HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-14-2016 1
APPROVED 9/6/2016
MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Budget Work Session
June 14, 2016
7:00 p.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in a budget work session on Tuesday, June
14, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Building in Hillsborough, N.C.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair McKee and Commissioners Mia Burroughs,
Barry Jacobs, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Dorosin
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)
Chair McKee called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. He noted the following items at
the Commissioners' places:
- Gold sheet— amendment list
- Purple sheet— information about Cardinal Innovations Healthcare — OPC Community Office
- Green and yellow sheet— additional information
- White sheets — PowerPoint presentation for Budget Work Session 3
Chair McKee commented on the tragedy in Orlando, noting the enormity of the event.
He said such events should not occur, especially in this country. He said Commissioner
Jacobs requested a letter be sent to the Board of Commissioners of Orange County, Florida
and the City of Orlando, to express the County's condolences.
Chair McKee read the letter, saying the Clerk will forward the letter to both entities
tomorrow.
1. Discussion with County Departments within the following Functional Leadership
Teams (including Operations, Fee Schedule changes, and Capital Projects):
Travis Myren presented the following PowerPoint, and facilitated the discussion:
Budget Work Session 3
Public Safety
Human Services
Outside Agencies
June 14, 2016 Budget Work Session
Richard Whitted Meeting Facility
Functional Leadership Team Process
O Functional Leadership Teams reviewed all budget requests
• Scored using eight criteria
o Supports goals of the Board of County Commissioners
o Supports a legal mandate
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o Addresses life and safety concerns
o Expands services to residents
o Reduces an existing backlog of resident needs
o Improves operational efficiency
o Budget neutral or generates additional revenue
o Promotes interdepartmental cooperation or collaboration
O Final scores informed County Manager recommendations
Human Services
O Child Support Services
• Maintenance budget
• Collections for Orange County families of over $5.3 million
• New child support orders established for 145 families
Human Services
O Department of Social Services
• Staffing Capacity
o Conversion of four time limited positions — no new County costs
o 2.0 Management Analysts — Child Welfare and General
o 2.0 Human Service Specialists - NCFAST Program
• Living wage for in-home service providers — $286,375
o Wage rate of$13.15 based on OC Living Wage formula
o In-home services for 30 frail, elderly, and disabled adults
o Four agencies provide 34,000 service hours
Commissioner Price asked if there is a known reason for the increase in caseloads.
Janet Sparks, Child Support Director, said it is not an increase in the County's
population but rather an increase of existing residents that require services.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if any changes were expected from the legislature in the
near future.
Janet Sparks said there are always changes being considered.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
• Miles Second Family Program — $62,400 donated funds
o Serves total of 40 young people
o FY2016-17 Expansion — individualized transportation to employment for 15
youth
• Revenue Losses
o $78,000 — Child Protective Services
o $119,000 - Work First
o $20,000 —Adult Services
o Reduced costs in Work First
o County cost increase in Child Welfare and Adult Services
Commissioner Price asked if there are reasons for these revenue losses.
Janet Sparks said most losses stem from actions of the General Assembly last year.
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Commissioner Price asked if staff will be lost, as a result.
Janet Sparks said no.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
• Low Income Energy Assistance - $285,791 federal
o Reflects anticipated FY2016-17 appropriation
o Program administered by DSS staff
o 1,292 residents served in FY2015-16
• Crisis Intervention Program Revenue - $69,600 state
o Reflects anticipated FY2016-17 State appropriation
o Heating or cooling assistance
o 1,536 residents served in FY2015-16
• Subsidized employment - $59,085
o At risk, unemployed, including Food & Nutrition and Work First participants
subject to work requirements
o Since 2010, 73 total participants
• 63 participants in County government placements
• 30 participants have achieved full time employment in public and
private sector jobs
• County Daycare
o $1 million additional federal subsidy funds
o 150 children removed from waiting list
o No wait list currently
o Allows reduction of County funds - $300,000
• Proposed Amendments
o SOAR Worker- $20,000
• Streamline SSI/SSDI application process for people with disabilities
experiencing or at risk of homelessness
o Community Response Program - $41,000
• Loss of grant funds; notified on 6/2/16
• Child maltreatment intervention and prevention
• Six month bridge funding; alternative funding source may be
available
Commissioner Jacobs asked if the housing living wage had been calculated for Orange
County and if all employees are being paid above this figure.
Travis Myren said this information would be forwarded to the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC).
Human Services
O Department on Aging
• Office Assistant 11 (0.75 FTE) - $35,477
o Increase hours of operation by two nights a week
o Monday and Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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o Offset by temporary staff reduction - $11,100
Commissioner Price asked if the Passmore Center has a similar staffing need to the
Seymour Center.
Janice Tyler, Department on Aging Director, said the Passmore Center is open every
night, but Friday, in partnership with the Sportsplex.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
• Add Pass Management to RecTrac Software - $16,950
o Participant and volunteer check in
o Sign up and track program participation using kiosk
• Senior Times - $7,000
o Production cost increases
o No change in distribution
• Revenue for mobility program operations - $5,000
o Education on public transit services
o Volunteer driver program
Commissioner Pelissier asked if updated information about the volunteer driver
program could be sent to the Board.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
O Capital Investment Plan - FY2016-17 Recommendations
• Seymour Center CIP - $990,000
o Remodel adds 4,000 square feet of programmable space
o Parking lot construction adds 55 paved spaces
• Proposed Amendment: Passmore Center- $550,000
o Enclose outdoor terrace to create more programming space
o Approximately 1,250 square feet
Proposed Passmore Center Addition (drawing)
Human Services
O Health Department
• Family Success Alliance
o $105,000 in additional County funds
o Adds one 0.5 Navigator
o Leverages $130,250 of in-kind support, including a full time Evaluation
Manager funded by UNC-Chapel Hill
Family Success Alliance 2016-2017
Summer 2016 Kinder Readiness
Zone 4 30 students
Zone 6 60 students
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90 Total
Summer 2016 Literacy Enrichment
st
Zone 4 25 Rising 1 Graders
st
Zone 6 45 Rising 1 Graders
70 Total
After School Programming
None
Navigators
Four 0.5 FTE navigators working with 34 families
Summer 2017 Kinder readiness
Zone 4 30 students
Zone 6 60 students
90 total
Summer 2017 Literacy Enrichment
Zone 4 30 Rising 1st Graders
Zone 6 60 Rising 1st Graders
Zone 4 25 Rising 2nd Graders
Zone 6 45 Rising 2nd Graders
160 Total
After School Programming
Zone 4 25 1st Graders
Zone 6 45 1st Graders
70 Total
Navigators
Five 0.5 FTE navigators working with an estimated 82 families
Family Success Alliance
Kindergarten Readiness: Student Growth (graphs)
O Summer 2015 Cohort 1 — 67 students
Chair McKee asked if the content of the graphs could be explained.
Colleen Bridger, Health Department Director, said each school showed improvement,
and at-risk children were targeted in this program.
Chair McKee asked if the number of children expected this summer is known.
Colleen Bridger said 90 students will come in as a new cohort while the 90 students in
cohort 1 continue to receive programming. She said all students will be followed until they
either go to college or get a job.
Colleen Bridger said the in-kind partnerships with the University of North Carolina and
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center are excellent resources, since they are
nationally recognized evaluators in this field. She said the goal is to have a comprehensive
plan completed by summer.
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Commissioner Rich asked if the goal is to add 90 new students each year.
Colleen Bridger said yes, but also to expand these zones to other areas.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
O Healthy Homes Initiative
• Health Educator— 1.0 FTE — Funded with outside revenue
• Started in FY 15-16 - Healthy Homes (HH) Pilot: 15 families served
• Initially funded through Health Department Innovation Grant
• 60+ Healthy Homes families, priority Medicaid & uninsured
• 40+ local medical providers receive updates asthma training
Healthy Homes Evaluation
Parent-Reported Asthma Morbidity
Human Services
O Public Health
• Men's Health Program Update - $75,000 non-County funds
o 20 men referred between February 2016 and May 2016
o 12 men made appointments
o 10 attended appointments
o Diagnoses included essential primary hypertension, major depressive and
anxiety disorder, sexual dysfunction, scabies, asthma, cough, tobacco
dependence and prostate issues
o Average cost per patient: $234
• FY2016-17 Recommendation
o Continue program (annual budget $75,000 non-county funds)
o Advertise
o Add provider options (new contract with Duke)
o Strengthen specialty referral process
o Re-evaluate after one year
Chair McKee asked if the Men's Health Program fees will be operated on a sliding
scale.
Colleen Bridger said yes. She said the Health Department screens the patient to
determine eligibility and then the private provider applies that information accordingly, billing
the Health Department for the remaining balance.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Human Services
O Housing, Human Rights, and Community Development
• Urgent Repair Program - $125,000
o Recommended in draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
o Older adults and residents with disabilities
o Average median income under 50%
o Eliminate waiting list
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• Homeownership and Rehabilitation Projects - $84,150
o Recommended in draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
o Older adults and residents with disabilities
o Average median income under 80%
• Total Affordable Housing Operating Budget - $1,218,000
o Achieves Board of Commissioner's goal to dedicate at least $1.0 million of
operating funds to affordable housing
• Proposed Amendment: My Brother's Keeper operating funds - $4,000
Draft Affordable Housing Plan
O 1,000 units over 5 years
• Acquisition, construction, urgent repair, assisted housing, and rehabilitation of
the existing housing stock
• Area Median Income (AMI) HUD Definitions
o Durham Chapel Hill MSA AMI - $74,900
o Extremely low income — up to $24,300 (30% AMI)
o Very low income — up to $35,350 (50% AMI)
o Low income (Low/Moderate) — up to $56,550 (80% AMI)
• Draft Plan Recommendations
o 250 units — Income of 0% to 50% AMI
o 250 units — Special Needs
o 500 units — Income of 50% to 80% AMI
Travis Myren referred to the yellow sheet at the Commissioners' places, Annual Income
by Occupation in Orange County, and the green sheet, which showed comparative statistics
on Housing and Affordability.
Commissioner Jacobs referred to the yellow sheet and asked if teachers should be
included in this list.
Travis Myren said staff will research the average teacher salary for the Board.
Commissioner Jacobs said he also does not see Sheriff's Deputies or Police Officers
on the list.
Travis Myren said staff will also get that information for the Board.
Chair McKee asked if this funding would cover the expenses of this program.
Travis Myren yes. He resumed the presentation:
O Low Income —250 units
• Target population — 0% to 50% AMI
• Up to $35,350 for family of four
• Potential examples
o New affordable units with affordability guarantee/incentive
• Construction
• Renovation
• Acquisition with affordability guarantees
o Increase availability of existing units
• Housing locator staff person
• Security deposit risk mitigation fund
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O Example Projects — New Construction
• DHIC - Greenfield Place, Chapel Hill
o Town contributed 9 acres with assessed value of$2 million
o Low Income Housing Tax Credit Equity
o DHIC Loan - $300,000
o Rental Production Program - $1.0 million loan
o HOME loan - $154,000
Chair McKee clarified that the DHIC project was a Chapel Hill project, to which the
County contributed and asked if the County were to execute a similar project, would the
County absorb all the cost.
Travis Myren said The Town of Chapel Hill contributed land and was able to access
other funding sources to make up the difference.
Audrey Spencer Horsley, Housing, Human Rights and Community Development
Director, said tax credits were worth approximately $7.4 million.
Chair McKee asked if the County would pursue the private market to put up money in
order to acquire a tax credit, such as was done in the Eno Haven project.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said yes.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation.
O Example Projects — New Construction
• Habitat for Humanity: Tinnin Woods, Efland
9 out of 28 homes complete —2015
• Orange County also provided $125,278 in homeownership assistance
Commissioner Price said the cost to the County is more in the Efland project than in
Chapel Hill, and asked if that is because Chapel Hill is giving land and has other partners.
Travis Myren said yes.
Commissioner Price asked if Orange County is putting in more money because of the
impact fee reimbursement.
Travis Myren said yes. He resumed the presentation:
O Example Projects — New Construction
• Habitat for Humanity: Phoenix Place, Chapel Hill, 2014
• Orange County provided home ownership assistance to property owners
($885,455) and impact fee reimbursement
O Example Projects —Acquisition
• EmPOWERment , Inc
o 2 BDR, 1 BA in the Northside Community in Chapel Hill
o October 2014
o Acquisition and Rehabilitation - Duplex in Carrboro, May and August 2013
O Special Needs —250 units
• Target populations
o Residents with disabilities
o Older adults/Seniors
o Residents experiencing homelessness
o Victims of domestic violence
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• Potential examples
o New affordable units supportive services
o Repair and rehabilitation assistance
o Emergency shelter
o Rapid Rehousing
O Example Projects — Rehabilitation/Supportive Housing
• CASA— Pritchard Avenue
o 5 duplexes, 10 units, Chapel Hill
Chair McKee asked if the Board would receive information regarding specific types of
housing that would be available for certain groups of the population, such as the homeless or
the disabled.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said all of these projects would include community
partnerships with other agencies that specialize in services to various populations.
