HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 197806124` :~ .~
MINUSES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARb OF COMMISSIONERS
JUNE 12, 1978
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in special session
on Monday, June 12, 1978, at 7:30 p.m, in the Commissioners' Room
of the Court House in Hillsborough far the purpose of continuing
budget discussion of the proposed 1978-1979 budget.
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 Officer; Joe Bradshaw, Administrative Assistant and
Agatha Johnson, Clerk. Members of the County Health Board present
were Chairman Dr. William Mayes, Evelyn Lloyd and Jim Boyd.
Jerry Robinson, Health Director, was also present as well as
members of the Health Department staff.
Chairman Whitted stated that the Commissioners would hear
the budget presentation of the Health Department and then recog-
nized Dr. Mayes.
br. Mayes stated that his Board was present tonight to
present to the Commissioners the need to provide health services
both directly and indirectly to the residents of Orange County.
Dr. Mayes asked the Health Director, Jerry Robinson, to review
for the Board the proposed financing of the Health Department.
Jerry Robinson stated that the Manager's budget for the
Health Department amounted to $472,304. From this amount,
$25,000 is subtracted for the proposed Environmental Health
Fees and $142,866 subtracted for various grants, leaving
a local support level of $304,440. The Fiscal year 1978 local
support was $252,881, then leaving an increase of $51,5'59.
Mr. Robinson then stated that the settlement with the District
Health Department he believes was somewhere in the range of
$30,OOD and if this is programmed into this year's budget would
leave a net increase for 1979 of $21,559 .for the Health Department.
Mr. Robinson stated he had been informed by the County Manager
and Finance Director that the proposed 7$ increase was arbitrary
and the relationship between their funding recommendation and
the budget narratives was not considered; that this was the
province of the department. The County Manager stated that it
was not his intent to reduce the staff or level of services over
those presently authorized. The Health Director stated that his
analysis of haw the Department could operate on this allocation
is a consideration of (a) We wish to provide more of the minimum
level of number and kinds of services in the State standards
than did the District Department; (b) we wish to provide at ],east
the same service level as at this year ending; (c) we do not wish
tp discharge any staff. Mr. Robinson stated that all of the above
criteria could be met with this level of funding; however, in
order to do this he would have to be frugal regarding the purchase
of X-rays, and basically not purchase equipment and perhaps limit
mileage later in the year. Secondly, a public health department
is supposed to be able to respond to unusual community problems.
If such a need arises, a special appropriation would be necessary.
Mr. Robinson stated that last year's budget was a "guesstimate"
of what it would cost to pick up necessary staff to begin with. It
was not based on meeting state standards, community needs, or even
a program budget. The budget presented by the Health Department
was constructed with an analysis of community needs, was grounded
in the State Standards, and was sized in close comparison to
appropriate county departments.
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In terms of the impact of the Manager's proposed budget
in environmental health, Mr. Robinson stated his department
would be able to meet all required minimal work loads and
activities. He recommended that the Board delay any attempt
to regulate private and semi-private water supplies until next
fiscal year. Not providing this service will cut free revenue
potential approximately in half. In family planning, the
Department will continue as at present; however, Mr. Robinson
pointed out that by not doing certain activities now will lead
to additional cost later. The generalised preventative health
education effort for the community will not be implemented. The
Department will not act on a recommendation to hire a V.D. worker
in the family planning program. The Department will not be able to
give proper attention to tuberculosis as proposed, will not attempt
any colorectal cancer screening, but will expand the present level
of other chronic disease screening. The Maternal Health and Child
program will continue as at present. Mr. Robinson recommended
that the Board not continue to provide more aid to Chapel Hill-
Carrboro schools than to Orange County schools in regard to school
health. He envisioned the school health situation as getting
worse without expansion a.n this area.
Mr. Robinson pointed out that as inflation rises, more people
are using the services of the Health Department, particularly for
preventative clinical services. He stated he would have to either
turn people away or provide less of something else. The Health
Director stated his department had picked up momentum and are
progressing; however, a hold-the-line budget will be disastrous
to the department.
