HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-09-2016 1
APPROVED 9/6/2016
MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Budget Work Session
June 9, 2016
7:00 p.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in a budget work session on Thursday, June
9, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center, in Chapel Hill, N.C.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair McKee and Commissioners Mia Burroughs,
Mark Dorosin, Barry Jacobs, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT:
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy Manager Travis
Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
appropriately below)
Vice Chair Commissioner Dorosin called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Commissioner Dorosin said Chair McKee will be a little late and Commissioner Pelissier
would not be attending tonight.
Commissioner Dorosin noted the following items at the Commissioners' places:
- White sheets: Replacement pages for CIP and Budget Book
- Black binder: Information from Forest Service
- Pink sheet: Information on Launch project
- Turquoise sheets: Information from Solid Waste on mattresses
1. Discussion with County Departments within the following Functional
Leadership Teams (including Operations, Fee Schedule changes, and Capital
Projects):
Travis Myren facilitated the discussion, and made the following PowerPoint
presentation:
Budget Work Session 2
General Government
Support Services
Community Services
June 9, 2016 Budget Work Session
Southern Human Services Center
Functional Leadership Team Process
Functional Leadership Teams reviewed all budget requests
o Scored using eight criteria
➢ Supports goals of the Board of County Commissioners
➢ Supports a legal mandate
➢ Addresses life and safety concerns
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➢ Expands services to residents
➢ Reduces an existing backlog of resident needs
➢ Improves operational efficiency
➢ Budget neutral or generates additional revenue
➢ Promotes interdepartmental cooperation or collaboration
• Final scores informed County Manager recommendations
Community Services
• Animal Services
o Revenues from service charges - $3,750
o Revenue from previously adopted fee increases - $6000 for reclaim and $3,550
from microchipping
Community Services
• Animal Services Shelter staffing — $6,000 additional funding
o Seasonal funds during peak months of April to October
o Funded with new fee revenue
Community Services
• Animal Services Spay/Neuter Program - $12,600
o Maintains program due to loss of I-Care grant funds from State
o Funded with transfer from Spay/Neuter fund accumulated balance
Chair McKee and Commissioner Jacobs arrived at 7:08 p.m.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if the funds received through the Community Giving Fund
(CGF) could be used to establish an amnesty program for those that have not paid their
licensing fees.
Bob Marotto said several different options have been used regarding this issue and
noted that last year the fee was reduced for those residents that receive assistance from the
Department of Social Services (DSS).
Bob Marotto said in order to accommodate Commissioner Jacobs' suggestion, CGF
donors would have to specifically donate for this purpose.
Commissioner Jacobs said he would like the County to be proactive.
Commissioner Rich asked if Bob Marotto could explain the animal sponsor program
and how the funds are used.
Bob Marotto explained the process.
Commissioner Price said the Manager's recommendation is not to fund all of Animal
Service's requests and asked if this will affect staffing.
Bob Marotto said the request was for an additional position for seasonal overload but
the Manager was able to secure an increase in seasonal funding as opposed to a Full Time
Employee.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Community Services
• Cooperative Extension
o $15,000 for Breeze Farm to increase incubator program (operating expenses)
o $25,000 in revenue from Farm to Fork event
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o Breeze Farm Master Plan underway
o Breeze Farm incubator program has served 377 individuals over past eight
years
➢ 40 new farms have been created
• 30 farms created by individual taking PLANT classes
• 10 beginning farmers who leased land at Breeze Farm now farm
on their own land
• 24% (83) are involved in local food businesses or local food
network
Commissioner Jacobs said the public is being priced out of Farm-to-Fork, at $100 per
ticket, and asked if this is being re-considered.
Carl Matyac, County Extension Director, said he will pass this request on to the
planner.
Commissioner Price suggested increased marketing of the event.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Community Services
• Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation
o Fairview Community Watch - $5,500
➢ Hire temporary employee/intern from neighborhood
➢ Moved from outside agencies
o Family Success Alliance Summer Camp - $8,700
➢ Partnership with FSA and New Hope Elementary
➢ STEAM Camps (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics)
➢ July 11 through August 18
o Community Centers Program - $43,600
➢ Cedar Grove, Efland Cheeks, Rogers Road
➢ Provides equipment, operating expenses and temporary staffing
➢ Core hours of operation —five hours per day
➢ Supplemented with Community Groups and Volunteers
o Cedar Grove Community Center History Wall - $15,000
➢ Exhibits and displays honoring historic school and community
Commissioner Jacobs asked if local college students have been considered to assist
with the Cedar Grove Community Center History Wall.
David Stancil, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Director
(DEAPR), said Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator, is working on this, and he
has found people that actually attended this school and hopes to do some oral histories.
Commissioner Dorosin said the Jackson Center has done oral histories in the Northside
neighborhood in Chapel Hill and could be a good resource.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Community Services
• Seasonal Staffing - $69,000
o Hollow Rock Nature Park and Seven Mile Creek Preserve
o Demand measures show increase in park access and services
Community Services
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• Capital Investment Plan - FY2016-17 Recommendations
o Blackwood Farm Park - $1.26 million
➢ New access road and entrance
➢ Phase 1 of multi-year park development
o Cedar Grove Park— Phase II - $60,000
➢ Basketball court resurfacing
o Conservation Easements - $500,000
➢ $250,000 County funds
➢ Proposed Amendment—Add$250,000 in County funds for conservation
easements in CIP
o Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) Segment 11-D - $521,000
➢ Occoneechee Mountain to Seven Mile Creek
➢ Public meetings during summer of 2016
Commissioner Price asked if this MST funding would be used for acquisition of
property.
David Stancil said this is the low hanging fruit portion of the MST and will be used for
trail easements, construction and other miscellaneous items. He said easements will probably
be purchased in some areas.
Chair McKee said it was his understanding that a lot of this work was done by
volunteers.
David Stancil said the funding is based on the assumption that there will be trailheads,
boardwalks, etc., for which the County pays. He said typically volunteers build the actual trail
portion.
Commissioner Price asked if other municipalities/counties have put forth funds to
purchase land for the trail.
David Stancil said yes.
Chair McKee asked if the mileage on this segment of the trail is known.
David Stancil said approximately five miles but he will check.
Chair McKee asked if it can be assumed that the trail will cost $100,000 per mile in
Orange County.
David Stancil said there is an average per mile easement cost for planning purposes.
He said at least 21 trail easements are expected.
Commissioner Rich referred to page 21 in the budget book and said the Manager's
capital outlay recommendation was $100,000 less than the DEAPR request.
David Stancil said these funds were for equipment and the portion that has been
funded is for community centers.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Community Services
• Capital Investment Plan — FY2016-17 Recommendations
o Hollow Rock Nature Park - $235,000
➢ Relocation of Hollow Rock Store — late 2016
➢ ADA loop trail, restrooms, wildlife viewing deck, boardwalk
Commissioner Jacobs said at the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) yesterday,
Durham County Commissioner Ellen Reckow asked staff to pursue closing a portion of the
road that had served as a shortcut to through traffic. He said the Department of
Transportation (DOT) installed a light to allow neighborhood traffic to have access to Erwin
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Road, via Pickett Road. He said the Master Plan originally called for this road to close, as it
makes it easier and safer to walk through the park, but neighbors had been against this. He
said it is possible that neighbors will be more amenable to the idea, now that there is a light to
allow access to Erwin Road. He said staff is looking into this matter, and should have a
decision by the fall.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
o River Park— Phase II - $50,000
➢ Stormwater controls, entry sign from new Churton St. bus turnout
o Little River Park— Phase II - $100,000
➢ Repave original entry road
o Fairview Park Access and Parking - $325,000
➢ New entry and parking lot
➢ Bid award scheduled June 21
➢ Construction scheduled for summer/fall of 2016
Commissioner Rich asked if there was funding left over from last year's budget for this
project.
David Stancil said yes.
Commissioner Rich asked if state parks and recreation funds have been received for
the MST, or any other parks.
David Stancil said he has not received anything official yet, but he does expect some
funding from the State.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is periodic contact with the resident who has a lot
of junk cars at the entrance to the park.
David Stancil said he is not aware of any conversations.
Jeff Thompson said contact was made about a year ago and will continue to touch
base with him.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
o $35,000 for Efland Cheeks Community Center for the design of expansion of
the facility.
o $195,000 parks and recreation facility renovations, repairs, and safety
improvements.
David Stancil said there is a plan to meet with the Efland Cheeks neighborhood to
discuss the Center's needs.
Travis Myren said a request was received yesterday from the Town of Chapel Hill about
a joint project on a Morgan Creek Bridge. He said staff will research this and bring back an
amendment, if necessary, at a future meeting before the break. He said it is expected to cost
share in this project with the Town using some bond funds.
Commissioner Jacobs congratulated DEAPR on the near completion of the Historic
Resources Inventory project, which has been in the works for over 25 years. He said Carrboro
did a history project in the 1980s and he asked if including this project has been considered.
David Stancil said Peter Sandbeck has reached out to all the municipalities but is
unsure if Carrboro has been approached on this project specifically. He said he would follow
up.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
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Community Services
• Economic Development—Article 46 Sales Tax
o $3,007,726 Total Recommended FY2016-17
o Divided between Education and Economic Development
o Education amount divided between the Districts by average daily membership
proportions (ADM)
Community Services
• Economic Development—Article 46 Sales Tax- graph
Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a reason why the Agricultural Summit cost
$7,500.
Steve Brantley, Director of Economic Development, said the primary costs are for
marketing, keeping the event free of a fee, the higher quality (local) luncheon, table and chair
rentals, etc.
In reference to the Orange Connect Scholarship Program, discussion ensued about
what if someone besides an Orange County Schools or Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
student wanted to attend Durham Tech, such as a Commissioner or an adult learner.
Commissioner Price said this question was discussed at the Durham Tech Board
meeting. She said the program is a pilot and would stay as it is for this year, with other options
possibly becoming available in the future since the funding comes from Orange County
government. She said she reminded the Durham Tech Board that the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) makes the final decision regarding County funding.
Commissioner Dorosin said he would be interested in opening the scholarship to
anyone.
Commissioner Jacobs said this is a program Orange County is establishing that
benefits Durham Tech, and suggested Dr. Ingram be invited to come back for further
discussion on this issue.
Steve Brantley said young people without work experience have great difficulty in
gaining employment. He said connecting high school students in the Career and Technical
Education (CTE) program with local industry, via training programs such as Durham Tech, is a
positive path to employment.
Commissioner Jacobs said to leave this issue for now and ask Durham Tech to track
who is requesting this funding.
Chair McKee said this may need a broader discussion with Durham Tech in the fall.
Commissioner Price said Durham Tech in Durham already has a similar program, which
allows high school students to go to college at no charge right out of high school. She said it
was her understanding that Orange County wanted to do the same, with this year being the
first crack at such a program.
Commissioner Price said the Durham Tech Board wanted to put parameters around
this program, and she told them no, as any such parameters would have to come to the Board
of County Commissioners for a final decision. She said this first year is to try and encourage
the students to go to college, and possibly later other options could be considered for this
program.
Commissioner Dorosin said since the BOCC set up the scholarship program, then
Orange County can set the parameters.
Commissioner Price said it is currently set up to model what the Durham Tech in
Durham is doing for the year-long pilot project, unless the Board of County Commissioners
wanted to do something different.
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Commissioner Dorosin asked if it would be possible to give to others besides high
school students.
Commissioner Price said the Board of County Commissioners can do that.
Commissioner Dorosin said as of now the program will model the Durham program and
he would rather have the BOCC make a clear plan as to how it wants the scholarship program
to run. He said he is not comfortable leaving it as it is, even now, and would like to have this
discussion and a decision made, before the summer break. He would like to see the high
school graduation requirement removed.
Bonnie Hammersley said her recommendation was based on the Durham model due to
timing and it being a pilot program. She said staff can bring back to the Board of County
Commissioners the criteria that were used, which the Board can tweak as needed.
Commissioner Jacobs said he agreed with Commissioner Price that it is an Orange
County program funded by Orange County, and the BOCC can decide that which is best.
Commissioner Price said there may be some changes that are needed, but she does
not want to lose a year of the program. She said changes can always be made in the future
as well.
Bonnie Hammersley said she would follow up promptly.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Community Services
Economic Development—Article 46 Sales Tax
o Reallocation of Prior Year Balance - $765,600
➢ Education amount ($382,800) reallocated 12/15/15
➢ Economic Development Recommendation
• SWOT Analysis - $75,000
• Incentives - $307,800
o Proposed Amendment— Launch Expansion - $33,500
➢ Request received after budget was introduced
➢ Double space for incubator program
➢ Three party agreement— County, Chapel Hill, UNC
➢ Up to three year agreement
➢ Reallocate from FY2016-17 incentive recommendation
Commissioner Rich said it would be good to consider having some incubator space on
the Greene Tract.
Commissioner Jacobs said he would like to see some flex space there as well.
Commissioner Jacobs said the BOCC had received a $15,000 outside agency request
for a staff person for the Hillsborough Arts Council. He said it was his understanding that the
arts were going to be more closely coordinated through the Arts Commission, which will have a
new employee. He said he wants to insure that there are not multiple agencies doing parallel
work.
Steve Brantley said this Orange County position would be the same as the similar staff
person who just retired, and it is hoped that this position will collaborate with the Hillsborough
Arts Council and other arts organizations. He said this County employee would report to him,
but be funded through the Visitor's Bureau.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if the selection committee for this new position would
include outside arts people and internal staff.
Steve Brantley said it is currently himself and the Chair of the Arts Commission that
would be involved with the interviews.
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Bonnie Hammersley said it is desired that the Arts Commission will participate in this
interview process. She said she interviewed the entire Arts Commission Advisory Board prior
to the position becoming vacant. She said it is hoped that the new employee will work to unite
the arts community.
Commissioner Rich said she does not want to duplicate what Hillsborough is doing with
this position. She said she does not want to give too much funding to Hillsborough, when the
County is seeking to bring on someone who will focus on promoting the arts across the
County.
Commissioner Price said the Hillsborough Arts Council is seeking to provide on going
support to an existing part-time staff position. She said there are similarities, but the
Hillsborough Arts Council and County positions are not the same.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Community Services
• Orange Public Transportation
o Create Department of Public Transportation
o Report to the County Manager
o Department Director effective 1/1/17 - $33,131
o Three additional buses - $31,678
➢ 10-20% County share
o Fare boxes - $68,000
➢ Prepaid fare cards
➢ Bus passes
Orange Public Transportation: Bus Service
Commissioner Jacobs asked if this is simply a functional unit of
Planning/Transportation.
Bonnie Hammersley said this department will work in collaboration with other
departments, community agencies, Chapel Hill Transit and Triangle Transit, but also with
County Planning and Transportation. She said the goal is to look at the unmet needs of the
human services portion of transportation, and the core function of this department is transit.
Commissioner Jacobs said this is an improvement, and he said he hoped the Manager
would monitor whether this department head feels they have any clout.
Bonnie Hammersley said this position is to supplement the mechanics that are already
in place.
Craig Benedict, Planning and Inspections Director, resumed the presentation:
Community Services
• Planning and Inspections
o New Division Structure
o Decrease in consulting services — completion of School Impact Fee study -
$20,800
o Code Compliance Officer - $84,300
➢ Includes $26,100 in startup costs
o Position funded with Permit and Inspection Fee Revenue - $138,152
Permit Fee Revenue- Graph
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Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Community Services
• Planning and Inspections - Capital Investment Plan
o Water/Sewer— Eno EDD smaller scope - $120,000 design
Community Services
• Solid Waste Operations
o Solid Waste Financial Consultant
➢ Review Expenditures/Revenues
➢ Review Program/Services Effectiveness
➢ Evaluate Other Regional Annual Fee Structures/Rates
➢ Develop 5-Year Financial Plan
➢ Recommend Enterprise Fund Fee Schedule
➢ Consider Other Revenue Options
➢ Propose Enterprise Fund Reserve Allocations
o Maintain $107 Solid Waste Programs Fee for FY2016-17
o Utilize Enterprise Fund Reserves to Temporarily Fund Budget Gap
o Submit Consultant Recommendations to SWAG and BOCC for consideration
o General Fund contribution to Sanitation increases by $286,701 to maintain
standard contribution amount of 65% net division expenses
Community Services
• Solid Waste — Mobile Home Fee Collection Options
o Solid Waste Program Fee charged to real property owners
o Mobile home park owners charged for each lot occupied by a mobile home
➢ Other multifamily buildings charged by # of units
➢ Commercial property assessed by # of store fronts
➢ Condominiums billed to owner of the unit
o Alternatives
➢ Maintain status quo
➢ Shift fee to mobile home owners instead of land owner
• Current personal property tax paid on a MH shows a median bill
of$20.02
• Budget impact - $40,000 revenue reduction
o Reduce the rate charged to mobile home park owners
➢ Solid Waste consultant has seen models using 75% to 80% of total fee
due to less waste generated
➢ Budget impact - $30,000 revenue reduction
o Shift a reduced fee to mobile home owners
➢ Budget impact - $57,000 revenue reduction
Commissioner Dorosin said it would be useful to know what is currently happening in
mobile home parks, between the landowner and the tenant. He said in his experience tenants
have incurred additional fees, such as for trash, which may be higher than that which the
County would charge. He said he would like to do what is most equitable for the residents, but
would need more information.
Chair McKee said he brought this topic up because a mobile park owner contacted him
regarding trash bins, for which he was charged but never received. He said it is likely that a
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tenant's rent is going to increase in a greater amount than additional fees that may be charged
to the park owner. He said billing a tenant directly may be the better option.
Commissioner Price said even if the County reduced the fees, there is no guarantee
that the mobile park owner would reduce the rents.
Chair McKee said there are no guarantees, but the County could exempt residents by
income.
Bonnie Hammersley said staff would bring this information to the Board.
Gayle Wilson said the solid waste fee is for a variety of services, and not all residents
use all of the services.
Chair McKee said if a resident is paying the fee, then the resident should have an
option of roll carts in a mobile home park.
Gayle Wilson said his department would work with park owners to resolve these issues.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Community Services
• Solid Waste — Mattress Disposal/Recycling Options
o Average of 187 Mattresses and Box Springs processed per month through
Eubanks Road facility over approximately three years
o 61% of materials were recycled
o Annual cost - $36,000
o Annual Revenue - $23,000
o No other County collection sites; Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Mebane
offer curbside collection
Community Services
• Alternatives
1. Eliminate fee at Eubanks and expand to Walnut Grove Church Road
o Disposal only
➢ Annual cost - $65,400
➢ Start-up cost - $13,300
o Recycling and Disposal
➢ Annual cost - $100,300
➢ Start-up cost - $142,600
2. Collect at Waste & Recycling Centers on Rotation —Walnut Grove Church
Road, Ferguson Road, High Rock Road, and Eubanks Road
o Disposal only
➢ Annual cost - $21,150
➢ Start-up cost - $13,294
3. Provide collection in unincorporated area for a $20/unit fee
o Recycling and Disposal
➢ Annual Cost - $94,170
➢ Start-up cost - $112,180
➢ Annual costs net of revenue - $76,170
Chair McKee said he appreciated the information in the memo but this was not what he
had petitioned about. He said he was not anticipating a plan as expensive as this. He said he
had in mind a car shed, at the Eubanks and Walnut Grove Solid Waste Convenience Center
(SWCC), where residents could place used mattresses, and Solid Waste staff could pick up
and dispose of the mattresses. He said this would allow for minimum expense and effort.
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Gayle Wilson said the main reason these options were pursued are the difficulties
incurred by the size of mattresses. He said the mattresses have to be sorted by size, which
must be done by hand, as mattresses will not stack easily any other way. He said it requires a
great deal of manual labor.
Chair McKee asked if the Orange County employees at the SWCC are too busy to
assist a resident with disposing of a mattress.
Gayle Wilson said staff would be too busy on days such as a Saturday afternoon, and
a lot of these employees are retired and not physically fit to assist with bulk items.
Commissioner Price said she had concerns with alternatives 2 and 3. She said rotating
the location would lead to confusion and frustration. She said charging a fee for collection will
just lead to people placing mattresses on the side of the road.
Gayle Wilson said the disposal of mattresses is much easier than the recycling of
mattresses.
Commissioner Price said the main need is to have somewhere covered to place the
mattresses other than the side of the road.
Commissioner Dorosin said alternative number 2 gets to Chair McKee's concerns. He
suggested having a youth internship program in the Solid Waste Department and having the
youth stack and sort the mattresses.
Bonnie Hammersley suggested staff would work on other options, after this
conversation.
Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Chair McKee, and said this should be doable.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Community Services
Solid Waste — Capital Investment Plan (graph)
Community Services
• Proposed Amendments— Solid Waste
o Planning funds to begin a joint effort with Towns for a potential transfer station
or other alternative waste disposal process - $100,000 in the CIP
o Purchase 60 acres of Greene Tract owned solely by Orange County/Solid
Waste - $668,178 original purchase price plus interest
Community Services — photo
Community Services
• Sportsplex
o Revenues — 8.3% Growth
➢ Ice revenues up $100K
➢ Fitness up $50K
➢ Kidsplex growth of$35K
➢ Swim Team growth of$20K
➢ Healthy food options up $20K
o Operating expenses mostly flat, with increases primarily variable payroll costs
related to revenue growth.
o Master Swim Program — 50 participants
o Silver Sneakers Program at Seymour Center
o 6,000 members
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Community Services
Sportsplex— Capital Investment Plan (graph)
Community Services
• Non-Departmental Recommended Changes
o Parks Payment in Lieu Plan Update - $60,000
➢ DEAPR & Planning collaborative effort
➢ Payment in lieu fee/land dedication analysis for development
o Lake Orange Maintenance - $7,260
➢ Maintenance, repair, and aquatic weed control
o Forest Service Contract— decrease of$13,117
➢ Cost share of Ranger position with Durham County
General Government
• Board of County Commissioners
o No changes requested or recommended
• Board of Elections
o Decrease of$370,371 — election administration
o One election budgeted for FY2016-17, down from four in FY2015-16
o November 2016 General Election - $225,000
• County Attorney
o Additional $10,000 contingency to offset costs of litigation — court costs and
attorney fees
General Government
• County Manager
o Consulting Services - $100,000 for Development Impact Study and Double
Taxation Study
o Reflects reorganization of Risk Management and Criminal Justice Resource
Office as Divisions in Manager's Office
• Register of Deeds
o Revenue increase $160,000 in Excise Stamp fees associated with real estate
transactions
o CIP —Annual Register of Deeds Automation - $80,000
➢ 10% of revenue deposited in automation enhancement and preservation
fund by general statutes
➢ Scanning equipment - $4,300
General Government
• Tax Administration
o 1% Growth in real and personal property tax base, compared to 0.9% in FY15-
16
➢ 159.7 million in new property value
➢ $1.4 million yield
o Motor vehicle value projected to increase 6%
o Budgeted collection rate increased from 98.5% to 99%
General Government (graph)
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General Government (graph)
General Government (graph)
Commissioner Burroughs asked if Dwane Brinson, Tax Administrator, could explain how
the revaluation is designed to be revenue neutral.
Dwane Brinson said if there is the same growth in a revaluation year as there is in other
years since the previous revaluation, then the tax rate would be set to generate a similar
revenue. He said some people's taxes may go up, and some may go down, but the goal is to
maintain similar revenue. He said the changes will not be uniform.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
General Government
• Tax Administration Operations
o Remove time limited designation from Office Assistant II position
o Revaluation Project
➢ $10,010 for temporary staff
➢ $21,250 in contract services
➢ $10,000 for Board of Equalization and Review
o New Revenue
➢ $21,000 revenue from collecting new Town of Hillsborough Stormwater
fee = 3% of gross collections
o Proposed Amendments
➢ $35,000 for commercial valuation services due to staffing changes; offset
by reclassification savings
➢ $5,000 new revenue from City of Mebane Tax collection
General Government
• Non-Departmental Recommended Changes
o Bond Referendum Education Committee - $30,000
➢ Supplements $20,000 authorized when Committee was created
➢ Total budget - $50,000
o Stormwater Fees for County Facilities - $23,000
➢ New Hillsborough stormwater utility fee
Support Services
• Asset Management Services
o Duke Energy rate increase - $22,000 reduced by retro commissioning study of
Whitted Campus
o Decrease in gas, oil, diesel fuel accounts - $340,000 due to fuel cost decrease
offset by $80,000 increase in propane purchase
Commissioner Rich asked if any other buildings would be using solar panels.
Jeff Thompson, Asset Management Services Director, said the Rogers Road
Community Center is their pilot project, and other buildings are being studied.