Chair McKee said he would like a general idea of what type of housing is available to
serve specific populations in other locales, in order to gather ideas and best practices.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if it is known how many of the 250 units would be rentals
versus owner occupied.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said there are no assumptions as of now and it is being
recommended that there be some criteria as to what Orange County is looking for in affordable
housing, followed by a review of proposals, and a selection made among the projects. She
said a specific type of housing is not being targeted but rather to increase the supply of
housing overall.
Commissioner Jacobs said the 2001 bond committee group had a similar approach, but
he thought the group deviated from the approach. He said he assumes there will be further
discussions about what is available in the community and what the needs are.
Chair McKee said he hoped all of these units would be blended into the general
environment of affordable housing, versus being separate and potentially stigmatized.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if modular or mobile units fit in to the plan somewhere.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said this housing would fit into all categories and across the
spectrum.
Commissioner Rich said it would be good to have a list of all of the affordable housing
units built from the 2001 bond.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
O Example Projects — Supportive Housing New Construction
• CASA - Salisbury Apartments
• 10 units, Raleigh, 2009
O Example Projects — Supportive Housing New Construction
• CASA— Denson 1, November 2014
• 11 units, Durham, 2014
O Low to Moderate Income — 500 units
• Target population
o 50% to80% AMI
o Up to $56,550 for family of four
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• Potential examples
o New affordable units with affordability guarantee/incentive
• Construction
• Renovation
• Acquisition with affordability guarantees
• Repair and Rehabilitation
o Home Ownership Assistance
• Down payment and closing cost assistance
• Buy down interest rate with lender
O Example Projects — Down payment and closing cost assistance
• Community Home Trust (CHT)
o Townhome (1280 sq, ft.), Chapel Hill, May 2016
Commissioner Jacobs said the best way to focus the plan is to finish the analysis and
then adjust the units accordingly.
Commissioner Jacobs said the BOCC has not discussed the point, at which, it wants to
bring other governments into the conversation, but he would like for the Board to have fairly
extensive discussion before involving other governments who already have plans in place.
Commissioner Rich asked if this plan is being used as the priority, when the new HOME
group is given its new charge.
Travis Myren said Commissioner Jacobs was suggesting having further discussions
within the Board before giving any guidance to the multi-jurisdictional housing group.
Bonnie Hammersley said she would suggest bringing this discussion on affordable
housing back after the break.
Commissioner Rich asked if the new multi-jurisdictional group was supposed to meet
over the summer.
Bonnie Hammersley said she has not heard anything yet from the other jurisdictions
about meetings.
Commissioner Rich said she agreed and that flexibility is important going forward.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
O Capital Investment Plan — FY2016-17 Recommendations
• Affordable Housing Land Banking - $1 million
o Added to existing $1 million
• Affordable Housing Bond - $2.5 million
o 1st draw of$5 million proposed bond
o 2nd draw proposed to occur in FY2018-19
o May be advanced based on project schedule
Commissioner Price asked if anything has been done with the first $1 million, which the
County allotted for landbanking.
Chair McKee said it is sitting there and the second million will be added to the financing
package.
Bonnie Hammersley said financing would not occur without having projects in place.
She said it is a placeholder.
Commissioner Jacobs said there should be clarified focus regarding the Board's
direction to address problems of the manufactured housing communities and the purpose of
the land being banked. He said the 1989 Low and Moderate Income Housing Task Force had
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some interesting suggestions, including potential mobile home park standards. He said if
money is going to continue to be set aside, there must be a plan in place.
Commissioner Price said if there are needs and money set aside, there should be a
plan of action.
Commissioner Jacobs said there are a couple of examples: one is Charlottesville and
one is south of Garner. He said staff could go investigate the details in Garner.
Commissioner Price referred to the Economic Development Districts and asked if there
will be mobile home parks and owners that will be affected as these are built out.
Commissioner Rich clarified that this conversation was prompted by the mobile home
parks being pushed out on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Chapel Hill due to new
construction, and the County wanting to have funds in reserve for land banking.
Commissioner Rich said she thought it was important to partner with Chapel Hill and
Carrboro and to ask these Towns to land bank as well.
Chair McKee said he agreed regarding the history of this conversation and noted the
specific concern regarding mobile home parks in municipalities being pushed out and how the
County may help. He said the County could provide raw land and some infrastructure to
accommodate mobile homes and this was his understanding of the intent of the $1 million.
Bonnie Hammersley said Chapel Hill has been land banking for some time.
Chair McKee said the conversations with the Towns should happen subsequent to the
Board's discussion.
Commissioner Pelissier said it is important keep in mind the need for access to
transportation, when considering land banking.
Chair McKee asked if there is enough time to get a plan and details in place before the
proposed $2.5 million draw from bond funds in 2017.
Travis Myren said yes, if there are projects in place.
Bonnie Hammersley said the plan is to go out for the bond money in the spring of 2017.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Library Services (graph)
Human Services
O Library Services
• Cedar Grove Kiosk Materials and Operations - $10,500
o 350 items available 24/7
o Books, DVDs, Audiobooks for all ages and hot spots
• Expanded Technology Offerings
o Hotspot loaner pilot in collaboration with IT
• 46 on-hold
o Laptop Program — $2,870
• 6 laptops and 5 I-pads for use in-house
Commissioner Price suggested having someone available during the week to assist
residents with using the Kiosk. She added that the community is interested in having actual
books on the shelves, especially for children.
Lucinda Munger, Library Director, said there would be books and magazines, as well as
the Kiosk. She said she also hopes the community will donate gently used books.
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Chair McKee said there seemed to be less angst about the Kiosk earlier this week, than
about a month ago. He said once a few residents start using the kiosk, comfort levels will
increase and word will spread about its benefits.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
O Library Services
• Grant Funded Initiatives
o Assistive Technology Grant - $23,636
• Hearing and visually impaired
• Board consideration in September
o Strategic Planning Grant - $40,00
• Board consideration in September
o Orange County Partnership for Young Children - $120,496
• 2 year time-limited grant to support outreach to childcare providers in
Orange County
• Maintain Current payment to Chapel Hill $568,139
o Include in double taxation study
• Proposed Amendment: Create 1.0 Outreach Librarian with the Orange County
Partnership grant- $10,000 County match
O Maintenance of Effort Funding — Cardinal Innovations
• $1,355,973 Total Expenditure
• $300,000 Reallocated to County priorities
o Criminal Justice Case Manager - CJRO
o Integrated Behavioral Health position — Health Dept.
o Emergency placement for foster children — Social Services
o Trauma informed clinical specialist— Social Services
• Other Changes
o Club Nova — move funding to MOE
• Increase by $20,000 to $95,000
o Institute for Art Therapy— move to MOE - $1,000
• El Futuro - move to MOE
o Increase by $16,000 to $43,500
o Moved to Health Department for contract management
o Serve an additional 18 residents
O Non-Departmental Recommendations
• Social Justice Reserve Fund — budgeted at $350,000 for FY16-17.
Commissioner Jacobs said Paul Laughton, Finance and Administrative Services,
provided the Board with information as to how the Social Justice Reserve Fund has been used
previously. He asked if this information could be updated and re-sent to the Board.
Paul Laughton said there is currently $450,000 in this fund.
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Chair McKee clarified that this is not a cumulative fund.
Paul Laughton said in 2014-2015 the County used $100,000 for the Family Success
Alliance and $350,000 towards childcare subsidy.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Outside Agencies
O Outside Agency Spreadsheet
• Application evaluation ranking
• Funding request by local government jurisdiction
• Geographic service area
• Non-local government funding sources
• Percentage of funding from non-local government sources
Outside Agencies — Proposed Amendments
Agency Proposed Increase
Food Council $16,030
Triangle Bikeworks $1,000
Hillsborough Arts Council $1,500/$3,750
Historic Hillsborough Commission $500
Piedmont Wildlife $1,500
TABLE $1,500
Youth Community Project $4,000
Boys and Girls Club $5,000
Marion Cheek Jackson Center $1,000
Senior Care of Orange $2,500
Boomerang $5,000
Volunteers for Youth $5,000
Dispute Settlement Center $2,000
Fully Fund Requests of Previously Funded Agencies $107,827
Chapel Hill Meals on Wheels $3,000
Commissioner Burroughs said Communities in Schools of Orange County has folded
and that is why she recommended deleting the proposed funding.
