HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-08-1978 MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JU14E 8, 1978
The Orange County Board of Commissioners continued budget
hearing on Thursday, June 8, 1978, at 7:30 p.m. in the Commissioners`
Room of the Court House in Hillsborough.
Present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Jan Pinne,
Norman Walker and Norman Gustaveson. Commissioner Donald Willhoit
joined the meeting late, having attended a Health Board meeting.
Chairman Whitted stated that the Board would hear from the
Sheriff, C. D. Knight, regarding his proposed budget for 1978-1979.
Sheriff Knight stated he had asked for four additional patrolmen
to work throughout the County as patrol officers. He stated that
lots of property is being stolen and he feels he owes it to the
people of the County to provide better patrol services.
He stated that his investigation staff is overloaded. He
had requested two additional men to work as investigators to
relieve some of the work load. He also had asked for two additional
men to work in civil process. He added he asked for these two men
last year and the request was not granted. Two men working in
this area would free deputies from these responsibilities. He
stated that a great deal of his time is spent transporting mental
patients and he does not have sufficient staff to relieve officers
to attend school. Sheriff Knight stated that he had not sent any
of his officers to school this year because of lack of personnel.
[[e added that he was informed this week that 3 of his ;present force
would be leaving shortly, to seek other employment. This will brine
the vacancies on his staff to 7h positions. =.,
He spoke of problems he had encountered with the County Attorney's
office in getting needed assistance regarding civil processes. It
was pointed out that the District Attorney advises the Sheriff
regarding criminal matters, but not civil matters_
The County Attorney informed the Board that some ;problems
had existed; however, he could see no difficulty with advising the
Sheriff regarding civil matters. Such requests for counsel should
come from the Sheriff or from the Sheriff's designee.
The Sheriff spoke of the new requirements which stated that
all new officers must have 240 hours of training, effective
October 1, 1978. He stated that presently his law enforcement
officers worked 7 days and are off 2 days, they then work another
7 days and are off 2 days, and then work 7 days and are off 3 days.
[[e stated he was unable to grant to his men holidays and sometimes
vacation days are not granted. Most of his men who leave the force
leave with between 30 and 40 days of�vacation time pending.
Mr. Knight stated to go on a regular 40 hour shift would mean
additional personnel.
Commissioner Gustaveson asked what was the most crucial
personnel need in the Sheriff's office and the Sheriff responded
that two additional patrol officers could also act as deputies
when needed.
Commissioner Gustaveson suggested that the Board make a
commitment for two additional deputies, but not put the money
Into the budget, but to add these with the assumption that
all these positions would not be filled this year.
a
Discussion ensued betweunderethe Board
influence the ofSheriff
alcohol Qfrom g
the transporting persons et some agency to admit these persons•
facilities to facilities to g of these persons ties up his
The Sheriff stated that transporting � artment provides
personnel and patrol cars. The Sheriff's Dep Departments.
this service for the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Police
Chairman Whitted informed the BoardJand the Sheriff that the
from Triangle
Criminal Justice Planners providing more services to
directive to involve themselves with
area sheriff offices. He asked thdepartmeritlintmanagementl justice
and
Planners could be utilized by his
personnel planning. The Sheriff was requested to contact Dave
Ruskin of the Commission for more details.
Mr. Whitted informed the Sheriff ail County
out for bids for construction of the j
Brown bids.
Commissioner Willhoit asked the Board about the possibility of
making some changes in the space for Council on Aging at the
Grady Brown Complex. Imo•
Passmore, Director of COA, has suggested
that hat Nutrition arge conference roomdono the e1firstyfloor nbeureserved
and t m, for this program. Mr. Whitted stated
daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.
he felt this could be accomplished with a change order.
Mr. Willhoit further stated that Title V monies ield beuavailable
and that there is a possibility that this money
renovation of the Multi-Purpose Center.
Commissioner Willhoit recommended that the County Manager
investigate the possibilities of applying for these Title V Funds,
which he stated have certain commitments and must be used this year.
The County Manager stated he would talk with Mr. Passmore
on Friday.
Chairman Whitted informed the Board and the Sheriff that
the Town of Hillsborough had one CETA slot open an askd the employee as
Sheriff how responsive he wouldb tard using funded for 12
a public safety officer. The position
months.
The Sheriff stated that he would like to know something about
the person who is hired and would like to have some input into the
hiring of such an employee.
There was further discussion regarding the termination of
the CETA positions. The County Manager stated that project positions
are funded for certain periods of time and are terminated when a
project is completed, while other CETA positions are being terminated
due to a lack of funds.
The Board turned their discussion thatrmembersnto the hBoard
8-79
budget. Commissioner Gu
explain their feelings about the proposed 8 cent increased tax rate.
He stated again that he would add the Human prooposesthatrtheator
and the CETA conversions to the budget and would Fund and the Human
CETA positions be funded from the Contingency
Services Coordinator to come from various other sources. This is
with the assumption that an 8 cent tax :rate is adopted.
Commissioner Walker stated he felt 8 cents tax increase is
too much. He sion on not not
to make any decici
Chairman Whitted stated that the Board needed to decide
on two single items to be added to the budget, that each
Commissioner would not be able to add two items each. He further
stated he would like to see the Lake Orange project included in the
Northside project. That he also felt 8 cents increase is too much;
however, at this point he is unable to say how these projects can
be funded.
He stated again that he felt anyone who added items to the
budget should also indicate some mechanism for funding for those
items. Also, those members who proposed a 0 tax increase should
also indicate where the cuts should be made in the budget.
Commissioner Willhoit stated he would like to have a 0
tax increase; however, he does not see how this can be done.
He stated there are about four major cuts which could be made:
(1) The schools budget, but what the school board is saying is
that $396.00 is a maintenance budget. (2) The programs which
are not mandated such as recreation, which would save several
hundred thousand,and the green box program would save some.
(3) Scrap the Grady Brown and jail projects. He stated these
are the only areas in which he could see any significant cuts.
Chairman Whitted spoke of the building fund - inflation
factor. He stated that the 2 million dollars building fund is
for the Grady Brown and jail projects which will go out for bids
shortly. When bids are received, the Board will know the estimated
cost of the project and the monies are available to start renovation:
In the following year, the County should have net debt monies of
about $215,000 available in 1979-1980 which can be applied as an
inflation factor. He recommended that the Board follow this
proposal.
The consensus of the Board was to continue with the Grady
Brown and jail projects, and to follow the procedures as the
Chairman has recited. .-
The other items which the Chairman stated he had asked to
be flagged was municipal support. He suggested that the entire
amount be added back to this item to maintain the current level
of funding.
The Finance Officer informed the Board that municipal support
would have a carry over again this year which would bring the
program to approximately $75,000.
Mr. Whitted then asked that the flag be removed from this
item.
Neal Evans informed the Board that the Town of Carrboro has
requested that they be allowed to use their municipal support
money for staff. The Board agreed that monies should be used by
the Town of Carrboro as they saw fit.
Neal Evans, Finance Officer, informed the Board that he
had checked the ABC Audit as of the end of the calendar year and
their position is almost identical with that of last year at that
point. They have about $400,000 more dollars than in previous years.
Surplus is about $550,000 which is made up primarily of properties
and inventory. Profits have not decreased iri the past year.
There being no other business to co e b4fore the Board, the
meeting was adjourned. /
Richard Whit ed, Chairman
Agatha Johnson, Clerk