Commissioner Rich asked if the Whitted Building was a possibility.
Jeff Thompson said yes.
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Commissioner Jacobs asked if the revenue from the sale of the methane gas from the
landfill could be pointed out in the budget.
Travis Myren said it was in the Solid Waste landfill budget, and he would get the Board
specific information about it.
Paul Laughton, Financial and Administrative Services, said this is in the solid waste
landfill division, and the revenue is budgeted at $34,500 for FY 2016-17
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Support Services
• Proposed Amendments -AMS
o Remove rental income expectation for Piedmont Food and Agricultural
Processing Center- $17,000
o Relocate two monitors at Whitted from ceiling to side carts - $9,000 in recurring
capital
o Single Occupancy Restrooms (5) - $100,000 in CIP
o Sidewalk on Cameron St. from Margaret to King St. - $24,000 in CIP
• Finance and Administrative Services
o Treasury and Investment Optimization Plan - $30,000
o Offset by $102,500 increase in investment earnings
o Budget policies for Budget Ordinance
➢ OPEB Trust
➢ Pay-as-you-go funds
➢ Sales Tax recovery on school projects
➢ Financial reporting deadlines
Commissioner Jacobs asked if staff could provide the Board with the Board of County
Commissioners' policy on leftover funds from school construction.
Chair McKee asked if the Manager could send a memo that details the financial
information that the schools are required to provide to the County, as well as any follow up
done by the County to verify those numbers.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Support Services
• Community Relations & Tourism
o New Community Relations Director— July Start Date
o Proposed Amendment- Visitors Bureau return to Economic Development
o $79,000 projected occupancy tax increase = 7%
Commissioner Price asked if this projection is accurate, considering the impact of HB2.
Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director of the Visitors Bureau, said it is difficult to
determine exactly, but there has been 5%-7% growth over the past several years. She said it
is wise to be cautious, in light of HB2.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if an Orange County newspaper program could be
defined.
Laurie Paolicelli said this is a program that is similar to Chapel Hill's Town Week, and it
has been running monthly to talk about upcoming meetings, new initiatives, etc. She said it is
run in the News of Orange, Mebane Enterprise and Chapel Hill News.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if this addresses the need of communicating with rural
residents.
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Laurie Paolicelli said addressing rural residents is critically important, and a lot of
headway should be made this this summer with the Bond Education Committee and its
outreach.
Commissioner Jacobs said occupancy taxes from Carrboro and Hillsborough are not
expected this year, and asked if some funding is received from Chapel Hill.
Laurie Paolicelli said Chapel Hill collects about $1 million and contributes $250,000.
She said Carrboro collects about $125,000, and has given money per project, but not as a
steady baseline commitment. She said Hillsborough collects $90,000 and is helping to fund
projects, but is not contributing on a consistent level. She said if the BOCC wanted to direct
the Visitors Bureau (VB) to formalize a memorandum of understanding with these two
municipalities, it would be willing to work towards that.
Commissioner Jacobs petitioned the Board of County Commissioners to direct the VB
to adopt a memorandum of understanding with Carrboro and Hillsborough, in order to direct
some of the occupancy tax revenue towards the VB.
Commissioner Rich said this topic is brought up at every VB meeting, and only blank
stares are received. She said the municipalities get a seat at the table, but do not contribute
financially.
Commissioner Jacobs asked to whom the Community Relations Director will report.
Bonnie Hammersley said to the County Manager's office.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Support Services
• Community Relations
o Digital Media and Website Coordinator - $55,800
Support Services (graph)
Support Services
• Information Technology
o Hotspot Program — $21,000
➢ 2016 Pilot Project—25 units
• Partnership with Library
• 3 week check out period
• 41 holds at Main & Cybrary
• 5 holds at Carrboro McDougal
• Pilot program evaluation underway
➢ 50 additional hotspot units proposed for FY2016-17
o Software maintenance/contractual increases - $268,000
Support Services
• Information Technology Capital Investment Plan
*New Technology Improvements
o Encryption Software — DSS & Health
o Scheduling and Mobile Data Terminals — OPT
o Mobile Computing and Vehicle Location — Sheriff's Office
o Pretrial and Drug Court Case Management Software
o KRONOS Timekeeping Improvements
o MUNIS Financial System Content Management
o Performance and Training Management Software — Human Resources
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Potential Fiber Path (map)
Commissioner Jacobs asked Jim Northup, Chief Information Officer, if the needs
identified in his department several years back have been filled.
Jim Northup said his department is fully staffed, which is making all other departments
function better and more happily.
Commissioner Price asked if it is possible to have Wi-Fi on school buses.
Jim Northup said Commissioner Jacobs raised this in the past, and, as a result, he
spoke with the schools about partnering on this, but has not received further communication
from the schools. He said his department has greatly increased the Wi-Fi footprint outside
several County buildings, including community centers.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Support Services
• Human Resources
o Student Internship Program - $27,500
➢ Funds 2,000 hours of intern time
➢ Five interns for 10 weeks each
o Employee Bus Passes - $1,500
➢ Go Triangle Passes
➢ Part of commuter benefits analysis
Commissioner Price asked if the Go Triangle passes will be available to students.
Bonnie Hammersley said as of now the passes are just for employees, but other
options will be considered moving forward.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Employee Pay and Benefits
• Employee Pay and Benefits
o Salary savings increased from 1.5% of budgeted salaries to 3.0% based on
experience - $1.5 million total
o 3% across the board increase split 7/1/16 and 1/1/17
o No in-range adjustments
o Meritorious Service Awards — recommends three levels as one time
performance bonuses
➢ $500 — proficient performance
➢ $750 — superior performance
➢ $1,000 — exceptional performance
o Compression Reduction Program - $500,000
o No changes to retirement, health, or dental premium contributions
o Living wage increase to $13.15 per hour for all County employees - $32,400
o Retiree health insurance - $151,409 increase (8%) for Medicare eligible enrolled
employees
Commissioner Jacobs asked if the BOCC could receive a chart of the meritorious
service awards since the recession.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is an update about the tuition reimbursement
program.
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Brenda Bartholomew said it is very well used and can provide exact numbers to the
BOCC.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if it is known how many employees will be affected by the
living wage increase.
Brenda Bartholomew said it would mainly affect temporary and seasonal employees.
Commissioner Dorosin referred to the compression reduction program, and asked if the
$500,000 will go to adjusting salaries to relieve compression, or is part of it going towards
studying the compression.
Brenda Bartholomew said the $500,000 will go directly go to the employees.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the breakdown of the allocation could be explained.
Brenda Bartholomew said, if the budget is adopted, there will be a 2% wage increase
applied to all employees on July 1, 2016. She said, secondly, there would be a compression
adjustment for those employees affected by compression, which is about 65% of employees,
at an average adjustment of$750. She said on January 1, 2017, there will be a 1% wage
increase applied to the post compression adjusted salary.
Commissioner Dorosin said at some point, he would like to re-consider a sliding scale
of percentage raises, in order to shift greater raises toward the lower paid employees, and
more moderate raises to the higher paid employees.
Bonnie Hammersley said Commissioner Dorosin's statement is the goal and with the
recession, percentages were moved away from. She said the difficulty arises in finding
ongoing revenue funds. She said core competencies will be looked at, so that employees
know what will be expected in order to be a superior performer. She said there will be an
implementation pilot this year, which will include employee input. She said the process of
evaluating employees will also be reviewed.
Commissioner Jacobs said years ago several of the lowest pay grades were eliminated.
Commissioner Price said it was her understanding that all employees received $500
under the meritorious increase program, due to inconsistencies from department to
department.
Commissioner Jacobs said the Board had discussed making the system functional,
which the Manager is currently working towards.
Bonnie Hammersley said the percentage is consistent across the board but sometimes
it is unclear to employees what is needed to be done in order to get these performance
awards.
Commissioner Price referred to the living wage and noted that interns are paid $14.00
per hour, which is more than the living wage that is given to employees.
Brenda Bartholomew said there are some graduate interns that get paid around $13.75
per hour.
Commissioner Dorosin said he was talking about across the board raises, and moving
away from flat percentages to graduated percentages. He said the meritorious awards are a
different program.
A motion was made by Commissioner Burroughs, seconded by Commissioner Rich to
adjourn the meeting at 10:36 p.m.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Earl McKee, Chair
Donna Baker
Clerk to the Board