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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19960617APPROVED 1114196 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JUNE 17, 1996 BUDGET WORK SESSION The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a budget work session on Monday, June 17, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. at the Homestead Community Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners William L. Crowther, Alice M. Gordon, Stephen H. Halkiotis and Don Willhoit. COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager Rod Visser and Albert Kittrell and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. 1. JAILICOURTHOUSE FINANCING Purchasing Director Pam Jones presented for the Board's consideration the awarding of the bid for the construction of the Jail/Courthouse project to ABI Companies, Inc., Orlando Florida. ABI was the single prime bid and the apparent low bidder at $3,803,977. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to award a bid to ABI Companies, Inc., Orlando Florida and approve a contract, contingent upon attorney and staff review for the jail/courthouse construction in the amount of $3,803,977, to authorize the Manager to approve change orders incidental to the completion of the project; and authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. VOTE: UNANIMOUS COMPENSATION In the Manager's recommended budget, the recommendation is for a 2.5% cost of living adjustment and maintenance of the merit plan that has been in existence for the last two years. This will cost $506,000 for the cost-of-living increase and $318,000 for the continuation of the merit plan. Commissioner Halkiotis asked for a breakdown on who is receiving merit pay. He would like to do away with the merit plan and add this amount into the cost of living. This information will be provided. NEW REQUEST FOR INFORMATION With regard to the medical plan, Commissioner Halkiotis asked to see the latest breakdown of participants and what the County achieved last year with the changes recommended by the Board. He also wants some additional information on postage and telephone costs as well as a list of those services which are contracted out. He asked for an explanation of the $300,000 for temporary personnel for the EMS service delivery plan. John Link said that health insurance contracts run through December 31. He will present information on this topic in September. With regard to telephone charges, Director of Purchasing and Central Services Pam Jones said that the County has 350 trunk lines and the cost is split among the various department according to their usage. The total for both postage and telephone is $432,000. The amount allocated for postage has increased because of Animal Control, EMS and voter registration. In response to a request from Commissioner Crowther, Budget Director Sally Kost will make a list of those outside agencies which are not connected with a specific County department. In answer to a question about providing data processing services to the Town of Carrboro, Rod Visser said that the County provides about ten to twelve thousand dollars of service a year. With regard to signs for the interstate, John Link will report back on whether or not there is any money allocated for this purpose. Economic Development Director Ted Abernathy said that the Visitors Bureau is waiting on some direction from the Board on signs. The money is in the Visitors Bureau budget. This will be discussed at the Visitors Bureau Board meeting next week. EMS - IMMEDIATE RESPONSE VEHICLES Rod Visser explained what this change in the EMS service delivery would mean and how they plan to implement this new service delivery model and focus on day to day operation cost. The EMS budget includes funds to pay for services which are now being provided by volunteers. Implementation is scheduled for October 1. They still have a lot of issues that will need to be addressed before that time. He feels they can recoup about $275,000 by charging for services rendered. OTHER COUNTY ISSUESIOUTSIDE AGENCIES Commissioner Gordon asked about increases for the library stating that the only increase was for the Orange County Library. John Link stated that there are no increases for the libraries or for recreation and parks because there are still policy issues that need to be addressed. Two years ago at an Assembly of Governments meeting there was agreement that the towns and county need to work together on these two issues. He distributed information about County use of the Chapel Hill Library noting that only about 3% of County citizens use the Chapel Hill Library. Commissioner Crowther mentioned that they are working on Carrboro becoming a branch of the Orange County Library. Carrboro will contribute $6,000 to the Carrboro Library this coming fiscal year. John Link noted that the County contributed $45,000 last year for startup money and $15,000 rollover and a one time contribution of $10,000. His recommended budget allocates $45,000 with an expected $15,000 in rollover which means they will have the same level of funding they had last year. John Link noted that the citizens who live in central and northern Orange County are receiving about $3.66 for library services and those who live in southern Orange County receive about $25.00 for these services, when the tax dollars paid by Chapel Hill citizens for the Chapel Hill Library are included. Commissioner Willhoit emphasized that what the County is providing is inadequate and their budget allocation should be increased. However, the more basic question is to what extent this competition for library funds will continue. Commissioner Gordon said she feels the County should increase the allocation to the library. Commissioner Willhoit proposed that $25,000 be added to the Chapel Hill allocation. Chair Carey and Commissioner Halkiotis feels this amount is generous. Commissioner Gordon recommended an additional amount for Chapel Hill and Carrboro. A recommendation to make the Carrboro branch part of the County library system will be forthcoming. In the meantime, John Link recommends that they put $15,000 into contingency to cover the costs of transition. Chair Carey acknowledge receipt of a letter from the Historic Preservation Commission in which they have requested additional monies and a request from Project TurnAround which is operated by the Town of Chapel Hill. Commissioner Crowther mentioned a request from the Arts Commission for $12,500 to use for matching funds for a grant. He said that the Town of Hillsborough has included in their budget $25,000 to be used for the County/Town park. He asked that the County consider matching this amount. Commissioner Gordon reminded the Board that the County is providing the land for this park. Commissioner Halkiotis asked that the Board consider adding one full-time firefighter for the Orange Rural Fire District. This will be considered if a formal request is received from that Board of Trustees. Tim Ives, Chair of the Health Board, asked that the County Commissioners consider adding a half- time position to the Health Department staff. The position would allow the Child Service Coordinator additional time to work with families instead of doing a lot of clerical work associated with this position. This position would be funded from other than County funds. He emphasized that the Board of Health supports this position. John Link suggested that this addition in staff wait until they have resolved other Medicaid issues. They have tried to help the Health Dept. by realigning positions and have added some time-limited positions. Information will be provided to the County Commissioners tomorrow night on Medicaid revenues ADJOURNMENT with no further items for consideration, Chair Carey adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on June 26, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. at the OWASA Community Meeting Room in Carrboro, North Carolina. Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk