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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 197706012~1 Chairman Whitted asked if there were any other matters to come before the Planning Board, or the County Commissioners, if not, the meeting stands adjourned. / _. _--. F 1 / / ~ ~~ ~ ~~- ; ~~. Richard Whined, Chairman Agatha Johnson, Clerk MI'NCFIFS ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JUNE 1, 1977 The Orange County Beard of Commissioners met on Wednesday, June 1, 1977, at 7:30 p.m., in the Commissioners' Room of the Courthouse in Hillsborough for the purpose of continuing budget discussions for Fiscal Year 1977-1978. Those 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, Jeffrey Gledhill, County Attorney, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk. The Chairman called the meeting to order and stated that there were several items which needed to be resolved prior to the beginning of the scheduled work session. Chairman Whitted recognized Jeffrey Gledhill, County Attorney, who will discuss with the Board proposed legislation. Mr. Gledhill stated that General Statute 105-285 provides for dis- covery of property held by an exempt institution if it is acquired by a non-exempt institution between January 1 and July 1. Although the listing period runs from January 1 to December 31, the tax year for which you are listing is July 1 through June 30th. As the law is presently written, it only includes the listing of real property. This proposed act would amend that to include all but business inventories. Mr. Gledhill stated that if the Board of Commissioners endorse this legislation, it would be taken to Representative Hune and Senator Vickery to introduce into the General Assembly. Discussion ensued. Upon motion of Commissioner Gustaveson, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit, it was moved and adopted to endorse the proposed legislation. The County Attorney was authorized to write a letter to the County's legislative delegates and request that this proposed legislation be sponsored and introduced. The County Attorney stated that at the last meeting he was requested to review the LEAA Application for funding of an Emergency Care Facility. He stated that he had reviewed the application and that he had no recom- _ mendation as to whether or not the application should be supported, however, Mr. Gledhill did point out that the Resolution which the County had adapted provides that the applicant intends to continue the program at its own ex- pense and to appropriate funds therefore subject dnly to budgetary limita- tions. He added that the Resolution stated that there is no commitment from LEAA for funding beyond the first year and that at the end of the first year, there will be a final comprehensive evaluation of the project by the director of the project and the Youth Services Needs Task Force. Mr. Gledhill stated that cost for continuation of this program beyond the first yeax would probably be between $47,000 and $50,000 per year. Commissioner Pinney stated that it was standard practice of LEAA to ask that the program be continued, however, they cannot xequire this. He added that Larry Cotton, Director o f the Janus House would provide the administration of the program, and that the County is committed to fund 5 percent of the monies, at a cost of $2,500 for the first year. Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner Walker, it was moved and adopted to authorize the Chairman to the Board to sign the Subgrant Application and that $2,500 be allocated as the County's part for funding of this project. (For copy of Resolution committing Orange County to 5 percent match see page 235 of this book.) z~z Chairman Whitted referred to a letter from Wayne Weston, Director of the Orange County Recreation and Parks Department, requesting that the Proclamation promoting June as National Recreation and Park Month be docu- mented and endorse by the Board of Commissioners. Upon motion of Commissioner Gustaveson, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit, it was moved and adopted to endorse the Resolution proclaming June as National Recreation and Parks Month. (For copy of resolution see page 236 of this book). Chairman Whitted referred to the proposed budget for 1977-1978: He - asked that the County Manager make his presentation and then proceed with a review of the County's revenues. Mr. Gattis stated that the budget evolved around the County's Capital Improvement Program and the recently approved School Bond issue. The approval of a $6,000,000 school bond referendum has made it possible to temporary divert funds which were previously used for school construction projects to complete the County Capital Improvement Program. The County Manager estimated the completion cost of the Capital Improvement Program to be $2,060,000. On June 30th, the County will have $900,000 available to partially fund this program over two fiscal years. Mr. Gattis recom- mended an appropriation of $800,000 to the Capital-Improvement Fund for the $1977-78 fiscal year and he stated that he planned to recommend appro- priation of the balance necessary tc complete funding of this project ($145,000) in the 1978-79 fiscal year. During the current fiscal year, plans have been approved to organize three new county departments and the combining of the Vehicle Maintenance Facility, the Sanitation Department, and the Building and Grounds Department into a Department of Public Works with a full-time Director. This budget proposes the continuation of the county merit increment and longevity policies, provision of the cost of living adjustment as approved by the General Assembly for State employees, and the cost of employee coverage under the Hospital Insurance Program. Execution of this budget as recommended will require a county-wide tax rate of $.75, an increase of 7G over the existing $.68 rate. The Finance Officer, Neal Evans was requested to review the Revenues for 1977-78. Mr. Evans stated that the largest revenue anticipated was that for current tax, $5,320,000, which included the 7~ tax increase from the present $.68 rate. This is a collection rate of about 95 percent. Each penny on the tax rate produces approximately $70,920 and the $.75 would produce $5,320,000. Other revenues are consistent with previous years. Sales tax is shown at a potential increase of 6.5 percent. The County Inspection Programs are producing revenue quite well and $56,000 is proposed for the new year in this area. Intangible Tax has increased slightly over last year. The ABC-System shows an increase over last year of $10,000 over their commitment and $5,000 over what they. actually will be giving to the County. Following the grant action taken tonight the Criminal Justice LEAA line will change. Under the Utility Refund, the budget showed $8,000 which was allocated to OWASA as start up funds. Commissioner Pinney requested that the Finance Office check to see if OWASA did not owe the County more than $8,000. Under the section Federal and State Aid to Social Services, the Finance Director stated that $152,298 of Title XX Contracts is the amount which will be received and then $150,000 will be forwarded to the Frank Porter Graham Center. $2,248 will bo to Council on Aging for persons involved in Chore Services under Title XX. Under transportation, this is for transportation services of persons using services related to mental health activities under Title XX. Under State Aid to Health, these amounts are added as general State Assistance to the administration and operation of the Health Program. The present funding for Special Projects under the Health Program appears to be approximately $75,000. Under charges for current services, Recreation Fees have been divided into programs. A slight increase is shown in tele- phone revenues, these are agencies who are part of the Gaunty's telephone system. ~~3 Spacial Assessment, the County will collect about $13,500 from last year's $32,367 expenditure for the Road Assessment Program, and it is estimated that $15,000 will become available from that $32,367, plus the second year payment from the $32,367. The AFDC-IV~D Program is paying for itself. The Finance Director stated that all Court related fees were decreasing. Mr. Evans stated that the Revenue Sharing Fund was proposed to be $485,000, and $10,000 from the Utility Fund. Chairman Whitted asked if the Colonial Hills Water Line refund had been paid and the County Manager stated that the entire amount had not been paid. The Board requested that A. B. Coleman, County Attorney, check with the Town of Mebane concerning their payment of monies owned Orange County. The Finance Director, stated that the fund balance from the Health Department is now shown, and the Finance Office will not know what the fund balance will be until the end of the fiscal year. The fund balance for the County is $1,711,213. This estimate is con- servative as the fund balance could be as~~uch as $200,000. The grand total of General Fund Resources for the County is $12,157,110. About $900,000 of this fund balance is Building Fund money.. Chairman Whitted stated that there were three things to keep in mind. (1) the fund balance of District Health, (2) the total fund balance of the County after the District Health audit, and (3) the possibility of some funds from the town of Mebane, and the necessity to negotiate some type of settlement. The Board agreed to go through the budget and to list the large expenditures. The first area to be discussed was. schools. Mr. whitted stated that the current expense request from Chapel Hill was $1,948,777 and from the County $1,858,922. The proposed allocation for Chapel Hill for 1977-78 is $1,738,188 and for the County $1,507,002. In Capital Outlay, the Chapel Hill system requested $425,960 and the County requested $410,082. The proposed allocation for Chapel Hill and the County is $250,000. Discussion ensued. Dan Lunsfard from the County School system stated that the submitted budget was a maintenance budget not counting the eight teachers which were cut by the State or the 4~ teachers asked for new and expanded programs. This totals to $1,591,797 which is not really a maintenance budget because it does not cover the loss of the eight teachers. He added that the eight teachers needed .to be covered and that $100,000, including fringe benefits would cover these eight teachers. Mr. Lunsford stated that since the School Board had learned what the proposed budget for the County School System was, he had again gone through his budget and that there is no way that the County Schools can operate at the present operating level with $1,507,002. Chairman whitted reminded those present that last year the Board of Commissioners requested that the School Boards attempt to develop a 3 to 5 year budget so that money which was being spent for capital outlay for the schools could be diverted fmr County use so that the County's capital improvement program could get underway. In order to do that, it is necessary to put aside a substantial sum this year to go alone with the $9,00,000 that is anticipated June 30th to continue with the jail and Grady Brown projects. Dr. Hanes stated that the understanding of the Chapel Hill Carrboro School Board, concerning the current capital outlay from the time that the bonds were developed, was a continuation of the basic maintenance capital outlay. He stated that the average for current capital outlay for the last seven years for his system was about $300,000. He stated that the people of Ghapel Hill were expecting this capital outlay figure to be somewhere near what had been maintained over the years. 234 The Beard asked that Dr, Hanes and Mr, Lansford review the Capital Outlay Projects for the two school systems. Following Dr. Hanes' review of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Capital Out- lay Projects he stated that it was extremely difficult for the School Board to see how they could take $160,000 or so out of this budget. Dan Lansford stated that the County School Board had reworked some of their projects for use of the bond monies and that all of the bond monies would be used. He stated that the capital outlay budget is a minimum budget, but if the media center is taken out, the County School Bcard would be near the $250,000 which was recommended. He added that the County Schools could live with this capital outlay figure, however, the current expense figure is the problem, The maintenance budget figure for current expense for the County School system was quoted at $1,591,000, which is $85,000 short. This is without the additional teachers. Chapel Hill School System is roughly $l0,OD0 short of a maintenance budget. Mr, Lansford stated that the $85,000 fund balance was the operating funds for the school system. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that the Board would not be able to get to work on the budget until the School budget was decided upon. He added that the Ccunty School system was short in what is needed to main- tain the current level of operations, and the loss of the teachers is another crisis. That the Board needed to think in terms of pennies to bring the school systems up to the current level of maintenance, and that he could see about three pennies to keep that level of operation, Chairman Whined stated that his figures produced a tax rate of more like five cent. To use the $1,591,797 figure and add the cast of five teachers at $65,000 would bring the total tc $1,656,797 for the County school, which is $357.00 per pupil. The $357 per pupil plus the $8D0,000 total in capital outlay would be a ten cent increase added to the proposed seven cents. Neal Evans stated that the $85,000 fund balance could be included in ___ this budget and the County could carry the County School in cash flow for the next two years, By adding one cent to the capital outlay budget for both systems, and two cents to the current expense budget for both school; systems, the total amount is $570,000. At this point in the meeting, the Board decided to schedule additional meetings to discuss the budget. Other meetings scheduled by the Board to discuss the budget were June 2 and June 6, 1977, June 14, 1977 was scheduled for the Budget Public Hearing. The Board is hoping to adopt the 1977'78 budget by June 21, 1977. The Board reviewed the budget for the Agricultural Extension Service. The County cost for funding one-half of the two 4-H Assistants salaries is $5,860 for the coming year. The County's portion of the 50/50 match of Agricultural Services salaries for this year is $6,000, Chairman Whitted suggested that the $5,860 for the two 4-H Assistants be added to the budget, and that a clear understanding be worked out with the State regarding the 50/50 match of employees' salaries, The Board reviewed the Health Department's budget. The County Manager stated that the Health Budget attempted to provide the identical programs of the District Health. Commissiener Gustaveson stated that the critical area is the $20,000 which is cut from personnel. The County Manager stated that the reduction would be one Sanitarian and one part-time Sanitarian Supervisor and a part time Health Educator. Commissioner Willhoit stated that the State had recommended that the Health Department have six 5anitarians and with the new Soil Absortion Regulations affection July 1, 1977, the County would be hard pressed tokeep up. ~~5 Commissioner Gustaveson stated that he was concerned with the new Subdivision Regulations which would require enforcement. The Board reviewed the Libraries budget. Mr. Gustaveson stated that the question still remained concerning the funding for Carr Mill Library in Carrboro. The meeting was adjourned. / ~/% ' -- .,. ,~ ~; Richard E. Whitted, Chairmai~ Agatha Johnson, Clerk N. C- Department of Natural and Economic Resources Attachment F Law and Order Section i~1DEL LOCAL GOVg~iML+NTAL RESOLUTION P. 0. Box 27657 (See reverse side for policy statement) Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 y1HEREAS, the Oran a Count Board of Commissioners herein called the (Governing Body of Unit of Goverment) "Applicant" has thoroughly considered the problem addressed in the aubgrant application entitled Omnibus Crime.Cont-rol & Safe Streets Act=vf 1968 and has reviewed the protect described in the application; and WHEREAS, under the terms of.Public Law 90-351 as amended. the United States of America. has authorized the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, through the North Carolina L~ and Order Section to make federal grants to assist local goverments in the improve- ment of the criminal. justice system, NOW TEffiREI:oRE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Oran a Count Bo Y of Unit of-m Govax~neat) (Governing North Carolina, iN OPEN MEETING ASSEMBLED IN THE CITY OP Hillsborough : THIS 15th _DAY OF Febr a , 197 7 , AS FOLLOWS: 1. That the project referenced above is in the beat interest of the Applicant and the general public. Chairman of the,Orange 2. That County Commissioners be authorized to file, in behalf of (Name and T tle of Representative) the Applicant, an application in'the form preacxibed by the Law and Order Section for $47,500.00 to be made to the,ApplicanC to a subgrant in the amount of (federal dallax request) assist in defraying the coat•of the project described in .the application. This individual shall act as the authorized representative of the Applicant in Conner ' tion with all aspects of the applitation process. 3. That if the subgxant is made, the Applicant•shall provide or make arrangements to provide, a local cash matching contribution in•the amount of ~1 ~lO,"¢~h match) as required by the most-ctn:rent guidelines. y; That•to•the full extent the law allows, the applicant agrees that upon submission. of an application for this subgrant, the applicant'intends to continue the program at its own expense and-ta appropriate funds therefore subject only to budgetary limitations should the program bepusefu3.', effectivegand perti~cation in no way S. That applicant understands that a prone]-'of the sub rant app implies or comfits the United States of America, the Law Enforcement Administra- Linn or the Law and Order Section to approve any application fox continic~i~n funding ax to provide any continuation funding whatsoever; rather, app understands that continuation funding will probably not be available sad applica- tions therefore will only be cpnsidexed, if at all, under only unusual Circum- stances. 6. That the Project Director designated in the application form shall furnish or m e arrangements for other appropriate persons for furnish such information, data, documents and reports pertaining to the project, if approved, as may be required by the Law and Order Section. 7. That certified copies of this resolution be included as part of the application referenced above. S. Thin resolution having bean read aloud in its entirety at the meeting above mentioned, shall be effective upon its adoption and shall be recorded in its entirety in the minutes of Februar 15, 1977 (Governing Body of Unit of Goverment) ;'~I;the undersigned (Clerk) (Secretary) of Orange County Saard of Commissioners (Governing Body of Unit of Government) do hereby. certify the foregoing is an exact copy of a resolution read aloud and adopted by the on'the 1S day of Feb_ 1977 as (Governing Body of Unit of Govement) by, lam, provided. F '' (Clerl~ (Secreta~) df Name of Unit of~ ~3s COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S PROCLAMATION for June - National Recreation and Park Month WHEREAS, we are more aware than ever before of the important role which leisure activities will have in our future ],fives and in the lives of-our child- ren, and, WHEREAS, our county of Orange offers an impressive array of leisure acti- vities for the benefit of all our citizens, and, WHEREAS, the Orange County Recreation and Parks Advisory Council joins the National Recreation and Park Association in designating the month of June as National Recreation and Park Month to highlight the growing need of our citizens fox constructive, creative and meaningful free-time activities, NOW THEREFORE, I, Richard E. Whitted, Chairman of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, do hereby proclaim the month of June to be National Recreation and Park Month, and urge all citizens to participate in the many programs of recrea-• _. tion offered by the Gounty of Orange, Town of Carrboro and Town of Chapel Hill during June. szcNSn c~ Chairman of Orange County Board of Gvunty Commissioners COUNTY SEAL; DATE: