HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19840904~G !
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if I f1 U T E S
ORANGE COUNTY 3OARD Or^ CONtB;ISSI0I7ERS
REGULAR b7EETIPIG
SEPTEMBER 4, 1984
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Septem-
ber ~- 1984 at 7:30 in the Commissioners' Room of the Orange County Courthouse,
Iiillsborough, North Carolina.
Commissioners Present: Chair Don T•~illhoit, and Commissioners Shirley
I~larshall, Ben Lloyd, h7orman z^7alker and Richard Whitted.
A. B~~RD CQj~1i•'lI;P7T~
Chair :~7i11hoit announced that at the recuest of Commissioner L].oyd anc the
Cheeks Township Ac,visory Committee the zoning for Cheeks Township has been
delayed and will be on the agency the first i':onday in October.
m r,, E ~~
None
~ ~ Q1,I ~'HE- PRI~~P A,~'NDA
None
C. r FS
t•Zotion was made by Commissioner 'larshall,
to approve the I~ay 7 minutes as corrected.
VOTE: UP7APIIi•1OUS.
seconded by Commissioner Lloyd
b. O ~m ,,
Idotion was made by Cor:missioner f•farshall, seconded by Commissioner f'7hitted
to appoint Leo F?oover to the f^Tebane Board of Adjustment.
VOTE: UPIA?^]IMOUS.
E. ~ ~l
1~..-..~3A~L~F S N F i F r (see
permanent agenda file for a copy of the complete report)
Kermit Lloyd, Tax Supervisor,. gave a report or_ the state of the pro-
perty tar, in Orange County. fie emphasized "hot spots" located outside of. the
Chapel Hill area both north and west where the commercial property is esca-
lating; also condominium conversions have caused apartment rents to escalate.
The problem with the public service companies will come in 1987 when they again
_ have a right to appeal. At that time, the assessment ratio wiJ.1 be in the 55`~
range. Lloyd outlined t~•~o possible solutions:
-- (1) to increase the tax rate by one and one half cents to bring in
the same amour_t of revenue;
(2) advance the scheduled revaluation from 1989 to 1987.
Lloyd compared the impact of the 1987 revaluation to the 1989 revaluation. To
convert to a total inhause evaluation, the cycle would need to be shortened to
either a three or four year cycle. Lloyd favors the three year cycle.
In anscrer to Chair T^Tillhoit's question Lloyd stated that all business
personal property, all personal property and all utility company property are
valued at 100 each year. Eight large apartment complexes sold in the last
trio years which has ceveloped a different capitalization rate. Everything
ragarf-q hawk rr, a aal a - vnii rannnt rln an annrai G~1 wi thn~~1- ~ sal p_
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Commissioner T.^Ihitted noted that the recent action by the Utility
company was just one of several reasons to make a chance in the eight year re-
appraisal cycle and the method used. Other reasons include:
(1) lot•~er cost by doing it inhouse;
(2) better public relations;
(3) the rate ir. which the value is increasing - eight years is too
lor.c, because of the tas: burder, from real property to personal
property is greater than it should be ir, order to be eruitable to
all, and
(4) recent change in the law allows the utility companies to coma in
the first, third and seventh years.
- Chair ti+?illhoit expressed concerns for doing the revaluation early and
requested this item be placed on the September l8, 1584 agenda for further
discussion on the potential impact and action.
F. ITE'•:S F E^ISIQtg
(see the permanent agenda file for a copy of this draft legislation)
Susan Smith, Planner, presented for consideration the proposed Agri-
- cultural Lands Preservation Program legislation for implementation of the
Orange County Farmland Preservation program which was drafted by i~ichael
- Brough. Two bills have been drafted; (J.) addition of Article 59 to Chapter 106
of the General Statutes entitled "An Act to establish policies to preserve
prime farmland and (2) amendment to Article 12 of Article 105 entitled "an act
to provide for below present use value assessment for qualifying farmland and
tax e~:emptaon for some farm improvements as an incentive for the preservation
of prime agricultural land.
Smith briefly reviewed the Orange County program and hoca each item
was covered in the two bills. The Planning Board's recommendation is as
follows:
(1) delete alternate subsection 105-277.7D(c) regarding computation
of payback following disqualification of a farm far participation
as the proposed alternate method poses inequities in the appli-
cation of the tax reduction provisions (Page 4 of Bill (:2).
(2) delete reference to size limit on non-farm lots created from a
participating farm tract in Section 105-277.7B(c). (page 2 of
ball 2)
(3) refine the reference to Section 2 G.S.-105-275 to allow a tax
exempt status far all farm structures on participating farm
tracts. (Page 6 - Bill #2)
Commissioner 47hitted noted that this model legislation is important
because it includes the principles that were set out by the farm preservation
report.
David Blaha, Triangle J COG, commented on mriangle J's involvement
with farm and protection issues. Concerns include rapid development and loss
of farmland and the need to respond. Ar. agriculture committee was formed in
July of 1982, which has eight members from Orange County who v~ere very active
on the committee. Last April a set of proposals were presented and approved by
the Council of Governments at their tray meeting. B1aha has been at tending
Board meetincs to present an overview of what the recommendations arc and to
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get a sense of support and interest amour, County Commissioners. If there is
enough support Triangle J will plan to submit recommendations to the
legislature in the long session beginning in February. He outlined the simi
laries betvreen the Orange County Program and the Triangle J's Program.
Commissioner Lloyd expressed two concerns: (1) term of district, anc,
(2) hour the critical areas are handled.
Commissioner i•7alker indicated he felt the 10-20n below use value
_ inequitable and sarong and duplicating something that is already in place.
Blaha explained the intention behind this approach is to help
... farmers who want to farm from being forced from farming because of rising
taxes, annexation, nuisance suits, assessments, etc. It gives the farmer the
incentive to reinvest and provides security.
Aob Tennant explained critical areas are those areas that talcs above
normal practices to establish it in some pezmanent vegetation or for some means
of erosion control. They produce a high amount of sediment and need to be
corrected by above normal far.:,ing practices.
T•;otion was made by Commissioner ~•Thitted, seconded by Commissioner
t~iarshall that the legislation for the proposed Agricultural Lands Preservation
Program be forwarded to the delegation with the recommended changes from the
staff on items B & C to conform with the report.
VOTE: Ayes, 3; Noes, 2 (Commissioners Lloyd and >•?alker)
(lotion was made by Commissioner Piarshall, seconded by Commissioner
Y?hitted to send a resolution to the delegation stating that Orange County does
not aisagree with the Triangle J program, that there are minor differences
between the Triangle J program and the Orange County program.
VOTE: Ayes, 3; PIoes, 2 (Commissioners Lloyd and TValker)
A an G
F:enneth Thompson, County Teenager, pointed out that the two classifi-
cation and pay recommendation. reports are being presented for consideration;
one prepared by Dr. Hayman of the institute of Government far non-merit system
positions and one study prepared by John Swift, Department of Fiuman Resources,
for merit system positions.
Beverly t~?hitehead, Director of Personnel, reviewed John Swift's
report stating essentially .no changes since the Play report.
Commissioner iiarshall noted that the Social Services Board has re-
viewed the report and understand the rationale for all changes in the
Department of Social. Services.
Dr. Hayman outlined the objectives of the pay plan and the process
followed ir. reviewing the findings and explained the system used in recording
_. the salary data. The class specifications were prepared from personal
interviews and questionnaires completed by the employees. These were each
placed in a class, then allocated to levels and comparative salary data was
secured in order to recommend salaries that would be fair and equitable and
• competitive in the labor market from where the County recruits. The introduc-
tion in the report lists some of the factors used in classifying the positions
and also the hey wards which indicate the level of knowledge and level of
experience that is required for each of the positions. The level and class
specifications were determined by:
(1) knowledge required to do the job;
(2) supervisory controls;
(3) e::tent and comple::ity of the duties and responsibilities;
(d) nor~nnal r.nnt~r.tce
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(5) personal relationships in performing the jab;
(6I physical. demands, and
(7) working conditions
Dr. Hayman noted that the pay plan was not chanced.
Chair t9illhoit noted that the state salary plan had been adopted
several years ago and questioned why we are not now or. the state system.
Hayman explained that the state system is off from where it used to
- be with a constant percent. The system is the same as the state but the County
did not hold to that percent and has longer ranges while most counties and
cities do not have longer ranges -number of steps. Hayman read the letter of
introduction included in the report and referred to Exhibit I which contains a
summary of the annual cost~of the pay plan.
t~7hitehead noted that the Housing and Community Development positions
were studied in house and not included in Hayman's report.
Commissioner I•iarshall auestioned how the salary paid to the Sheriff
and the P,egister of Deeds, set by the Board, fits in when loolcing at the
salaries in those departments as wall as in the base for other department
heads.
Hayman indicated that an annual report is available from the Insti-
tute of Government which gives salary data for elected officials and other
officials in the County. The salary paid to the Sheriff and the P.egister of
Deeds is a political decision and should be separated from the setting of the
salaries for other employees. He does not use this as a case far other
employees.
Commissioner P•larshall requested repeatedly an explanation of how the
market data was balanced with the desk audit and other data.
Commissioner Plarshall indicated that salary data is available from
other sources an the Department on Aging salaries.
EIayman noted that in determining salaries the maximum and minimum
salaries being paid in the labor market area were considered and a recommenda-
tion determined from that information. The simple average is not as
significant as locking at the job and the mobility of the people and what is
being paid in other jurisdictions. He explained the comparative salary data
chart for each position and how the information was obtained and weighted. fie
indicated that the personal interviews and questionnaires that each employee
completed were used primarily to put that position in a job classification.
The information received from other sources was used in setting the salary
levels.
Commissioner whitted questioned the spread of the comparables for the ~
Deputy Sheriff I and Deputy Sheriff II. Hayman explained Deputy Sheriff xI is
five percent higher than Deputy Sheriff I. Durham County does not have tvao
levels of Deputy Sheriff positions; Orange County uses the beputy Sheriff TI
position as a reward for seniority and leadership.
Commissioner ;Marshall questioned v~hy the Economic Development
Director is above the fiecreation Director and why the Public P7orl;s Director
would be at a lower grade since there are no comparables for two of these
positions.
Hayman indicated that the Economic Development Director's position
was a new position and not yet established as a .program. P•Iost counties are
- only getting a Public darks Director so there were no comparables.
- Commissioner :~'hitted questioned the grouping in each salary grace.
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Hayman indicated they are grouped according to the degree of
difficulty, the qualifications necessary to perform the job, what the going
salary rate is to recruit and retain and the degree of responsibility.
Commissioner Lloyd asked if salary information was used from counties
with comparable population or tax base and S~ayman indicatred that information is
available from every county but that what is being paid for positions in many
other counties is not relevant to that being paid in Orange County because of
the labor market from which Orange County must compete.
Commissioner Lloyd e;pressed concern about the number of increases
and the dollar amount of these increases.
Commissioner t•?illhait pointed out that it is more economical to pay a
salary that will retain people over a longer period of time.
There vias a consensus to put the classification and pay study on a
future agenda.
~•,,~, PARTICIPATORY PAVItdG PR0~7E~T- ,T~P~A OAKS
P•lotion was made by Commissioner Walker, seconded by Commissioner
P:arshall•to adopt the Preliminary Assessment Resolution for the Joppa Oal:s
Subdivision Participatory Paving Program project and schedule a public hearing
for September 18, 1984.
VDTE: UP1APdIR90US.
~ fi_,~?j~?~~~S,X~}~$~'_~j~A1t' I''OR THE PROPERTY OF DORO~Y C~LERETH
I•iotion was made by Commissioner t•?alker, seconded by Commissioner
- Marshall to approve the Preliminary Plar. for the property of Dorothy Culbreth
located in Chapel Hill Township on Ridgewood Road (SR 20x7).
VOTE: UNANIPIOUS.
F r v r F V'
Pdotian ~~~as made by Conmissiener Whitted, seconded by Commissioner
A?arshall to approve the Preliminary Plan for Sturbridge Village located in
Chapel Hill Township off Old Greensboro Road (SR 1005).
VOTE: UPdANIMOUS.
r, T , r
I~4otion was made by Commissioner Tr?hitted, seconded by Commissioner
P~larshall to approve the petition from P7CDOT for approval of the addition of
Homemont Avenue, Fiddle Avenue, Dixie Avenue and Old Cedar Grove Road in
Plorthern Fairview to the state-maintained Secondary Road System.
VO^_E: UNP.NIMOUS.
7. STATE GRANT
Motion was
Lloyd to adopt the
treatment worY,s and t
Document on behalf of
VOTE' : UP1Aty I!~TOUS .
FOR ?~?ASTET7ATER Tj>FATMEI~TMP WORKS
made .by Commissioner ~~7hitted, seconded by Commissioner
resolution accepting the grant offer far wastewater
~ authorize the Chair to execute the Offer and Acceptance
the County provided it is a feasible project.
~j~D.EL"- S~'~TMI - SPECIAL Ai ~F'~?.Z'bi_ F4~ TH~...~EI~E~rP- _SEbIER_ PRO7FCT
There was a consensus that a special meeting would be held nn September
13. at 7:30 in Hillsborough.
£3, P_DDITIOI4AL STATE FIIP~J.~( ~~ PI;Ey,~TAL PROGP.APY
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Plotion was made by Commissioner Lloyd, seconded by Commissioner
i•ahitted to accept additional state funding for the prenatal program in the
amount of 514,306 in continuatior_ funds and to improve the Prenatal Program as
recommended by the Board of Health.
VO`T'E : UNAT\7IP1OU5.
TY Ate E r7 ~;
- - I•iotion teas made by Conmissioner Piarshall, seconded by Chair T~7illhait
to implement the Federally required eligibility and fee scale increases in
Family Planning.
VOiE : UNAIr II,IOUS .
0 ~, AL•7A~ OF CONTRACT F0~', V!JTII.'G TiACIi2I~E5
T,otion was made by Commissioner L1alyd, seconded by Commissioner
Whitted to award a contract far the purchase of three electronic voting
machines to Airmac Technology Associates of Irvine, California for Sg,600.
VOlE: UPYA?'JIi~iOUS.
1.1 _ FORPLESTRY SERVICE AGREEf•'ET`7T RETv'EWAL
Elation was made by Commissioner i~7hitted, seconded by Commissioner
Piarshall to renew the annual agreement between Orange County and the Piorth
Carolina Department of tdatural Resources and Community Development for the
provision of support by the north Carolina Forest Service in Orange County for
$25,510.
VOTE : UTJANIPIOUS .
17__ ET~;INEERING A,REEPIET~T - COi1NCILVILLE ROAD IP4PROVEMEt'TS
Geoffrey Gleahill, County Attorney, made one change on page 78 chang-
e ing the wording from damages assessed against the construction contractor to
damages collected frorl the construction contractor.
T~Iotian ~•~as made by Commissioner Piarshall, seconded by Commissioner
Whitted to approve the contract with the above noted change and the Engineering
penalty for lateness increased from 525.00 per day to 550.00 per day.
VOTE : - UNAP?IPIOUS .
~3s~HOUSIlC}_~~APLr~~~~~91~_~~t7~RACT - COUD?CILVILL~, COP.PIUNITY
I4otion was made by Commissioner Iahitted, seconded by Commissioner
Piarshall to accord one housing rehabilitation contract for the Councilville
Commmunity Development area to Gates Construction Company for 511,784.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS.
p ~ r• R VET-IEP?T
Tlotion ~•~as made by Corm~issioner Whitted, seconded by Commissioner
Piarshall to approve submitting an application for senior citizen center funds
to the North Carolina Divisicn of Aging for additional renovation/constructior
of the Southern orange Senior Center located in the Chapel Hill tiulti,purpose
Center for 553,333 ir. funds. Discussion noted that even if the grant funds arE
not received, the bathrooms will be renovated.
VGTE: UPIANIP.OU5
15. BuD^~~T ~1T1E*?DT7E1`?TS
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llotien was made by Commissioner Lloyd, seconder by Commissioner
~~arshall to approve the following 1984-85 budget amendments:
General Fund Appropriation:
Orange County-Handicapped Accessibility S 234,500
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Science Lab 80,000
Source:
Transfers to School Capital Reserve 314,500
Project Appropriation:
Social Services-Adolescent Parenting 23,500
Source:
Social Services - .Adolescent Parenting 23,500
Adolescent Parenting Crant Appropriation:
Social Services - Energy Assistance 11,597
Source:
Social. Services - Energy Assistance 11,597
Federal Crisis Intervention Funds Appropriation:
Social Services-Children's Protective Services 2,142
5onrce:
Social Services-Children's Protective Services 2,1'2
Three month extensior, for Children's Protective
Service Grant Appropriation:
Triangle v COG Infrastructure Study 5,000
Source:
Contingency 5,000
VOTE : UNANIl~10U5.
ADJOUI?T~T•iE1`7T
ldotion was made by Commissioner ?^7hitted, seconded 'py Commissioner tiarshall
to adjourn. •
VOTE: UNANIldOUS.
Don ?•~illhoit, Chair
Beverly A. T31y~he, Clerk