Chair McKee said he spoke with the Meals on Wheels program, which is asking for
$15,000. He said the Manager recommended $10,000, but he is asking for an additional
$3000 due to the increased population they serve.
Commissioner Price asked if more information could be provided about the Food
Council.
Bonnie Hammersley said the Food Council was listed under the United Way of the
Triangle and she did not recommend funding. She said Commissioner Jacobs recommended
funding the Food Council under the United Way of the Triangle.
Commissioner Price asked if the Food Council had been previously funded.
Commissioner Jacobs said no, this is a new agency.
Commissioner Price asked if there is specific rationale for funding the Food Council at
its full request when other new agencies are not funded as much.
Commissioner Jacobs said the Food Council's request got lost in the shuffle but it has
the most impact on agriculture in Orange County. He said it is a start-up and could have
possibly been funded by Economic Development and perhaps still should be.
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Commissioner Jacobs said it is an outside agency and it is directly related to
sustainable agriculture.
Commissioner Price said she supported the Food Council but thought there was an
unwritten policy about not fully funding brand new organizations.
Commissioner Jacobs said past boards have funded new entities if there was a need
shown.
Commissioner Pelissier said criteria was developed a few years back on how to fund
outside agencies and one criteria was if a non-profit was getting most of its money from
government than it is not a non-profit. She said it now seems that government is funding most
of these outside agencies and maybe the BOCC needs to re-visit its criteria. She said the
Manager has recommended funding some of these non-profits because they were the Board's
priority.
Commissioner Burroughs asked Janice Tyler if she could highlight the funding needs of
Senior Care of Orange.
Janice Tyler said this group is continuing to struggle and has about enough money for
one month of payroll. She said Veterans Affairs owes the agency about $20,000. She said
the census fluctuates, which makes it difficult to plan. She said it is hard for this agency to
meet the living wage criteria this time but noted that this is the only day health program for
seniors in Orange County. She stressed the importance of this program.
Commissioner Rich referred to Behavioral Insights and asked if the County is providing
this service already and if so, why is any funding being offered at all.
Bonnie Hammersley said the $4,000 was a recommendation of the Criminal Justice
Resource Manager who identified any duplicate services and determined that $4,000 of
services is still being provided by Behavioral Insights.
Travis Myren said this funding is for staff to write sentencing plans.
Commissioner Rich asked if this task could be brought in-house.
Travis Myren said he does not believe the current staff has the skill set to do this task.
He said there is also a desire to start a Batterers Intervention Program; however, certification
was not received to start this program so this portion is not being funded.
Commissioner Price asked if this $4,000 could be contracted out.
Bonnie Hammersley said the $4,000 is for a contract and will be administered and
monitored by the Criminal Justice Resource Manager.
Commissioner Jacobs said another variable that is to be considered when determining
outside agency funding is how much an organization serves the residents of Orange County.
He said the Food Council serves 100% in Orange County.
Bonnie Hammersley said the spreadsheet did not cover the geographical service areas
and staff tried to incorporate as much as possible from the applications.
Commissioner Jacobs requested that next year more information be provided regarding
the agencies that are not funded, so that Commissioners can independently evaluate the
agency and see if they concur with the Manager's recommendation.
Commissioner Jacobs said the Board needs to acknowledge Commissioner Dorosin's
suggestion to fully fund previously funded agencies, and if so, then there would be no need for
further discussion on those agencies.
Bonnie Hammersley said if the Board wants to delay the mark-up-mark-down process
until the next meeting it can do so, as all amendments will be reviewed at that time.
Commissioner Jacobs suggested deferring this conversation about the outside agency
amendments until the next meeting due to Commissioner Dorosin's illness this evening.
Commissioner Price said she planned to propose more for the Hillsborough Art's
Council.
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Chair McKee said he agreed with the decision to defer this discussion until the June
16th meeting.
Commissioner Rich asked if Commissioner Dorosin's suggestion could be clearly
explained.
Bonnie Hammersley said Commissioner Dorosin's suggestion is to fully fund the
requests of previously funded agencies, as well as any new agencies that the Board of
Commissioners determined to fund.
Commissioner Rich said she had a question about non-departmentals and referred to
the Upper Neuse River Basin Association (URNBA) on page 378. She said funds are being
used to test water and she asked if it is expected that the cost to do this project will continually
increase.