Finally, the Health Director spoke of the use of non-local
funds used by his department. He stated the Finance Director
had informed him that if certain programs generate revenue, then
that revenue should be used to offset the local cost of these
programs. The County Manager indicated to him that this policy
would not prohibit using new revenue unrelated to existing
programs to open a new service, if paid for totally by the new
revenue.
Mr. Robinson stated his problem with these sentiments are:
(a) Public Health program funding is not that categorical and
the expectation is for the department to finance new efforts by
generating new revenue from existing programs; (b) given the
depressed level of non-local funding, the department could never
expand its services ,. but decrease the local tax dependency by the
department by a small margin. This philosophy would exclude the
Health Department from a vast amount of potential federal programs
because guidelines state that federal monies cannot be used to
offset local cost.
Dr. Mayes informed the Board that on May 18, 1978, the I3ealth
Board adopted a policy to charge a fee for services not to exceed
a certain amount for selective environmental services. The Board
feels these fees should be collected because a certain privilege
group is not paying for services that the general taxpayer in the
County is paying. He added that the Health Board strongly urged
that the fees be directed back to the Health Department. By the
selective privilege group, Dr. Mayes stated he was referring to
developers and individual home builders.
Commissioner Walker stated these services are mandated and the
developers usually pass this cast on to the consumer. He added
the Health Department is funded by the tax dollar to provide a
service. Sy charging a fee for these services, taxpayers are
paying taxes twice. He stated that he was totally in disagreement
with charging fees for services.
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Chairman Whitted recognized Lloyd Senter with the South
Orange Rescue Squad. Mr. Senter stated that the budget presented
to the County Manager is an operational budget based on the
expenditures of last year, The total budget was for $70,809;
however, approximately $24,$00 is expected from contributions
and othez sources, which brings the request from the County to .
$46,000. He stated this was the minimum budget the Squad could
operate with.
Discussion ensued among the Board and members from the various;
rescue squads regarding a third part reimbursement for service.
It was stated that reimbursement was made in some cases that
insurance companies will pay if a bill is submitted.
Chairman Whined thanked the rescue squads for their service
to the county. He stated that their requests would be considered
and the 1978-79 budget is expected to be adopted by .Tune 26, 1978.
The next agency to appear before the Board was that of the
Animal Protection Society.
Chairman Whitted recognized Dr. Parker Reist. Dr. Reist stated
he was not requesting more money for the animal shelter but he
wanted to point out that if the APS operated the Orange County
Animal Shelter there would be various benefits to local government.
Specifically, APS has offered an estimated contribution of
$15,000 to cover costs of equipping the shelter with kennel
cages, cleaning equipment, a freezer, water and feed containers,
and other furnishings, Furthermore, APS offers an annual contri-
bution of between $10,000 and $11,000 toward shelter operation.
The County Manager stated the appropriate time to decide
about the operations of the shelter would be later in the fall.
Mr. Willhoit stated, "I would like to see the Board work towar.
further discussion of a contract that would see more of development
of fees and fines and etc. than what the APS feels is a reasonable
charge in this area."
Dr. Reist stated his organization is ready to help in setting
up a fee and fine schedule as well as advice regarding any animal
problem.
The last item to be discussed by the Board was that of the
CETA program. The Chairman stated the County Manager and staff
had met with Jack Stone and Dennis Cada of Durham-Orange Employment
Training Service and had reviewed their latest analysis of Title
VI funding available for Orange County. He asked the County
Manager to comment.
Mr. Gattis informed the Board that no information is available
about what might occur with the CETA Program after September 30th.
The comments which are offered are in regard to operating the
CETA program between now and September 30, 1978.
1. DOETS estimates it has $80,445 available to continue Title
VI through September 30th.
2. To fund all current Title VI positions through September
30th, DOETS needs $120,000. Therefore, DOETS must reduce its
level of operation in Orange County by $40,000 between now and
September 30th.
3. Next year, 10-1-78 through 9-30-79, DOETS estimates
Orange County can reasonably expect funding sufficient for 32 job
slots. Currently, 73 job slots are funded in Orange County.
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Chairman Whitted stated that there are needs which ex~.st in
certain areas of the Health Department. What level of services
can the Board of Commissioners provide in this year's budget
which can be continued in next year's budget? To what extent
does the Health Department have the ability to meet needs in
certain areas?
Mr. Robinson replied that based upon the feel of community
needs, the Department was certainly not coming close to providing
the community need level. The services currently being provided
are not of the significant level to make an impact on the statistics
of the County. Regarding the infant mortality rate. Mr. Robinson
stated he felt statistics would stay the same, this is due to
the increased strength in the Family Planning program.
Dr. Joanna Dalldor~, a pediatrician working part-time in the
Health Department, stated that the physical and mental health
problems in the County started with preventative health in the
County Health Department. She spoke of the need to increase
health services in the County.
Sharon Wallsten, a school health nurse, spoke in support of
the school health proposal.
The Chairman to the Board expressed his appreca.atian to the
Health Board and staff for their presentation.
The Chairman stated that the Board would hear next Exam the
rescue squads. He recognized Gordon Liner, Chief of the Orange County
Rescue Squad.
Mr. Liner stated that his proposed budget had been cut sig-
nificantly. One area which was cut was that of salaries. Mr.
Liner explained that he had wished to bring the salaries of
the day-time employees up to tiie :tevei comparable with,~7)uriiam
and Alamance counties. The original request to the tanager was
for a 125 increase. This was reduced. Salaries have since been
reworked by the squad at 6~ fox a request of $26,219.62. The
total request of the rescue squad is $82,953.62. Mx. Linea
stated that organization could expect t^ receive between $12,000
and $15,000 in contribution and this could be applied against the
total request. He stated that his budget had been tra.mmed.by
reducing salaries by 6~ and by eliminating the matching funds for
another vehicle. He spoke of other outstanding bills which had
been incurred by the squad.
Commissioner Walker asked that the Orange County k2escue Squad
budget be flagged for further discussion.
Mr. Liner informed the Berard that the rescue squad building
would be paid for in December of 1979.
The Chairman then recognized John Kennedy with the Nro dosed
Rescue Squad. Mr. Kennedy stated to the Board that the p p
$25,175 would not get the New Hope Rescue Squad any place. He
stated it is necessary that the Rescue Squad employ two day time
employees, since people in the area work away from their homes.
His budget request asked that one additional person be added to
the staff and to provide salary increases and fringe benefits far
the present employees. The total request to the County is for
$60,873.78. Of this amount, $33,560.28 is proposed for the
additional position and support of salaries. The remainder is to
be used as matching funds for an ambulance and fox the "jaws
of life" equipment.
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The staff recommends reducing CETA funding to a level more
nearly corresponding with the 32 slots estimated to be available
for the next federal fiscal. year. The following is recommended:
a. Carrboro should accept financial responsibility for
5 of 11 CETA slots presently working for the Town.
}~. Hillsborough should accept financial responsibility for
5 of the 11 CETA slots presently working with the Town.
c. Chapel Hi11 should accept financial responsibility for
10 of the 14 CETA slots presently working for the Town.
d. Orange County should accept financial responsibility
for 5 of the 21 slats presently working for Orange County.
e. The 16 slots presently functioning in non-governmental
agencies be continued until the conclusion date of their existing
projects, all between now and September 30th.
Mr. Gattis stated this recommendation will leave 42 positions
funded on September 30th, with 31 having been discontinued at
previously determined times. This proposal makes no provision to
continue non-governmental positions beyond September 30th with some
positions being terminated prior to that time. 2n order to reduce
the level of CETA positions to $40,000 between now and September 30th,
the staff recommends the fallowing:
a. That Orange County transfer to the County payroll slots
filled by David Wagner, Marvin Rosamond, Charles Baldwin, William
Torain and Benjamin Clark. This will cost the County $44,038.
b. Carrboro eliminate from the CETA payroll five positions.
c. Hillsborough eliminate five positions.
d. Chapel Hill eliminate ten positions.
If this recommendation is implemented, on September 30th CETA
employees in Orange County will be distributed as follows:
Orange County 16 positions, Carrboro 6 positions, Hillsborough 6
positions and Chapel Hill 4 positions. The County should reserve
approximately $40,000 in its contingency to fund positions that
may be discontinued because of changed federal regulations on
October 1, 1978.
It was pointed out that of the 42 positions funded on
September 30th, ten of these positions are far the JOCCA
Weatherization program.
This item will appear on the June 20th agenda for action.
Mayor Robert Drakeford, Mayor of the Town of Carrboro, stated
the reduction in the CETA Program would have an effect on the Town's
.tax base. He asked that the County share more in accepting the
financial responsibility for more than five slots. He further asked
the Berard of Commissioners to consider asking the Governor for
special Discretionary Funds to help in this situation.
Charlotte Pettiford, Personnel Director for the Town of
Chapel Hill, asked that the impact of the reduction of the CETA
Program be shared more equally. Also, she requested that the
position of Community worker in the Ridgefield project not be
discontinued at its termination date but extended until at least
school starts.
It was pointed out that the Community worker position is a
project position which is to terminate July 18th. The Board
does have some discretion in retaining positions; however, that
position would have to be transferred into the sustaining area.
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Chariman Whitted asked Ebert Keith from the Staff of the
Town of Hillsborough if he had any comment. Mr. Keith stated
the Town of Hillsborough was quite pleased with the recommendation
of the County.
Wes Hare, Director of JOCCA, asked the Board to take some
tentative action in regard to three positions which axe filled
by key persons in work crews. These three persons are presently.
on vacation and are possibly looking for jobs. If these three
could continue until September 30th, it would solve some of the
problems for the JOCAA program.
Under the non-governmental positions, it was indicated that
the staff recommends 10 positions be funded through September-30th
and that the 6 tutorial positions terminate September 19th if
not sooner.
Upon motion of Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner
Gustaveson, it was moved to accept the Manager's recommendation
to approve the continuation of ten construction positions for
non-governmental until September 30th. Further discussion ensued.
Commissioner Willhoit amended his motion to accept the
Manager's recommendation to extend the 10 slots presently existing
in non-governmental agencies until the conclusion date of their
projects, err until September 30th.
Commissioner Gustaveson agreed to the .amended motion.
The Chairman called for a vote on the motion and all members
of the Board voted aye. The motion was declared passed.
The .County Manager brought to the attention of the Berard a
budget transfer of funds to purchase microwave equipment for the
EMS agency. He stated that funds were available in the. budget
fox this equipment.
Bobby Baker, Communications Director, informed the Board
of problems which existed with the present telephone line s. used
by Central Dispatch. He stated the microwave equipment is more
reliable. The equipment will cost approximately $18,000. It
will take about six months for the equipment to be operational.
The County Manager stated this item would not 'require a
budget amendment.
Mr..Whitted brought to the attention of the Board a letter he
had received from Jack Brock requesting support from the Board
for the campaign of.Richazd Cander for Fourth Vice President of
NACp. He stated if members of the Board wished to contribute to
this campaign, to give their money to the Clerk to forward to
Elizabeth Cofield, Wake County Commissioner.
Mr. Whitted also asked members bf the Board to think about
changing the date of the first Monday's meeting in July, since
July nth is an Tuesday and some employers will be granting a two
day holiday.
The Clerk asked the Baard to consider approving the May 16th
minutes in order that they might be•typed into the Minutes Docket
Book.
Upon motion of Commissioner Gustaveson, seconded by Commissioner
Pinney, the May 16th minutes were approved based on the reconstructed
consensus of the Board.
The meeting was then adjourned.
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~=Richard'Whitted, Chairman
Agatha Johnson, Clerk