HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19780622~, _ ,J
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUNE 22, 1978
The Orange County Board of Commissioners continued budget
discussions on Thursday, June 22, 1978 at 7:30 p.m, in the
Commissioners' Room of the Court House in Hillsborough.
Members present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners
Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman [calker and Donald Willhoit.
Staft members present were S. M. Gattis, County Manager;
Neal Evans, Finance Director; Joe Bradshaw, Administrative
Assistant, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk. Also present were
representatives from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro and County
school systems.
The budget discussion began with a presentation of Coznmissicner
Walker. Commissioner Walker stated that he would like to see a
no-increase budget for fiscal year 1978-1979. Further, he
suggested the .Board set a policy whereby the budget is not amended
from month to month. He stated that he wished to go on record as
being opposed to the Health Department's proposed fee schedule
for land development services.
Regarding legal fees, Mr. Walker stated the proposed budget
appropriated $79,440 for legal services. He suggested that $50,000
could be saved in legal cast by employing a full time attorney.
He added that the attorneys have not provided the Board with a
justification as to why this amount is needed and this cut would
save 1~ an the proposed tax increase.
He stated recreation is a county-wide program and should
accomodate citizens from both ends of the County. He stated he woL'~`
like to cut from the budget the appropriation for Municipal SupporR
This cut would also save 1~ on the proposed tax increase.
He suggested that the capital outlay for schools be evened
by appropriating $233,200 to both school systems for a total of
$466,400 instead of $572,400. This would be a saving of $106,000_
If the Board wants to consider the $144,000 which was transferred
in Chapel Hill's current expense to capital outlay, Chapel Hi1I`s
capital outlay could then be reduced $144,D00 for a total of
$93,000.. He stated he was concerned about how Chapel Hill ended
the fiscal year with a fund balance of $212,000 plus an additional
$50,000 to be added at audit time.
For the schools current expense, Mr. Walker recommended a
6~ increase instead of the Manager's proposed 13$ increase. This
would be $374 per pupil and a saving of $216,141, but an increase
of $126,000 over last year's current expense. He suggested that
some of the fund balance be used to bring the per capita pupil
expense up to $3$0 if the Board was so inclined. A summary of
Mr. Walker's proposed cuts are:
t
$ 50,000 from Legal Services
75,000 from Municipal Support
106,800 from Capital Outlay
14q,000 which was transferred from Chapel Hi11's
current expense earlier this year
216,141 from current expense
$587,941 Total
The $587,941 would reduce the proposed tax increase about 7.7~.
Discussion ensued amoung members of the Board regarding certaa,n
areas of Commissioner Walker's proposal.
Chairman Whitted informed the Board of three areas of
supplemental appropriations by the General Assembly: 1) Area of
Exceptional.Children,2) Area of Maintenance Mechanic, 3) Between
26 and 30~ Increase on Fuel.
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Dr. R. Mike Simmons, Superintendent of the County School
System, stated his system anticipated three positions under the
Special Education Program. He stated he was unsure of the
formula used; however, supplemental appropriations have also
been made to reduce the teacher/pupil ratio and he expected to
receive funding for one additional teacher far the junior high
ratio reduction. Between 20 and 40~ funding is expected toward
a maintenance mechanic and between 26 and 30~ increase in funding
for fuel.
~- Charles Rivers, Assistant Superintendent of the Chapel Hi11--
Carrboro School•System stated that the system expected to receive
three additional positions far the exceptional children program,
funding of approximately $2,700 toward a maintenance supervisor
and two additional teachers far the junior high level.
P4r. Pinney stated he estimated the fuel cast for each
system would be reduced by $14,000 for the year.
Chairman Whitted presented an exercise he had performed which
he stated would bring the tax increase to 6~.
He started at the present tax rate of 78$ and projected
revenue with just the increase in tax base of $447,026. The
increased revenues from other sources amounted to $344,192 for
a total of $791,218 increase in revenue. A 6.2~ increase over
last year.
For the schools current expense, Mr. Whiffed used the
Manager's proposed $396 per pupil figure. He stated that his
calculations showed that the systems could expect $].6.00 per
pupil in State monies, which could be deducted from the $396
figure, leaving it at $380, or an increase in current expense of
$275,805 over last year.
In capital outlay, the proposed budget recommends.an increase
of $32,400. Mr. ~~Thitted suggested adding $5.0,000 to"thus amount
for the Qrange County system for a total of $82,400 for both
systems. When the $275,805 and the $82,400 is subtracted from
the $791,218, this leaves a total of $433,013.
