HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19770516~~~
Mr. Baxter stated that if you have a deficit this year, you musk
address the same deficit next year, or else cut back programs. He
stated that included in this budget was $40,000 far pay backs for 1978
fiscal year. He stated that Mental Health had received confirmation from
Fat 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. Tf 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 impassible 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 fzom Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health..
Mr. Baxter reviewed the budget with the Beard. He stated that in
March, the Center had 4900 patient contacts, and in April, 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 from the State
by June. The State has raised very few minor objections 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 V ~ ~'
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Richard E. Whitted, Chairman
Agatha Johnson, Clerk
ORANGE COUNTY BOA12D OF COM41ISSIONER5
MAY 16, 1977
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on Monday, May l6, 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 5trayhorn, Chairman of
the Recreation Advisory Council. Mr. 5trayhorn asked Wayne Weston, Recrea-
tion Director for Orange County to present the proposed budget.
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Mr. Weston stated that the intent of the Recreation Department
is to formulate a comprehensive recreation service an a county-wide basis.
One which would encompass all of the wholesome, leisure time endeavors of
major age groupings, special individual, family and community needs.
Departmental functions which would provide individuals with, not only
pragrams related to the athletically inclined, but also those which would
stimulate social, cultural, and creative instincts of people.
Mr. Weston recognized Eddie Howland, Assistant Recreation Director,
who reviewed the Cultural Arts Program of the Department. Mr. Howland
' stated that the objectives for the Cultural Arts Program are: (1) To
increase the instructional arts program from 30 to 35 different classroom
opportunities. (2) install wall mirrors and portable wooden flooring to
transform an existing locker room into a dance studio. This program parti-
cipantion would increase by 30 percent. (3) To make guitar program avail-
able to more individuals by providing guitars on a loan basis. Partacipa-
tion in this program would increase 60 percent. (4) To support local per-
forming groups by providing portable lighting equipment as a resource.
Jesse Pratt, Athletic Coordinator, reviewed the proposed budget for
the Athletic Program. Mr. Pratt stated that the objectives for 1977-78
of the Athletic Program are: (1) To incorporate coaches clinics. To in-
creased by 40 percent the number of qualified volunteers in this program.
(2) To initiate .county-wide activities an individual and sports. (3) To
bring families together for a night of activities each week to play world
wide games. These activities would reach approximately 35 percent of the
County not being served. (4) To organized a men's volleyball league of
approximately six teams of ten individuals. (5) To organize a women's
volleyball league of six teams of ten individuals each. (6) To organize
a soccer program in the area through clinics and self-directed participation„
(7) To add two expansion teams in youth football. (8) To add a Mate
League in baseball to afford the boys who phased out of Pee Wee Haseball
an opportunity to continue their interest.
Betty Oakley, Special Populations Coordinator reviewed the program
of Special Populations. Objectives of that programs are: (1) To expand
trips and events for Senior Citizens. (2) Provide instruction to senior
citizens. (3) To expand the programs for mentally and physically handi-
capped from 20 participants to between 40 or 50 participants. To provide
a Day Camp far retarded persons. (4) To increase participants in the
summer "Fun Rover" program from 350 to 600 this year. (5) To expand the
tennis lessons to attract 60 persons or more, to provide rook tournaments
and table tennis tournaments. (6) To develop a gymnastic program for
approximately 200 children including 40 mentally and physically handicapped.
The Recreation Director stated that a major increase is in the
personnel area of the budget. Two positions during 1976-77 were funded
through CETA funds, and are included in the Recreation budget this year.
The travel budget has been increased by $5,183. The total proposed budget
for the Orange County Recreation Department for 1977-78 is $233,403. The
proposed revenues of the Recreation Department is $34,450.
Several members of the Recreation Advisory Council spoke in support
of the Recreation Program and the proposed budget.
Eddie Howland presented to the Board an amendment to the Recreation
Budget for support of a Community Youth Theatre for children, ages 9 threugh
14. The program wall provide theatre experience for approximately 40
children. Mr. Bowland stated that a request of $1,600 is submitted to the
County far support of this program.
Hetty Oakley presented to the Commissioners an additional request for
$2,100 for support of a summer camp for the mental retarded children of
Orange County. This program is sponsored in conjunction with the Associa-
tion of Retarded Citizens of Orange County who will provide $4,200 toward
this summer camp. The County's share of this money will help in the opera-
tions of the camp.
Commissioner Gustaveson stated that this concern was that this summer
program would cut into priorities already set far the Recreation Department,
by requiring additional staff.
The Recreation Director stated that the summer months were somewhat
slow months for his Department and that this summer camp would not cut into
his staff's time that much.
