Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 197705112~0 The Finance Director stated that the total amount of County monies for the Social Services budget amounted to $665, 145. He stated that the increase this year over last year was very little. The meeting was adjourned. /~ ~/ `~~U/ ~ Richard E. Whitted, Chairman Agatha Johnson, Clerk M2NUTE5 -" ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY 11, 1977 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, May 11, 1977, at 7:30 p.m., to continue budget hearings for fiscal year 1977-78. The meeting convened in the Commissioners' Room of the Courthouse in Hillsborough. Present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker and Donald Willhoit. Others present were S. M. Gattis, County Administrator, Neal Evans, Finance Officer, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk. Chairman Whitted stated that the fizst Department the Board would hear from was the Hyconeechee Regional Library. He recognized A. T. Davison, Chairman of the Hyconeechee Library Board. Others from the Hyconeechee Library Board present were Lloyd Osterman, and Cecil Sanford. Mr. Davison informed the Board that the Library Board was request- in an increase for 1977-78 to $117,399. The primary objective for the new fiscal year is to plan, organize, develop, supervise and administer a new library facility in the Town of Carrboro. To support the Carrboro facility, the Library Board is requesting $5,000 from the County for the purchase of books. He stated that the proposed Carrboro Library will be located in the Carr Mill where space has been offered at a cost of less than $3.00 per square foot. The Town of Carrboro is presently working an budgeting of this facility and a sizable amount of money for the library will come from Carrboro. The $5,000 request from the County is contingent upon Carrboro proceeding with plans for the new library. Mr. Davison introduced Mrs. Emma Williams who worked with the Carrboro Library for many years, Mrs. Williams asked that the County support the request for funds to develop the library in the Town of Carrboro. Mayor West, Mayor of the Town of Carrboro, also spoke in support of the library for Carrboro. Other objectives listed by the Library Board were (2) continue to pro- vide traditional book and non-print library services from the Confederate Memorial Library in Hillsborough. (3) continue Extension and Outreach Services from the Orange County Bookmobile. (4) continue to provide Out- reach services to 1) aging, 2) pre-school children, 3) mentally and phyci- cally handicapped, (5) continue the program that provides 16mm films to __ Orange County Schools from the N. C. State Library Film Service, (6) develop as much as possible with existing resources and personnel, the library's present minimum audiovisual services, (7) to develop the "books by mail progran-," a service to rural patrons, ($) assist architect with planning a new Confederate Memorial Library in the Grady Brown School, as head- quarters for the Orange County Library. Another primary objective of the Library Board is to bring the library personnel's salary to a reasonal level, and as comparable to the salary paid other library personnel else where in the State. The Library Board asked that a Library Assistant I position, which had been previously funded through CETA fund, be picked up:. Also, a new position of Library Assistant I, Grade 54, was requested. Apart-time position of Library Clerk was requested for the ordering of films for the School System. Mr. Davison stated that the ordering procedure was a long and costly process. ~~ Mr. Davison stated that the total proposed operating budget for 1977- 78 fiscal year is $117,399. Anticipated income from sources other than Orange Gounty for 1977-76 are $42,711. Brought forward from the year 1976-1977, which was received from Orange County is $1,000. The amount requested from the County in 1977-78 fiscal year is $73,588. The amount. received from Orange County in 1976-77 fiscal year is $43,641.00 The amount of increase over 1976-77 fiscal year appropriation is $29,947. Discussion ensued. Mr. Davison stated that $7,DD0 is being requested from Orange County this year for purchase of new books. He added that the Orange County Public Library would not receive $10,851 as grants from the State Library which was the waivor for using the Chapel Hi11 population. It was pointed out that the State Library instructed the local libraries what population figures to use, and Orange County is presently using the 1970 census figure of 57,707. A question was raised regarding the County's share of the cost of operating and maintaining a Vega Stationwagon, which is used in the Library's Outreach Program. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that he would like to explore further the possibility of a unified library system in the County at some future time and he .wondered if the Carrboro facility should not be a branch of the. Chapel Hi11 Municipal Library. He asked if this had been discussed with Chapel Hill, what are the pros and cons of this idea, the financial feasibility, and the long-term advisibility of a unified system. It was pointed out that Carrbor had not considered this idea. Commissioner Willheit asked what needed to be done in order to count the County's allocation toward the Chapel Hill Library and then be able to draw down more funds. Mr. Osterman stated that the Town of Chapel Hi11 needs to allow the Trustees of the Chapel Hill Municipal Library to feel that they want to become a part of the Orange County Library and the Hyconeechee Regional System. Commissioner Pinney pointed out that if the population of Chapel Hill was deduced from the regional population that the funding per capita would increase. Mr. Osterman stated that it was important to keep the total population in the formula because the benefits were higher. He stated that the philosophy of the State Library is that larger units of service are more efficient. He added that the total per capita expenditure from all sources, local, state and federal, is $2.17. Commissioner Willhoit asked what is the per capita allocation from local funds which would go toward drawing down regional dollars. He added that he would like to see an analysis of the population figures and how they affect the State funds available. He asked that this area be looked into because it appears that Orange County could be penalized. Mr. Osterman stated that he would attempt to work on this information. The Library Board was asked to provide further information regarding Item 35 of the proposed library budget, and to provide a breakdown of the budget for the Carrboro Library. Commissioner:Gustaveson stated that Representative Hunt had appeared before the Board of Commissoners and had made a strong appeal toward a County Library System. He stated that he felt moves should be made toward steps to change the formula whereby Chapel Hi11 could benefit from State funds. He added that it was important to not lose the opportunity to have a library at Carrboro, however, he would like to look at other alternatives and options. The Board of Commissioners reviewed the Chapel Hill Public Library's budget next. The Chairman of the Board introduced Susan McClude, Director of the Chapel Hill Public Library. Ms. McClure stated that functions of the Chapel Hill Library is mare than providing books to meet the educational and recreational needs of the community, that many other resources are avail- . able to the public. The library building is oiler 67 hours each week, and the bookmobile extends services to outlying areas of Chapel Hill. 1977-78 objectives are to make library services and resources more z~2 readily available to the community. Other objectives are: (l) to increase community awareness of library resources and services through 12 newspaper feature stories, 6 radio feature stories, 2 television feature stories, displaying 4 sets of bus posters, and distributing 8,800 information bro- chures. (2) Te develop plans for a 25,000 volume neighborhood library in rented space to be implemented during FY 1979. (3) To conduct a community analysis in order to determine the existing needs far library service and '. the extent to which these needs are being met by the Library and other agencies. (4) To present 24 special interest programs for a total audience of 700 adults. The new year budget is based on a contribution from Chapel Hill of $149,950 and from Orange County $54,480. Ms. McClure compared the previous year's activities to what is pro- posed for 1977-78. Book circulation is anticipated at 358,D00 for 1977- 1978. Some of the major increases in this budget are bound in the salaries and wages area. The Town of Chapel Hill is proposing a new pay plan to go into effect July 1, 1977. The new pay plan will affect all Chapel Hill Library employees to some degree. The total affect is to increase the level of salaries on the library staff. One additional librarian position is requested in this budget. Another major increase is found in the fringe benefit section of the budget. This was not found in the1976-77 budget be- cause they were included in the Town of Chapel Hill's non-departmental budget, however, effective February of 1977, staff benefits have been charged to the Library budget. Commissioner Willhoit inquired of the size of the rented space for the neighborhood library. Ms. McClure stated that the space was 6000 square feet and located at University Mall. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that he felt it was a good idea for a library to ga into Carr Mill. He asked Mrs. David Godschalk, Trustee of the Chapel Hill Public Library, what in her wisdom was the best options in terms of long range planning for the County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro in developing a unified library system. Mrs. Godschalk stated the Board of Trustees had agreed that joining - the Hyconeechee Regional System would not be a beneficial experience. The Trustees are interested in exploring the possibilities of a County system in terms of library services for all of Orange County, but not as a part of a region. She added that Chapel Hill has not been contacted about the proposed library at Carr Mill, but had been contacted about a bookmobile going in to Carrboro. Ms. McClure stated that ll percent of readers registered at the Chapel Hill Library are Carrboro residents, and 73 percent of the readers are Chapel Hill readers. Ms. McClure added that expanding bookmobile services has the highest priority among the objectives set out for next year, however, taiexpand this service would require an additional library assistant at a cost of $9,700. This would increase the proposed budget of the County to $57,075. The Orange County Council on Aging was the new budget reviewed. The Chairman recognized Dr. Charles Martin,~Director of the Orange County Council on Aging. Dr. Martin stated that objectives for this program are: A. Transportation - To make 70 passenger trips per day driging 225 miles per day. B. Tele hone Reassurance - To coordinate 5 alls per day. C. Information & Referral - To handle 450 calls for inform- ation per month. D. In-Home Services - To coardinate the delivery of. housekeeper or chars service to 55 semi-invalid elderly person per month. E. Newsletter - To sent - newsletter to over 2,000 elderly persons six times per year. Dr. Martin stated that he was faced with the problem'.2~f .what is the correct proportional share of local matching funds in order to draw down federal monies. He referred to a statement of the Chapel Hill Town Manager. The zecommended support for Switchboard, Emergency Housing, Orange County Council on Again, Orange-Chatham Legal Aid Services and OASIS is }cased on a support sharing concept for this year, of 50 percent County, 35 percent Chapel Hill, and 15 percent from Carrboro. This would bring Orange County's 50 percent to $11,500. Dr. Martin's-submitted budget ~ti~~ 3 for 1977-78 proposed $7,000 from the County. Dr. Martin stated that if the budget was recuded $6,000 he would be forced to terminate services. He stated that he had gone to private sectors in search of funding and did hope to receive some support from the United Fund. He stated that the Federal Government was insisting that local support be continued in order to receive the same amount of money as in the past. However, if the money which is cut is diverted to other programs far the elderly, there would be no decrease in the monies received from the Federal grants. Discussion ensued regarding the transportation of clients of Council on Aging. Commissioner Gustaveson spoke of a need far total county coordination of County vehicles. He asked Dr. Martin if he was limited to categorical use of his vehicles. Dr. Martin stated that there would be no way.to organize coordinated transportation in his program. He stated that his buses were used full time and were used for specific purposes. Commissioner Gustaveson asked that Dr. Martin submit .a breakdown of the gas mileage per day, number of trips to different locations per day, andthe number of gallons of gas used per day. He stated that Triangle ,7 had conducted a study of Orange County which showed that there were enough vehicles available to provide a mjaor transportation system. He suggested further that the Council on Aging Board begin thinking about this in long range planning. Dr. Martin stated that restrictions on usage of his vehicles were that occupants be 60 years or older, handicapped, and then if space is available, anyone else may ride. The Board of Commissioners suggested that Dr. Martin go back to the Town of Chapel Hill to attempt to seek additional funding. Mental Heatlh was the last budget reviewed by the Commissioners. Chairman Whined introduced William Baxter, Area Director of Orange- Person-Chatham Mental Health. Rolfs Pinkerton, Coordinator with the Mental Health Center and Frank Abbott,Finance Officer for the Mental Health Center. Mr. Baxter distributed to members of the Board a new Mental Health budget format which had been adopted by the N. C. Division of Mental Health Services. He stated that the new format was an effort to try to arrive at a cost benefit accounting approach. This is the fizst effort instituted to define programs in terms of cost and revenue, so that eventually, the administration will be able to center on the effectiveness of programs and the services which are being provided and their cost. The formulation process was to ask the various directors to recommend specific recommendations for the budget. He stated that everyone knew that this budget would be a status quo budget, therefore, budget requests were worked up and submitted to the Fianance Officer, who compiled the budget. The budget was then submitted to the three mini-boards of the three counties for a review. The Finance Committee of the Area Board reviewed the budget, and finally, the Area Board reviewed and approved the budget which is being presented tonight. This budget was transmitted to the Regional Office in Winston Salem in April. Mr. Baxter stated that the Orange County,por.tion of the budget, the -- summary cost sheets identified na.ne cost centers. Some are identifiable programs in geographical settings and others are contracts for services. These nine cost centers represent far fiscal year 1977-78, an expenditure of $831,331. Orange County is being asked to put in $165,000 in terms of general funds. He added that this was a 19.8 percent investment. There are no increases in the OPC Mental Health budget this year. One change does center around the Life Enrichment Center. The source of funding has been transferred from Title XX to Medicaid and should be a self-supporting program: There is an increase in the cost of utilities, but no increase of personnel, no merit increases, as all increases are frozen and will remain frozen throughout this fiscal year. Commissioner Walker asked that since the local share was increased if this increase addressed the deficit of the Mental Health Center. ~~~ Mr. Baxter stated that if you have a deficit this year, you must address the same deficit next year, or else cut back programs. He stated that included in this budget was $40,000 for pay backs for 1978 fiscal year. He stated that Mental Health had received confirmation from Pat Webb that the total deficit can be delayed until June, 1978. Mr. Baxter stated that when the auditors were here this past week, they found the possibility of some additional funds which were dispersed and Mental Health feels they can get credit for. If so, this will reduce the pay backs by $20,000, if the.State will acknowledge this. Commissioner Walker asked Mr. Baxter to explain the difference between a deficit and pay back. -. Mr. Baxter stated that a deficit is when you do not generage sufficient revenue to cover your expenses. A pay back relates to monies which you re- quested in a previous year which were either not spent or you should have spent and consequently, these monies have to go back to the State. This could be area match funds which were requested and sufficient expenditures wre not available to match, so these funds have to be reverted. Mr. Baxter stated that it was possible that for 2 or 3 years, Mental Health was funding a deficit wtih pay back monies. He added that with 31 sources of funding, it was impossible to know until an audit if you have met your match. A pay back is a common occurrence, and until the State performs a second audit you do not know if you are in a pay back situation. Commissioner Walker stated that he had attempted on past occasions to get a financial report from Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health.. Mr. Baxter reviewed the budget with the Hoard. He stated that in March, the Center had 4900 patient contacts, and in Apzil, there were 4500 patient contacts. Fees for service have.~.increased to $13,000 over $3,000. Commissioner Gustaveson spoke of coordination of transportation in the County. He requested from the Mental Health Center a package of facts regarding the number of cars used, the miles driven per day, number of passengers, and the number of trips to different locations each day. Mr: Gustaveson asked if there was any work regarding the Northside property, which will house the Mental Health Center in the future. The County Manager stated that the plans should be back fram the State by June. The State has raised very few minor objecti6ns regarding the plans. Chairman Whitted stated that a public hearing would be advertised be- fore the Mental Health budget is adopted. The meeting was then adjourned ichard E. Whitted, Chairman Agatha Johnson, Clerk ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY 16, 1977 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on Monday, May 16, 1977, at 7:30 p.m., in the Commissioners' Room of the Courthouse in Hillsborough to continue budget hearings far fiscal year 1977-1978. Present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker, and Donald Willhoit. Others present were S. M. Gattis, County Manager, Neal Evans, Finance Director, Joe Bradshaw, Administrative Assistant, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk. The Chairman stated that the Board would review the proposed budget of the Recreation Department. He recognized Robert Strayhorn, Chairman of the Recreation Advisory Council. Mr. Strayhorn asked Wayne Weston, Recrea- tion Director for Orange County to present the proposed budget.