made further inquiries of the lists.
Bo
Caldwell explained that when the Board of Commissioners received their capital
budget notebook there were projects that had been documented from Joint
Facilities Committee meetings years past and were included on the list in front
of them. When Mr. Caldwell and Dr. Page
were directed to come up with a $6.5 million budget, they were told at that
time to take all the FF&E (not 10 year life) off of the list. That is why the $6.5 list is different from
what is in the notebook. This is also
the same time that they received word that the budget would be $8 million and
$1.5 million had to be addressed during construction time. When the two ($1.5 & $6.5) were combined
it knocked off a lot of projects that were in the budget to begin with.
Commissioner
McGrady echoed that the lists are consistent, putting aside the track issue,
and only difference relates to the pulling out of projects that are not of a
capital nature. If these projects were
added back the result would be Exhibit A & B.
Commissioner
Williams questioned if the $1.5 million was a one-time expense.
Mr.
Caldwell explained that an engineer had looked at the project, designed a
schematic of the project and gave them a price estimate of $1.5 million to
replace the pipes at both
Commissioner
Williams asked if the other $1.5 million would at some point come into play.
Mr.
Caldwell explained that the units are at this time running fine and there is no
indication that they are going to begin failing soon.
Chairman
Moyer stated that the $1.5 million to fix the piping problem is not a band-aid
or partial fix. This if bid right will
do the job correctly and will be done for the foreseeable future.
County
Manager
Chairman
Bazzle responded this is correct.
Mr.
Wyatt questioned if the $1.5 million for the piping issue was included in the
$11 million.
Chairman
Bazzle responded it was in the $3 million line along with the heating
units.
Mr.
Wyatt stated that Jimmy Wilhide (Moseley Architects) had told him that the $1.5
million for the piping was not included in the $11 million.
Mr.
Bazzle and Chairman Moyer both felt that the $1.5 million was included in the
$3 million for the piping.
Mr.
Wyatt would revisit this again with Moseley Architects.
Commissioner
Williams addressed the track issue and felt it should become more of a priority
since there had been reports of injuries, loss of use for track meets and
Physical Education.
The
School Board did not feel that this was a priority but would take another look
at the safety issue.
Chairman
Bazzle noted that the money for the North and West tracks were privately
raised.
Chairman
Moyer stated for clarification, the $449,889 that County Manager
BREAK
A
ten minute break was taken to change video tapes.
Departmental Presentations
continued
Sheriff’s
Department – significant issues
|
1.
$41,640 allocated to the Sheriff’s Department for
Rental of Property: |
|
|
2.
12 Dodge Chargers and 1 Ford F250 included in FY10
proposed budget |
|
|
3.
Staffing levels reductions include: 1 position
Riffed 11/08, elimination of 1 frozen DSS security position and one
additional position to be reallocated to 2 uniformed officer (gang
prevention) positions. |
|
|
4.
$246,563 allocated debt service funding includes:
$124,433 E911 Center funding and $122,130 vehicle debt service. |
|
|
5.
$172,292 allocated personnel funding includes:
Worker’s Comp, retiree medical and dental insurance for nine retirees. |
|
|
6.
$565,759 allocated Central Services includes:
Fuel, Utilities, Contracted Service, Building Maintenance. |
|
|
7.
$200,426 allocated Operating Expenditures include:
Wellness Clinic, HR Professional Services & Advertising,
Insurance/Bonding. |
|
|
8.
$493,583 allocated IT funding includes: Enterprise
Costs, Computer Repair Costs, replacement servers, computer replacements, SQL
and MS server licenses, Visionair licenses, server installation services,
Mobile Law, AVL and FBR licenses, Geocomm Mobile Lynx, and printers for CID,
SPC DCI software and service fees, AccessData renewal, Sirchie, Comphotofit
and forensic software licenses. |
|
|
9.
5 New Officers have been requested under a COPS
grant. Total expenses if this grant is approved equal $490,428. Staff
proposes not including this request in the budget at this time, but bringing
it back to the Board if the grant is approved. |
|
|
10.
