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APPROVED : 8-6-90
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION
MAY 31, 1990
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on May 31, 1990 at 7:30 p.m.
in Superior Courtroom, Hillsborough, North Carolina for the purpose of holding a
budget work session on the Manager's proposed 1990-1991 budget.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners
Shirley E. Marshall, Stephen Halkiotis, John Hartwell and Don Willhoit.
STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John Link, Assistant County Manager Ellen
Liston, Economic Development Commission Director Ted Abernathy, Deputy Clerk to the
Board Kathy Baker, Agricultural Extension Director Fletcher Barber, Clerk to the
Board Beverly Blythe, Finance Director Ken Chavious, DSS Director Marti Pryor Cook,
Health Promotion Coordinator Mary Bobbitt Cooke, Health Director Dan Reimer, EMS
Support Staff Jeanette Smith, Budget Administrator Rod Visser, EMS Director Nick
Waters, and Budget Analyst Donna Wagner.
Chairman Carey explained that the Manager would present the 1990-1991
budget at this meeting. A Public Hearing will be held on June 12th at which time
the public may comment on the budget.
County Manager John Link used overhead slides to summarize the contents of
the budget for 1990-1991. A copy of the presentation is in the permanent agenda
file.
Commissioner Hartwell asked Reimer to address the issue of Sexually
Transmitted Diseases (STD's), and visiting programs for infants and pregnant women
in this county. Reimer indicated that there has been a stabilization of several of
the STD's, however, some of the other categories are on the increase. Also, the
demand for clinical services has been on the increase and has taken away from time
that was available for family planning patients. The additional staff members will
enable the Health Department to increase the time available for this testing from
two full days to 3 1/2 days. The use of the clinic by infants and pregnant women
has increased 100% over the last three years. Because staff has not been increased
during this time, home visits after delivery have decreased to below the standard
set for this service. The increased usage of prenatal services at the Health
Department is a result of the quality of the service, the change in the eligibility
requirement for pregnant women and the increased media promotion statewide for women
to get prenatal care early in their pregnancy.
Commissioner Hartwell mentioned that he was glad to see the Coordinated
Transportation System (C.A.T. ) listed separate from the Aging Department. He
mentioned that a joint effort has been under way to establish a Senior Center in the
eastern part of Chapel Hill. The goal of the Aging Board would be to rent space for
this Center. Link indicated that money had not been allocated for this project. He
stated that the goal for this year was to examine and assess the needs. Next year's
goal will be to allocate funds.
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Commissioner Hartwell also mentioned the need for the public information
network to be allocated approximately $2,000.00. Link indicated that this money was
not budgeted, however, it could be absorbed into the budget.
Commissioner Halkiotis questioned if the Electronic House Arrest program
was in operation. He also questioned if two additional deputies and one cook would
be sufficient to serve the expected increase in the jail population. He requested
an update on the improved countywide emergency radio communication system. The
Sheriff will attend one of the upcoming budget worksessions in order to address
these questions. EMS Director Nick Waters indicated that the study regarding an
improved fire services radio system was expected to be completed by the end of June.
In response to a question from Commissioner Halkiotis, Link indicated that
a new High School would be needed in 1998. A final decision on this proposed school
will need to be made by 1995. The initial planning for location and scope will
begin in 1991.
Chairman Carey mentioned that the Board of Commissioners will be
considering a permanent, structured tax to cover the operational costs of these
schools. He asked that staff inform the Commissioners to the steps necessary to put
this issue before the public later this year.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. The next
regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be held on June 26th
at 7:30 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Old Post Office.
Moses Carey, Jr.,
Chairman
Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk