HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 20070618APPROVED 9!6!2007
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION
June 18, 2007
7:30 p.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Budget Work Session on Monday,
June 18, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Link Government Services Center in Hillsborough, North
Carolina.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners
Valerie P. Foushee, Alice M. Gordon, Barry Jacobs, and Mike Nelson
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: Geof Gledhill
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Laura Blackmon, Assistant County
Managers Willie Best and Gwen Harvey, and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff
members will be identified appropriately below)
NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT
AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE.
1. Opening Comments
Chair Carey asked the Baard to consider adding to the agenda the change in date of the
Manager's evaluation from June 27th to June 28th at 5:30 p.m.
Chair Carey made reference to the petition that was dropped off to the Clerk's office.
This is a petition related to the budget process. There are over 1,300 signatures on the petition.
Chair Carey asked Laura Blackmon about the letter from the Board of Elections related
to the early voting precinct site an campus. He asked why this step was being taken by the
University to prevent this site from being used.
Laura Blackmon said that she does not have that information this evening and she will
get them the information.
Chair Carey said that the Board of County Commissioners should support the Baard of
Elections.
A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to
amend the regular meeting calendar by moving the Manager's Evaluation, originally scheduled
for Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at Link Government Services Center to Thursday,
June 28, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. at the Link Government Services Center in Hillsborough.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Chair Carey made reference to the orange handout, "Potential Modifications to Fiscal
Year 2007-08 Manager's Recommended Budget" and asked if the County Commissioners had
any comments or questions on this sheet.
Commissioner Gordon asked about #20 and the interest earnings. Laura Blackman said
that this is an increase in revenue based upon an increase in expected earnings.
Commissioner Nelson made reference to #12, "Employee Newsletter" and said that this
should be done electronically and not in print. Laura Blackman said that part of the attempt was
to reach those employees without computers. Commissioner Nelson and Commissioner
Foushee suggested posting this in the departments.
Commissioner Gordon reiterated that the Manager does not recommend these cuts.
She said that items 3, 4, and 5 seem to be less painful cuts.
Commissioner Jacobs said that he found the sheet confusing. He said that the Manager
was not even going to provide the County Commissioners with this list, and only after two
Commissioners said that they wanted the list was it distributed. He asked why some of these
savings were not automatically deducted from the recommended budget. Laura Blackman said
that she asked the departments to do a continuation budget. She does not want the
maintenance to slide and then departments get behind next year. She said that she did not
want to put departments in a position of cutting an already lean budget. She said that she got a
request from the County Commissioners at a budget work session to cut one cent from the
budget, and she would not recommend doing this.
Commissioner Jacobs said that he does not understand why the Board needed to ask
for this savings and why it would not be standard operating procedure. Laura Blackmon said
that as they go through the year, she can find savings and bring them on a regular basis. It was
a timing issue.
Chair Carey made reference to item 5, "Cable Casting Board of Commissioners'
Meetings," and asked if this was related to a contract on June 12t". He asked how the amount
of the contract would be reduced. Laura Blackmon said that the County budgeted $75,000, but
in this case, $45,000 was not budgeted for anything. There were no expenditures lined up for
spending this money. At the time the budget was put together, it was unsure what the final
contract would be. The contract came in on June 12t", and it was much less than anticipated.
Chair Carey made reference to #8, "Critical Needs Reserve," and said that there is
$270,000 remaining. He thinks that more was added last year. He said that nothing is
anticipated over the next year that might indicate that another $125,000 would have to be
added.
Commissioner Jacobs said that Club Nova and KidsCope is $130,000, if the County
funds it.
Chair Carey made reference to #10 and what impact it would have on services if the
hiring of these positions were deferred. Laura Blackmon said that EMS has had difficulty
recruiting for these positions. This would not impact current service levels, but she would
suggest that the service levels be improved.
Commissioner Nelson made reference to #14, "Energy Management," and asked what
this team had accomplished. Laura Blackmon said that this group began last year and was
charged with working on developing energy savings. There were three employees that were
given a stipend. Commissioner Nelson asked about recommendations and Laura Blackmon
said that there have been some recommendations and some improvements made. She met
with the team last week and they would like to make updated recommendations. The team has
been frustrated by a lack of funding to make some improvements. She said that there are
things with new facilities that they would like to participate in, but they already have full-time
jobs. The team meets on a regular basis.
Commissioner Jacobs said that he is supposed to be the Commissioner working with
this team and he has not heard from them since December. He was going to propose
discussing whether or not this is a functional model. Commissioner Nelson agreed.
Commissioner Nelson asked why a facilitator was needed at the School Collaboration
meetings. Commissioner Jacobs asked if this $3,500 was the full amount. The schools were
supposed to be contributing 113 each. Ken Chavious said that the schools pay for a share of
this. Donna Coffey said that this amount would include the schools' share.
Chair Carey said that this facilitator helps to navigate the group through the discussion
and through contentious issues.
Commissioner Nelson said that the County also hired a mediator to facilitate the
discussion between two departments about a water position. He said that, in his opinion, there
is an over-reliance on hiring facilitators to help solve problems that adults should be able to
solve.
Commissioner Jacobs said that the facilitator worked well with the Time Warner issue
and when they started the collaboration meetings, the schools felt that they were in the Board of
County Commissioners' turf. The facilitator was a neutral party and made the schools feel more
equal. This has seemed to work well. He said that this number is misleading.
2. Fiscal Year 2007-08 County Capital Budaet
Laura Blackmon said that doing a capital budget one year at a time is a difficult process.
She said that pay-as-you-ga availability funding is being used. When she works an the capital
budget this fall, she will be making some suggestions for different ways to budget these items.
She made reference to page 9-1 and said that the County is committed to the first three items -
Lake Michael Park (second year of three-year commitment), Orange Enterprises (final year of
three-year capital commitment}, and Solid Waste Convenience Center (repay Solid Waste Fund
for Walnut Grove Road site).
She explained items 4-14 on page 9-1 (not in priority order).
• Blackwood Farm
• County facilities arts reserve
• Equipment and Vehicle Replacements
• Flooring Replacements
• Information Technology
• 911 Center at Meadowlands
• Orange High School Tennis Court Resurfacing
• Painting (interior and exterior) of facilities
• Seymour Center Furnishings
• Waterproofing and Drainage
• Planning Upfit of County Space to Accommodate Departmental Relocations
Commissioner Foushee asked about the County's portion of the Greene Tract purchase
She said that she is supportive of this but affordable housing is her issue. The County should
be a leader in purchasing those 18 acres for affordable housing.
Laura Blackmon said that staff has begun discussing this with staffs from Chapel Hill and
Carrboro. She said that this fall when the CIP is done, the County Commissioners will see the
proposed three years in which the county's share could be funded.
Ken Chavious said that he has done the calculations based on starting payments in
2007. He will bring this information back. He said that he could not find anywhere a written
agreement that says that the County will pay 43%, Chapel Hill will pay 43°l0, and Carrboro will
pay 14%.
Commissioner Gordon asked whether the percentages were in the interlocal agreement.
Ken Chavious said that there is mention of it, but the percentages are not there. Commissioner
Gordon said to ask Geof Gledhill about this.
Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Foushee and said that the County
should take the lead. He said that he looked at the minutes from the Assembly of Governments
meeting from a year ago, and this was discussed. Chapel Hill wanted to have aten-year
payback. There was discussion about afive-year, seven-year, and ten-year payback. The
percentages were mentioned. He said that the group that Chair Carey served on decided on
the percentages.
Chair Carey said that these percentages were discussed.
Commissioner Jacobs said that, since no one is paying anything right now, the County
could decide to pay on the 43°~ of the big tract, but the other governments need to be on board
and pay for those 80 acres.
Laura Blackmon made reference to the AOG minutes and said that it is $931,079 for the
County's payback for both tracts.
Chair Carey agreed about getting started on the 80 acres.
Commissioner Jacobs suggested, to avoid old discussions, the County should complete
the conservation easement issue for the 60 acres. He thinks that the other governments'
interest is that it is protected as open space.
Chair Carey said that, even if the County Commissioners decide to set aside some
funds, the towns have already adopted their budgets and this can be brought to them next
budget year.
Commissioner Gordan said to separate the 104 acres from the 60 acres and not make
promises right now.
Commissioner Gordon made reference to #14 on page 9-1, Planning Upfit of County
Space, and said that the County Commissioners need to talk about this before they start
planning for it. Laura Blackmon said that this is just far the Link Government Services Center
when the Gateway Building opens in March 2008. Commissioner Gordon would like to talk
mare about the big picture before deciding an funding the upfit or pending other items.
Commissioner Gordon said that there are other things that are left over, like the
Carrboro Library, planning for Twin Creeks, etc., and her suggestion is that there is no urgency
to decide on this now. She thinks that the ten-year CIP should be done in the fall.
Laura Blackmon said the first three commitments have to be budgeted. She is also
recommending setting aside funding for the remaining items on page 9-1.
Commissioner Gordon said that she was surprised to see this and there are no
justifications with this list. She knows that there are other projects.
Laura Blackman said that in the fall, they would start with the ten-year CIP from FY
2008-09.
Commissioner Gordon said that she knows that there is interest in the Carrboro Library
and Twin Creeks. Laura Blackman said that with Twin Creeks, there is money budgeted for the
beginning phase of this. Most of the expenditures will be three or four years out.
Laura Blackmon said that she thought that there was consensus that funding far the
Greene Tract would wait until 2008-09. She said that some of #14 could be deferred, but the
)anger projects are deferred, the more expensive it will became.
Commissioner Gordon said that there is no backup material for this list and she does not
see an urgency to decide.
Commissioner Jacobs said that even though there is not aten-year CIP, it is not as if
there has never been one. He said that for next fiscal year, the Library Services Task Force is
talking about interoperability between the two library systems, and there are costs associated
with mediation to help with the communication between the two systems. He said that the
County funds one library system and gives the other one about $250,000. He suggested
checking with the Library Director.
Commissioner Jacobs said that there was a discussion about vehicles under state
contract and if these could be bought from Orange County vendors, but staff had reasons why it
was not feasible. He said that he would like to shop Orange if passible.
Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to see a paragraph explaining each of
these capital items.
Laura Blackmon asked if there were other items the County Commissioners wanted to
fund far next year and lank at casts.
Commissioner Gardon said that before she commits $100,000 to planning, she would
like to see the detail an what is going to be planned. She said that the Board has not received
the report from the Chapel Hill/Carrboro/ Hillsborough) Orange County library group, and she
thought this group was to report back by this time. Commissioner Nelson said that the timeline
has been pushed back.
Commissioner Gordon said that she wanted information on the interoperability of the
libraries if that is ready.
Commissioner Jacobs made reference to Information Technology Capital Project
{Appendix A-4} and said that he would like to move #20 up in the priorities, which is LaserFiche
for the Clerk to the Board.
Donna Coffey said that this was worked on late in the process and that is why it fell to
the bottom.
Laura Blackmon said that there is some funding for this already, and this item is
additional funding.
Commissioner Jacobs said that this was asked for last budget year and he does not
understand why it would be a late request.
Donna Coffey said that it was late in coming into play for how much was needed this
year. Laura Blackmon said that it can be reallocated.
The Board agreed to move this item up on the priority list.
3. Health Department Programs
Health Director Rosemary Summers said these three programs are currently in
existence and have need for supplemental County funding. This information is on page H-9
through H-11 in the budget document.
• Public Health Reserve Corps Program
This was athree-year grant project that was received in 2003. The grant ended
September 30, 2006, and there has been same unexpended grant funds that enabled the grant
to be carried for a partial year. Last year the department collaborated with Emergency Services
to take an the development of the CERT program. Sa bath public health preparedness
volunteer programs have been combined to have one person coordinating and managing them
both. There are no more grant funds available. Emergency Services has agreed to allocate
$10,000 from its Emergency Management Performance Grant from the State.
There are 199 volunteers in the Medical Reserve Corps, and 123 of them are nurses.
The CERT program has three active community groups. The most active community is
Cornwallis Hills. The teams would be used to do rapid assessments in the case of an
emergency.
The Health Department needs additional general fund support this coming fiscal year in
the amount of $17,075 to support this one position. In the following year, the $10,000 grant will
not be available, so this would be an additional amount in 2008-09.
• Families In Focus Program
Rosemary Summers said that this program was started in 1998 and it is a child abuse
prevention program. In 2003, the State reduced the grant funding for this project. The original
project had 3.5 positions, and one position was taken out. There is now one full-time nurse,
one full-time social worker, and ahalf-time office assistant. This has been a very successful
project and it has a nationally recognized model with Healthy Families USA.
Over time, the allowable Medicaid billable units of service have been reduced. In this
program, the services offered to families exceed the billable units, so the Health Department
cannot recover all of the costs of the services provided. In the past, there has been a shift from
the County general fund to cover the amount of funds that have not been earned in this
program. This year, the Manager wanted these programs that had a general shift in County
funding to have a decision one way or another from County Commissioners before committing
to the general fund shift. This program would require another $26,653 in County funding to
maintain the entire program.
• Primary Care Program
Rosemary Summers said that the Primary Care Program was started in Hillsborough in
January 2005. This was done with County support from the general fund as well as from a
State grant that is renewable for three years, and then after that on a competitive basis. This
program in Hillsborough has been very successful. The strategic plan also has expansion to the
Southern Human Services Site slated for last year. Primary care was started at Southern
Human Services Center in January 2007. This was offered through an increase in staff filling
temporary positions. It is very hard to keep health care staff in temporary positions. The grant
was for the first six months, and she applied far another grant, and just last week she received
notice that the County will be awarded both grants for next year -bath for Southern and
Whiffed.
She said that the Whitted primary care program is not under discussion tonight because
that is part of the regular budget. This item is about the increase in services at Southern Human
Services Center. She said that the Health Department is asking for an additional $102,487 in
County funds to support ahalf-time Nurse Practitioner, ahalf-time Lab Tech, a nurse, and a
nursing assistant. She believes they will have 201 patients next year, and this is about $510 per
patient. This program is earning about $89,188.
Commissioner Gordan asked how tang the grants last and Rosemary Summers said that
the County would have to apply annually, and it is non-competitive for three years. After three
years, it is competitive.
None of these three programs are in the current budget
Recreation and Parks Programs
• After School Care Program
• Summer Camp Program
Laura Blackmon said that there were two programs that have been in the budget for the
last few years and have been considered as discontinuing. One was the After School Care
Program ($19,000) and the Summer Camp Program ($5,000). The summer camp program has
already been started for this year, but it could be discontinued for next year. These two
programs are not in the budget for next year.
Recreation and Parks Director Lori Taft said that the entire summer camp budget splits
the fiscal years. It is almost a $40,000 program, and most of it is for temporary wages. She
said that this amount is in the current budget with matching revenue. The revenue projection for
next year is $40,000 with expenditures at $39,500. There are other factors to consider such as
full-time staff time, etc. This camp serves about 100 children per week. She said that it is a
program that is not run far-profit.
Commissioner Faushee asked if there were scholarships available for families who could
not pay far after-school at the elementary schools. Lori Taft said that there are some
scholarships, but she does not know the percentages, etc.
Commissioner Jacobs requested all of this information in writing by Thursday, especially
for the summer camp program. He would like to know the exact indirect costs. He said that this
is like the fitness program for the senior center. He wonders at what point the government
should be competing with private business to provide programs. He questions whether this is
what Orange County should be doing. He understands providing subsidies, but he would like to
discuss this. He said that Orange County keeps adding programs, but at the same time saying
it would like to support small business.
Chair Carey agreed with Commissioner Jacobs. He said that before he cuts out a camp,
he wants to make sure that the needs of the children who cannot afford this are being met.
Commissioner Nelson said that he would like to have examples of who else is providing
summer camps.
4. Non-Profit Agencies including reauests for additional funding from KidsCope
and Club Nova
Laura Blackmon said that this is a list of all non-profit agencies, including the additional
funding requests.
Chair Carey said that he sent a letter to one of the agencies letting them know that the
Board would refer the request to the Manager for a recommendation, specifically on the interim
funding request.
Laura Blackmon said that the KidsCope was an agenda item. This was Appendix F-3
(orange).
Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey said that this program is funded under the
Chapel Hill Training Outreach Project. There was a request for emergency funding related to
this fiscal year and being able to meet the Triangle objectives in the midst of continuing financial
instability as a part of mental health reform. The total amount was $200,000. Concurrent with
that was an appeal to OPC as the Local Management Entity. OPC was successful in its appeal
to the State, and an award was made of $150,000. This left the KidsCope program with a
$50,000 deficit. This was the request made to the Board on June 12th. The decision was made
to postpone consideration of this as a separate item, pending review and discussion of the non-
profits at this meeting. Traditionally, KidsCope has been a part of the outside agency funding in
a separate category for supplemental appropriation.
KidsCope is also listed on Appendix F-4, Non-Departmental Funding. KidsCope has
requested $221,000 in addition to the $50,000 of emergency funding. The Manager
recommends maintaining the $89,000 that was given last year, in addition to the $50,000.
Executive Director of the Chapel Hill Training Outreach Project Mike Mothers said that
they were delighted to take over this program in October 2005. He thanked Judy Truitt and
OPC for giving them the opportunity and he thanked the County Commissioners far support of
this program. He said that the Board of County Commissioners gave an additional $90,000 last
year in transition funds for operating the first nine-month period. The State also gave $75,000 in
transition funds that helped to offset the losses incurred in the first nine months. He said that,
due to the changes in the mental health system, they have been continuing these losses right
along. This is probably the only program like it in the State, and the board is very committed to
it, and they were willing to continue to go out on a limb in the hope that the State would be able
to assist in the long run. The program serves over 200 children per year in Orange County. He
said that the organization is operating on a budget that is not realistic revenue-wise, and the
compensation packages are being redesigned to bring them in line with billable hours. He said
that if this is going to go forward in the future, then the County's help is needed. The OCS has
asked for rent for the Nash Street office. The rent is $2,000 a month plus $600 a month for
utilities, which is $32,000 a year. Of the increase from $89,000, the $32,000 is for that purpose.
Another purpose for the increase is to help offset transportation costs. The largest part of the
increase is to cover costs that are not covered by Medicaid.
Linda Foxworth said that there have been several reorganizations and reforms in the
birth-5 population in the last three years. The $45,000 mentioned by Mike Mothers covers those
activities that were previously covered by Medicaid and are no longer covered by it. Travel is no
longer reimbursable, and there is an outreach program. She said that this is more of a cost-of-
living increase for the program, which has received the same amount of money for the last ten
years.
Commissioner Gordon said that this shows what has happened as the State has not
funded the costs of these services and has passed it to the local level.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if funds were received from Chatham County and Linda
Faxworth said that the Chatham County Board of Commissioners provided funds for the
developmental day and gave a lot of money through United Way.
Regarding Club Nova (Appendix F-2), Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey said that
$80,000 was provided from the Critical Needs Reserve to further assist Club Nova in its
divestiture from OPC. This past fiscal year, there was a request for supplemental funding
related to Medicaid reimbursement. Club Nova, Inc., as the non-profit, did not make an outside
agency request. The assumption was that the Board had factored in the supplemental request
from Club Nova as part of the maintenance of effort that is provided to OPC. She does not think
that this is the case. She believes that there was a miscommunication of the process to be
pursued for any kind of supplemental funding, which is what this represents. This is why Karen
Dunn came before the Board of County Commissioners at the budget public hearing.
Karen Dunn said that last year, when Club Nava was divesting, the County allocated
$66,663 in transition funding, and then it came back and requested an additional $75,000. Club
Nava has issues similar to KidsCape, in that they continue to go through massive changes from
the State level.
Cammissianer Jacobs said that last year there was an issue about Medicaid
reimbursement for case management and Karen Dunn said that Club Nova has never been paid
the rate for providing case management.
Commissioner Nelson asked if there would be the same kind of shortfall next year and
Karen Dunn said that the rate increase will help. The rate has gone from $9.36 an hour to
$11.60 an hour for PSR (Psychosocial Rehabilitation). For the long term, she hopes that they
can rely mare on the private sector.
Commissioner Nelson said that what the State has done to Club Nova is disgusting. He
worries about getting these requests every year and how the County can fill in where the State
has screwed up. He wants to find the $70,000, but it worries him.
Chair Carey asked Linda Foxworth to come back in. He said that these are both
vulnerable populations. He asked if this was a bailout of the State and if this is a trend. Linda
Foxworth said that as long as the Division of Mental Health does not pull any more tricks, the
programs should be fine. She said that she is not going depend on Medicaid funds to do that.
She said that they should also look at grant funding.
Karen Dunn pointed out another unfunded requirement; they are now required to write a
daily note on every member who comes each day. It used to be a monthly note. This has gone
from 100 notes per month to 1,010 notes per month.
Non-Profit Organizations
This item was addressed in Appendix F-4.
Laura Blackmon said that there was an additional $14,500 to redistribute among some
non-profit agencies. The amount that the agencies received this year is the amount that she
recommends far next year. Under JOCCA, she did recommend an additional $5,000 because it
will be serving more Meals on Wheels at the Seymour Center. She also recommended an
additional $5,000 in the middle school after-school program at Gravelly Hill. The remaining
$4,500 is recommended to go to the Foad Bank of Central and Eastern NC. Hope Line, Leaf
Light, Special Olympics, and Youth Creating Change did not request any funding this year.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if any of these agencies were contacted to ask why they
did not request funding. Sharron Hinton said that Lori Taft asked Special Olympics about it, and
it was an oversight. Special Olympics will apply next year.
Commissioner Gordon asked about school nurses and if there is a list of where these
nurses are. Staff will bring this information.
Cammissianer Jacobs said that he would like someone to contact the agencies that did
not request money -Leaf Light and Haw River Festival -and see if it was an inadvertent
omission on their part.
Non-Departmental
Cammissioner Jacobs said that the Spartsplex membership discount should be reflected
in employee benefits.
Commissioner Jacobs asked why there is $0 far OWASA fees. Donna Coffey will bring
back more information on this.
Commissioner Gordan asked clarifying questions about the 96% salary budgeting
versus the $1 million. Donna Coffey said that the 96°lo took the place of the $1 million.
Cammissioner Gordon asked where the Staff Attorney shows up and Laura Blackmon
said the Manager's Office.
Cammissioner Jacobs made reference to the Blackwood and Cate Operations and said
that he would like to know about the caretakers an these properties.
Commissioner Jacobs made reference to Recruitment and said that there was a
discussion at agenda review, and he would like to ask the Board to think about having
department heads live in Orange County. Chair Carey agreed.
Commissioner Gordon asked what was left in the Critical Needs/Safety Reserve and it
was answered $270,000. Commissioner Gordon said she would like to track the total amount
proposed for this reserve far this fiscal year. Donna Coffey made reference to Appendix H-3,
which has a history of what has been unspent each year and carried forward. Laura Blackman
further clarified this fund.
Chair Carey said that the $270,000 is a carryover from the current year. The part that
will impact the tax rate this year, if it is done, is $125,000. This is the bottom line.
Laura Blackmon said that next year the Board will be reviewing some of these things
earlier than eight days before the budget is adopted. There will also be some reorganizing and
redefinition in the fall of capital items, budgeted reserve funds, and rollover funds.
5. Fire Districts
This item is addressed on page 6-1. Laura Blackman said that the Damascus Fire
District has asked for an increase from $160,000 to $185,000 for next year. The other two
increases are for South Orange Fire District (.3 cents) and White Cross Fire District (.8 cents).
Commissioner Jacobs said that this is assuming that the study that the School of
Government is doing will cost no money and that there will be no budget implications. He said
that this is a dysfunctional part of the budget process. He said that the Board needs the study
before it can review this in an intelligent way. Laura Blackmon said that it is her fault that this is
not budgeted. She will come up with a number.
Commissioner Jacobs asked about any requests from the rescue squad and Laura
Blackmon said that it made a request for $60,000 for this year.
Donna Coffey said that the County received a letter earlier in the year that the rescue
squad would be submitting a request, but there has been no request. Commissioner Jacobs
said to acknowledge the rescue squad as a courtesy.
6. Further Discussion of Potential Budget Modifications
Cammissioner Jacobs made reference to the positions that were requested but not
funded and said that there was considerable work done to set up a framework to do one-stop
permitting. He asked if the Permit Systems Specialist was part of this. Laura Blackmon said
that this was support for the Permits Plus system.
Planning Director Craig Benedict said that Permits Plus would be part of the central
permitting system, which was suggested to be paid for by a technology fee. The Permits
Systems Specialist would augment the present permitting system to help in the central
permitting goal.
Commissioner Jacobs said that this was supposed to coordinate with environmental
health and was supposed to be a one-stop for an applicant sa that they did not get bounced
from department to department. He said that he needs more clarity on this and whether it is
included in this budget.
Commissioner Jacobs made reference to budgeting lottery proceeds in arrears and said
that he and Chair Carey met with the Chair and Vice-Chair of OCS and they asked if the County
would consider splitting the lottery proceeds and budgeting part of it for this fiscal year and part
of it for next fiscal year in arrears. He asked for an analysis of doing this. Commissioner
Gordon agreed.
Commissioner Jacobs made reference to Appendix G-5, page three, salary savings
hiring delay budget compared to actual year-end savings. He said that he spoke to Donna
Coffey prior to the meeting and it shows a difference of $575,000, of which some would be
committed to temporary and overtime. He asked the staff for an actual number of what will be
saved that is not budgeted for overtime or temporary out of that $575,000.
Ken Chavious said that the current savings are part of his fund balance calculation. The
projection of the fund balance is 10%.
Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the fees and asked if the Recreation and
Parks Advisory Board and the Board of Health looked at the fees. It was answered that the
Board of Health did look at the fees. Staff will find out about the RPAC.
Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the penalties for non-licensing of animals and
said that this is a huge financial disincentive for people to not vaccinate their animals because
this is how the animals came on the County's radar. Laura Blackmon said that this is the
reason Bob Marotto gave for funding those low-cost rabies shot programs. There was
consideration of an amnesty or a delay in charging the licensing fee to get people to bring their
animals far shots.
Commissioner Jacobs said that he proposed the amnesty, and Bob Marotto said that
they would not do this. He said that he is concerned that if the County has a large penalty, then
there should be a transition period so that people will not be penalized for doing what should be
done. He does not think that this is clear.
Laura Blackmon suggested doing a timeline to focus on education and tie it in to the
vaccination clinics, and then a time period for licensing.
Commissioner Gordon asked for a list of lapsed salaries and what they are by
department. She would also like the Water Resources position description.
7. Adjourn
A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to
adjourn the meeting to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 21St at Southern Human Services Center.
Moses Carey, Jr., Chair
Donna S. Baker, CMC
Clerk to the Board