For salary increases of 6~, the amount would be $189,000
plus $23,000 for the Chapel Hi11 schools for a total of $212,000
in additional revenues. After deducting this increase, $?.21,013
would remain in new revenues.
Additional monies far EMS would be $76,333 and $20,833 will
be needed for tax collection. After subtracting these two figures,
the total amount of revenues will be $123,847.
Chairman Whitted explained these were approximate figures
and were being "thrown out" for the Board's consideration. It
was suggested to xound the $123,847 figure off to $12D,000. He
stated that the answer to the budget question lies in the amount
appropriated to schools. Further discussion indicated the need
of continual dialogue with the congressional delegation in
Raleigh regarding funding for mandated programs such as the
exceptional children program.
The Board of Commissionezs reviewed a list of the adjusted
changes found in the 1978--1979 budget. Calculations by subtracting
the allocations to the schools showed a figure of $389,873, which
is the difference between this years budget and next years budget.
The debt service amount of $224,OOD and $278,000 to the buildir_g
fund was then added to the $389,873 for a total figure of $891,873.
The figure of $433,013 of new revenue is then subtracted from
$891,873 to arrive at a total of $458,860. One cent of tax
produces $76,667. L4hen $76,667 is divided into $458,860, this
will give a 6G tax increase. The Chairman stated that this process
did not include any items which had been flagged nor does it include
additional monies for the Contingency Fund.
The Board discussed the proposed fee schedule for selected
environmental health services within the Health Department.
Commissioner Walker stated his opposition to charging fees
for services rendered.
Chairman Whitted stated he has given the fee schedule a
great deal of thought and he is unsure of what direction to take.
He stated the Board could leave the anticipated $25,OOQ from fees
in .the budget at this time and later adjust the document.
Commissioner Willhoit stated the work load of the sanitarians
is generated greatly by environmental services. People are
asked that taxes not be increased, yet this is a service where
the cost and benefits are directly related. He added that he
could not support the present number of sanitarians in the
Health Department without some fee schedule. He continued that
he was not opposed. to having a certified engineer, privately
hired by developers, do the soil analysis or supervise the septic
tank installations.
Commissioner Pinney stated he was not ready to make a
decision on the proposed fee schedule, but the Board needed to
decide whether or not to put the $25,000 in the budget.
Commissioner Gustaveson stated that he essentially opposed
the total recommendation for assessing fee as presented by the
Health Board; however, in the area of septic tanks and the possibili"y
o£ same future well ordinance, this is a specialised service for
a specialized group and is a case where the user should pay the
cast for the service. He suggested the $25,000 be left in the
budget and that the Board give this matter more though as to
whether or not to go with the total recommendation of the Health.
Board ar to modify the recommendation.
Commissioner Walker asked that the $25,000 be taken out.
The consensus of the Board was to leave the $25,000 in the
Manager's recommended budget.
The $oard proceeded to review the budget document and suggested
changes in the following axeas.
Add:. Board of Election $ $,000
Recreation Specialist 12,271
Recreation Tennis Courts 5,000
Botanical Garden 4,700
Community Theatex 1,000
Library 4,000
JOCCA 6,000
Human Services 17,463
Coordinator
Switchboard 2,000
Rape Crisis 2,405
Dam at Lake Orange 20,000
CETA ` 46,300
Northside/Ef-Cheeks 45,000
The total amount for add ons is $174,139
Mr. Pinney summarized the discussion. From the $174,139 of
new revenue, $113,440 was taken from the schools. This leaves
$60,699 which needs to be added to the budget as it now stands
without the add ons or addin5 additional monies for schools. The
Contingency will remain at $225,000.
Discussion continued. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that
$380 for school would not be acceptable to him. In terms of add
ons, he suggested the following: (5) CETA Conversion at a cost
of $46,400; Northside/Efland Cheeks - $45~630'RecreationESpecialist -
$8,000; Human Services Coordinator - $17,
$12,271; and Library - $2,900.
Commissioner Pinney stated add ons he wished to see added
are: CETA Conversions, the election amount, the library and the
wozk an the dam at Lake Orange. In his opinion, the $380 per pupil
is all right.
Chairman whitted stated his priorities are: Elections, CETA,.
Library and the Recreation Specialist, and suggested the Board
look at other areas.
Commissioner Willhbit stated he felt cuts should be from
thoserPorosed $3801Chehstatedcheawauldvlike2toeheartfurtherrfrom
the p p
the schools.
Commissioner Pinney asked the County Manager to obtain a
breakdown of cast and revenues from the Register of Deeds for
the Monday night meeting.
The meeting was then adjour~ f ~ ^_
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Richard Whitted, Chaiz~nan
Agatha Johnson, Clerk