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Commissioner Gustaveson suggested that another meeting be scheduled
with the Recreation Advisory Council to discuss the role of the Advisory
Commission.. This meeting will be scheduled at the first Monday's meeting
in June.
The next item on the Agenda was the Commission on the Status of
Women. The Chairman stated that last April, when the Commission was
established, the Board had requested a report from the Commission at the
end of a 12 month period. The Commission is present tonight to present
to the Board their report.
Ann Patton was spokeswoman for the Commission. She reviewed the
objectives for 1977-78 which axe: (1) To submit a proposal for the establ-
ishment of a permanent commission, requesting extension of member's terms
until September, 1977, when the new terms of office becomes effective.
(2) To adopt bylaws for the Commission. (3) To gather a roster of interested
and qualified women and men to serve as members of the Commission or on the
task forces. (4) To secure funding of the Cammissi.on, including program
budget, paid administrator, secretary, an office and telephone. (5) To
establish higher visibility in the County through an intensive media camp-
aign, formation of a speaker's bureau, and personal contacts. (6) To
publish a newsletter which will reach all areas of the County to provide
news and information of use to women. (7) To tabulate the survey, submit
results and make recommendations to the County Commissioners. (8) To begin
offering direct services to women through various educational and informa-
tional programs. (9) To establish a referral service and comprehensive
file of services available in Orange County.
Mr. Patton informed the Board that 5,000 questionnaire had been dis-
tributed to women in Orange County and there was a need for an additional
2,000 questionnaires, however, there are no funds available for the printing
of this material. Thus far, approximately 100 percent of the questionnaires
have been returned.
Chairperson, 5usy Trevino, stated that she had contributed between 20
and 40 hours a week to the work of the Commission.
The Cutoff date for return of the questionnaire is May 31, 1977. The
Commission will not know the results of the questionnaires until later in
the summer.
Commissioner Gustaveson stated that he felt the questionnaire needed
to be tabulated so that the areas of concern could be defined before the
next major step was taken. After this tabulation, the Commission could
work with other departments in the County to establish program in pointing
the way for other departments to pick up on certain programs.
Mr. Trevino stated that there was a need for a paid coordinator or
director to perform the duties of the Commission. The Commission requested
of the Board an extension of six months in order to get the qustionnaire
tabulated.
Upon motion of Commissioner Gustaveson, seconded by Commissioner
willhoit, it was moved that the-:Commission on the Status of Women be
granted a six month extension to complete their survey.
Commissioner Pinney requested that this motion be deferred until the
regular Tuesday night's meeting. This will be on the agenda for May l7, 1977.
Discussion ensued concerning the monies Left in the task force budget
of 1976-77, and the possibility of using this money for cost of computer
service and zerox charges.
Joint Orange Chatham Community Action was the next agency presenting
a budget for 1977-78. The Chairman recognized Wes Hare, Acting Director
of JOCCA. Mr. Hare had presented to the County Manager letters Bated April
4, 1977 and May 11, 1977. The April 4th letter from Floyd Wicker requested
an appropriation of $10,000 from Orange County for FY 1977-78 to be used
within the category of General Appropriations, of which the greater portion
will be used for local cash match to the CSA grant and the remaining to be
earmarked for the local match for the Title VII Nutrition Program. The
letter of May 11, 1977 requested that JOCCA's funding level be increased
to $16,200. The increase will cover the request that has been made to the
Towns of Hillsborough, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill. The Town of Chapel Hill
has stated that they will be unable to appropriate the requested $3,000 to
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to JOCCA based•~n•th,e evaluation criteria used and that a contributicn
for general maintenance operation is not consistent with the kind of
direct supportive services the Town assists. The Towns of Carrboro and
Hillsborough also face similar questions regarding their proposed appro-
priation.
Commissioner willhoit stated that he felt the County and other
municipalities should attempt to arrive at a vasi.s for a formula to
determine the proper appropriation from the various towns, and from the
County. He added that these agencies were caught in the middle and this
should be a function on the part of the County and the 'Downs. Mr. Hare
stated that JOCCA had received work that their local match to the CSA
Grant would be increased from 25 percent to 30 percent.
Commissioner Gustaveson asked that Mr. Hare provide the Board with
addition information for the budget of JOCCA. He stated that he would
like to know the kinds of new services which would be provided with this
appropriation as associaterd to other kinds of cost in the overall budget.
He asked that the different programs be tied to figures.
Commissioner Pinney requested that Mr. Hare seek other sources of
funding for support of the JOCCA Program.
Chairman Whitted stated that he felt the County needed to assess
their support of the JOCCA Agency regardless of what the Towns chose to do.
Mx. Bare was requested to provide the Board with additional information.
The next agency presenting a proposed budget was the Historical
Commission.
The Chairman recognized Mrs. Glaire Engstrom, Chairman of the
Historical Commission. Mrs. Engstrom stated that the Historical
Commission is composed of 29 people appointed by the governor of
North Carolina. The purpose of the Commission is to carry out a restora-
tion program in Hillsborough. The restoration program is funded through
State and Federal Grants. Mrs. Engstrom stated that.; the Commission was
presently debt free, and this request for $3,000 is for operational expense.
Commissioner Gustaveson requested that Mrs. Engstrom provide the
Board with a clear statement of how the requested $3,000 will be used.
Dr. Charles Blake, a member of the Commission, stated that the $3,000
would be used in the same manner as in previous years, however, many of
the items has increased in cost.
Mrs. Engstrom added that the Burrough School and grounds would be
opened for community use effective July 1, 1977.
The next agency presenting a budget was Switchboard, Inc.
Chairman Whitted recognized Ashley Moore with the Switchboard agency.
Mr. Moore introduced Susan Furches, De Whit McCauley, and Dr. Dennis Stacy
representatives of Switchboard.
Mr. Moore stated that Switchboard was requesting from the County an
appropriation of $5,000. He stated that three essentail services provided
by Switchboard are to provide crisis intervention, outpatient counseling
and drug abuse prevention/education services. -.
Ms. Furches reviewed the services provided by Switchboard, which in-
cluded a 24 hour hotline which provides counseling, information, and
appropriate community referrals. Switchboard provides an answering service
for Orange-Person-Charham Mental Health during off hours. Next year,
_ Switchboard has been asked to provide an alcohol information service for
OPC Mental Health. In addition, space is provided for counseling groups
in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area. An answering service is provided by
Switchboard for the Salvation Army in the southern part of the county.
The $5,000 requested from Orange County will be utilif.ed as local match
far State and Federal drug abuse monies available on 50/50 match ratio
far Intervention and Treatment, on 70/30 (State-Local) for Education/
Prevention, and on a 75/25 ratio in a Title XX grant for Out-patient
Drug Counseling.
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Mr. McCaulty stated that Switchboard had hoped to receive a contribu-
tion from the County in order to expand the Outpatient Counseling Program
and the Education/Prevention Program throughout the entire County.
Mr. McCauley stated that Switchboard felt it was not their responsi-
bility to insure coordination of services between the County and other
municipalities in order to assure themselves of sufficient funding for
the coming year. He stated that should Switchboard not receive the re-
quested funding the expension programs would be greatly restricted
throughout Orange County and would have to remain•at a low budget pace.
Switchboard was requested to submit their budget to the Chapel Hill
Boiard of Aldermen.
The last Department to present budget request to the Commissioners
was the Interim Board of Health.
Chairann Whitted recognized Kathy'Parker, Chairperson of the Interim
Board of Health, and other members from the Interim Health Soard.
Ms. Parker introduced Rick Bliss, a staff assistant, for the Interim
Health Board. Ms. Parker reviewed with the Board the proposed budget for
1977-78. She stated that the Health Board had prepared a "rock bottom"
budget, however, one new item which has been included since the Finance
Officer's initial report in January, is a 6~ percent salary increase for
State employees.
Mr. Bliss stated that other encreases were a change in the amount
paid employees for travel expense from 124 per mile to 154 per mile, and
the upgrading of salaries of the Health Department staff, effective July 1,
1977. One position will be reclassified in the Health Department. The
total request from the Health Department is $28$,000. This includes the
$152,000 which the Finance Officer had in his report of January, plus
$136,000 which basically is compared to the $80,000 figure reported in
January. The difference between the $136,000 and the $80,000 reflects
the increases which have been mentioned.
Other increases reflected in this figure are the cost of reading
X-Rays, since the Health Department will be losing Dr. Fuller's services
in this area, traveling expenses for Board members, and additional office -.
furnishings for the Health Department.
The County Manager stated that the Health Department's budget last
year was about $25,000 underfunded. This $25,000 was appropriated
through the Health Department's fund balance and through vacant positions.
It is estimated that the June 30, 1977 fund balance of the District
Health Department will provide Orange County with a share of $35,000.
Discussion ensued regarding a person t'o be hired for the purpose of
reading X-Rays. Commissioner Wi].lhoit stated that this issue should be
resolved after the Health Director has been hired.
It was pointed out that should the County not be able to appropriate
the proposed $2$8,000, the cut would effect personnel and salaries. This
proposed budget reflects less than $4.00 per capita of Orange County.
The North Carolina average is $4.50 per capita.
Mr. Bliss informed the Board that there we`re several possibilities
for additional revenue sources and these would be explored more fully
after the Health Director is hired.
The meeting was adjourned.
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ichard E. Whined, Chairman
Agatha Johnson, Clerk