Proposed budget includes $330,000 transfer to the
Capital Project Fund for fees associated with a Sheriff Rick
Davis noted that during the Illegal Immigrations Steering Committee meeting
yesterday one item being lobbied for is a permanent fugitive unit here in This year to make ends meet we have riffed anther
position, the staff attorney. The
Governor’s office was not going to fund our gang unit again this year. The unit is very active and needed so we
“robbed Peter to pay Paul” this year and the gang unit is on board for
good. Some of the legal services will
be subcontracted out and the bulk will be handled by Associate County
Attorney Sarah Zambon. The 911 Center is now complete. The Federal Government is requiring us to switch
to the digital venue for our radios and this will be carried on our budget
for the next two years. We have gone
from eight mobile data terminals two years ago to units have MDT. This project should finish out this budget
cycle. Bullets and bullets proof vest costs have
increased due to the war. Although the School Board has not got back to the
Sheriff’s Office, they have indicated they wish to cut back substantially on
revenues for SRO’s. The Sheriff’s
Department is funding three of their deputies out of pocket. The amount funded by the schools in
previous years has remained consistent at $220,000 since the inception of
SRO’s back in 1995. County Manager Chairman Moyer felt this was important and should
be verified. Sheriff Davis stated that the School Board
indicated they would not know until their budget was approved. The last issue discussed was the E911 cable. Auxiliary Business Manager Bill Blalock
noted when the E911 Center was built two fiber optic were ran; one up First
Avenue and one up Second Avenue to provide redundancy and protection. The communication goes from the 911 Center
to the transfer and receiver room on the third floor of the Historic
Courthouse. One of the routes was
destroyed by a contractor up approximately two years ago leaving one
route. This fiber needs to be repaired
or replaced to protect transmit or receive capability. The good cable is a fiber optic cable and
is capable to carry the capacity. Sheriff Davis provided information in regards to
vehicles over 65,000 miles as of May 1, 2009.
SH# Vehicle Description Current Odometer Est. if replaced FY10 1) 106 99 Ford CV 69,880 76,868 (SH#...anything with a 1 series # is unmarked vehicles that are assigned to criminal investigations division) 2) 221 06 Chev. Impala 96,254 128,338 3) 261 06 Chev. Impala 78,027 104,036 4) 219 06 Chev. Impala 77,279 103,038 5) 207 05 Chev. Impala 76,930 96,162 6) 201 02 Chev. Impala 75,935 86,782 7) 257 06 Chev. Impala 75,523 100,697 8) 225 06 Chev. Impala 74,069 98,758 9) 216 06 Chev. Impala 71,422 95,229 10) 218 06 Chev. Impala 70,533 94,044 11) 226 06 Chev. Impala 70,041 93,388 12) 255 06 Chev. Impala 66,338 88,450 13) 138 06 Chev. Trailblazer 66,235 88,313 (SH#...anything with a 2 series # is patrol…item 13 was pirated from criminal investigations and marked up to use on patrol due to shortage in vehicles) 14) 348 04 Dodge Ram 2500, (AE) 77,251 92,701 15) 305 04 Dodge Ram, (AE)* 74,222 89,066 16) 304 04 Dodge Ram, (AE)* 66,491 79,789 17)
388
05 Dodge 18)
338
05 Dodge (SH#...anything with a 3 series is trucks and SUV’s) 19) 519 02 Chevrolet Impala 80,257 91,722 20) 518 06 Dodge Caravan 65,891 87,854 (SH3…anything with a 5 series is detention) #1 - The 99 Ford Crown #14, 15 & 16 - #14 is the only vehicle capable of pulling the horse trailer used for animal enforcement to remove livestock from roadways (The highest maintenance in fleet and needs to be replaced) #15 &16 have already been replaced with the last vehicles that came in. #19 & #20 – These vehicles are assigned to the detention center and they are used from transport. High mileage is not a big issue. #2 through #13 – and the one truck should be replaced. These are still on patrol. *Shall be replaced within 60 days - Grants, drug seizure money, 65,000 mile plan and approval of requested vehicles has improved outlook for projected 3rd year gap after cutback of nine vehicles I FY09 - Sharp increase in maintenance & repair costs - Vehicles with higher mileage are being transferred to detention, transport, schools, etc. - SUBs are assigned to primarily static duties - Benefits of strict equipment standardization will start FY11 - SUVs * trucks cut from 47 down to 28 – Goal is 10 marked - Helicopter transferred to Mr. Blalock explained the
fingerprint system included in the budget. There are two fingerprinting
systems. In 1995 a system known as
AFIS was implemented throughout the Chairman Moyer asked where the ICE money shows up in the budget. Sheriff Davis responded that it is shown as capital in the Enterprise Fund. Chairman Moyer stated the proposed revenues and expenditures are showing as a wash. Since this is an enterprise fund, if it comes in higher or lower he questioned what would happen. Finance Director Carey McLelland explained if it came in higher and the funds are not utilized it stays in fund balance within that fund. It is his understanding that the Sheriff has plans for excess revenue associated with that fund. Chairman Moyer felt this was an issue and questioned who would be authorized to transfer out of the enterprise fund. County Manager Ms. Coffey reminded the Board that initially an allocation was made of $25,000 and has not been spent and is being used as a contingency. |
|
Department of Social
Services – significant
issues
1.
$652,564
allocated debt service funding includes:
49% of
2.
Reallocates
one position from Youth Programs, proposes reduction of 2 positions, Volunteer
Services and Computer Tech which are currently vacant
3.
$282,648
allocated personnel funding includes: Wellness
Clinic, HR Professional Services & Advertising, Insurance/Bonding
4.
$149,367
allocated personnel funding includes: Worker’s
Comp., retiree medical and dental insurance for eleven retirees.
5.
$155,541
allocated Central Services includes:
Utilities, Contracted Service, Building Maintenance
6.
Indirect
Cost of $2.1 million has been removed from the FY2010 DSS budget due to the new
direct cost allocation method. Reduction
affects both DSS-Administration Expenditures and DSS-Federal and State Program
Revenues.
Social
Services Director Liston Smith stated his department is dealing with three new
mandates along with the increased level of service. He requested that the Board unfreeze the
staff positions that he currently has and provide the funding as they did with
last year’s budget. In the
Chairman
Moyer stated that there are two positions that were not included in the
budget. He questioned Mr. Smith asking
if he felt these two positions were important to add back into the budget. (Mr. Smith responded yes). These two positions would be added to the
list of considerations. There are five positions included in the budget
currently frozen that Chairman Moyer understood would be approved positions
with budget adoption.
Commissioner
McGrady stated that various positions are currently frozen but that are now
being put in the budget to be funded. A
decision would need to be made as to how they will be treated. He felt that if we adopt a budget where we
are funding positions, we are unfreezing these positions. We can freeze positions that open up after
that if necessary.
Chairman
Moyer asked if the request was to unfreeze the positions immediately.
David
Adams responded yes as they are falling behind in case loads. They are 30% over the levels suggested by the
state.
Chairman
Moyer asked
Ms.
Coffey responded that they were removed from the current year budget.
Chairman
Moyer stated that if the positions were unfroze at this time they would have to
be funded from somewhere.
Ms.
Coffey responded that the hiring process would probably take until after July
1, 2009 at this point and we would still see some savings this year.
Chairman
Moyer noted that of the seven (7) positions that have been requested to be
unfrozen, only five (5) have been included in the budget going forward. He felt it made since to go ahead and
unfreeze five (5) positions and move forward with the budget. If the budget is adopted as submitted there
will be no change moving forward. He
agreed with Commissioner McGrady that any position included in the budget but
frozen should automatically become unfrozen effective July 1, 2009.
Commissioner McGrady made the
motion that the Board removes the freeze from the five (5) positions for this
budget year as requested by the Department of Social Services and follow to see
if any budget amendments are necessary.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
The
Board suspects that the next year budget will approve the five (5) positions
and the additional two (2) positions will be discussed during budget wrap-up
and whether they will be added back and what will be done for the remainder of
the current year.
Chairman
Moyer directed the
BREAK
A five minute break was taken in order to change
video tapes.
Departmental
Presentations continued
Chairman Moyer
felt that once the budget was approved any frozen positions in which funding
was included in the budget would be considered unfroze.
Commissioner
Williams requested a list of all frozen positions in which funding was included
in the budget.
Dues and Non-Profits
|
Expenditures by Category |
FY 09 Budget |
FY 10 Request |
FY 10 Proposed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dues and Memberships |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$41,645 |
$41,645 |
$41,645 |
|
|
|
NC Assoc of |
$12,695 |
$11,425 |
$11,425 |
|
|
|
National |
$7,050 |
$7,050 |
$7,050 |
|
|
|
|
$9,850 |
$10,872 |
$10,872 |
|
|
|
Local Government Transit Match |
$12,500 |
$12,500 |
$12,500 |
|
|
|
|
$0 |
$22,219 |
$22,219 |
|
|
|
SUB-TOTAL |
$83,740 |
$105,711 |
$105,711 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Profits |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$9,000 |
$10,000 |
$9,000 |
|
|
|
Arts Council of |
$10,000 |
$12,000 |
$10,000 |
|
|
|
Children and |
$10,000 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
|
|
ECO/VWIN |
$9,000 |
$9,000 |
$9,000 |
|
|
|
Hands On!-A Child's Gallery (New) |
$0 |
$10,000 |
$0 |
|
|
|
Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (New) |
$0 |
$24,970 |
$0 |
|
|
|
WCCA Grant Match |
$38,999 |
$44,293 |
$44,293 |
|
|
|
WCCA: Medical Transportation |
$12,000 |
$12,000 |
$12,000 |
|
|
|
SUB-TOTAL |
$88,999 |
$122,263 |
$84,293 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
$14,300 |
$14,300 |
$14,300 |
|
|
|
Boys and Girls Club |
$11,350 |
$11,350 |
$11,350 |
|
|
|
Children and |
$18,750 |
$18,750 |
$18,750 |
|
|
|
Council on Aging |
$39,000 |
$39,000 |
$39,000 |
|
|
|
|
$11,350 |
$11,350 |
$11,350 |
|
|
|
Housing Assistance Corporation |
$12,700 |
$12,700 |
$12,700 |
|
|
|
Interfaith Assistance Ministry - Medifind |
$23,400 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
|
|
Mainstay |
$10,700 |
$10,700 |
$10,700 |
|
|
|
Medical Loan Closet (New) |
$0 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
|
|
Partnership for Health |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
|
|
Pisgah Legal Services |
$18,750 |
$17,750 |
$17,750 |
|
|
|
The Healing Place |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
|
|
|
The Free Clinics - Volunteer Program |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
|
|
|
The Free Clinics - Medifind |
$0 |
$23,400 |
$23,400 |
|
|
|
United Way 211 Program |
$13,200 |
$13,200 |
$13,200 |
|
|
|
Vocational Solutions |
$45,000 |
$45,000 |
$45,000 |
|
|
|
SUB-TOTAL |
$227,000 |
$227,000 |
$227,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$399,739 |
$454,974 |
$417,004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
NCACC approved a 10% reduction in rates charged
for FY 10 |
|
|||
|
2 |
No increase recommended for Alliance Accredited
Agencies for FY 10 |
|
|||
|
3 |
Land-of-Sky Regional Council MPO funding included
in Dues & Non-Profits, previously paid out of Non-Departmental |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPANSION BUDGET REQUESTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ Request |
TRE |
|
|
1 |
$10,000 was requested by Hands On!-A Child's
Gallery. No funding ($0) proposed. |
$10,000 |
$0.008 |
|
|
|
2 |
$24,970 requested by the Lead Poisoning
Prevention Program, a UNCA program promoting lead-safe environments for
residents in Buncombe and |
$24,970 |
$0.020 |
| |