David Stancil said that is yet to be determined and that there would be a maintenance
level through 2019. He said his understanding is that the dues will remain at this level for the
next two to three years, and then may start to come down.
Chair McKee said he would not assume these dues will be reduced as the water issues
are very complicated and the continued need to monitor the water quality is high.
Commissioner Price asked if other counties are paying the same dues.
Chair McKee said it is prorated and Wake County pays the biggest expense.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Public Safety
O Emergency Services
• Upgrade OC Alerts - $6,333
o Text Opt In
o Report crime tips —text to OC Alerts
o Synchronization with social media
o 1,904 subscribers
o 386 alerts sent since 2015
• Critical Online Testing - $6,000
o Remote testing for Telecommunicator applicants
o 4-5 Out of State applicants each hiring cycle
• Tactical Medic Program - $10,705
o Purchase personal protective equipment
o Support high risk law enforcement situations
o Three trained paramedics
• Equipment Replacement EMS — $33,900
o Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs)
o Medical Equipment
Commissioner Burroughs asked if there are enough telecommunicators and if turnover
is a problem.
Dinah Jeffries, Interim Emergency Services Director, said there will never be enough
telecommunicators. She said turnover is high nationwide due to the demands of the hours,
working on weekends and holidays, as well as the demand to keep up with technology. She
said the critical online testing does help in weeding out candidates who may not be best suited
to the job, but the County is competing with other counties for the same candidates.
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Commissioner Burroughs asked if compensation for these positions should be higher.
Travis Myren said there is a recurring application process so as not to delay hiring.
Commissioner Jacobs said the turnover rate has been reduced compared to what it
used to be.
Dinah Jeffries said about 90-92% are retained, while five years ago it was around 72-
78%.
Chair McKee asked if all the recommendations of the Emergency Services Task Force
have been implemented.
Dinah Jeffries said every one of the recommendations from the Emergency Services
Task Force has been implemented.
Chair McKee asked if clarification could be given regarding the training of tactical EMS
staff and the types of situations in which they are being placed. He also asked if there is
coordination with the Sheriff's department's training program.
Kim Woodard said these medics are very finely selected and specially trained. She
said the medics train alongside the law enforcement special teams and are embedded within
those teams. She said the medics provide services to the law enforcement officers of those
teams and are trained to enter hot response zones, which may not be cleared or secured, but
typically do not go past the last point of cover and concealment.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
O Capital Investment Plan — FY2016-17 Recommendations
• Communication System Improvements - $166,000
o Completes replacement of radios for Emergency Services
o Outfit all vehicles with dual band radios (800Mhz and VHF)
o Create a small inventory of backup radios in the event of a disaster
• Emergency Services Substations - $500,000
o Colocation with Chapel Hill at new Hamilton Road Station
• Hardened 911 Center - $980,000
o Provides primary hardened facility at Meadowlands site
o Approved equipment and installation is eligible for funding by 911 Board
O Sheriff's Office (graph)
• Staffing Capacity - $168,211
o 2.0 Deputy Sheriff l's
o 1.0 Investigator
Public Safety- graph
Public Safety- graph
Public Safety-graph
Discussion ensued on graph information.
Chair McKee asked Sheriff Blackwood if his department's workload has increased, and
if he is in need of more employees.
Sheriff Blackwood said five employees have been added to his department since 2008,
and 39 have been added to EMS in the same timeframe. He said EMS has had an increased
workload during that timeframe. He said the tactical EMS personnel, which were discussed
17
previously, are trained at the same level as his staff, and he would feel comfortable entering
any scenario with any one of them.
Chair McKee said he imagines that the Sheriff department's workload has also
increased in the recent years.
Sheriff Blackwood said more personnel could be used, but it is his goal to provide the
highest level of service with the personnel that he has. He said he does not want to balance
the budget by sacrificing jobs.
Commissioner Price asked if the breakdown of salary versus benefits for new staff
could be provided for the next meeting.
Paul Laughton said that information could be found on page 40 of the Commissioners'
book.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
0 Sheriff's Office
• Training and Certification
o Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy - $63,790
o Department and medical supplies - $64,000
o Uniforms and Vests - $100,000
o Printing and Duplicating - $4,000
• Jail Revenue
o Increase federal inmate reimbursement - $200,000
• Health and Safety Contract Revenue
o School Resource Officers in middle and high schools
o Reserve deputies in elementary schools - $184,000 from Orange County
Schools
• Proposed Amendment: Add an additional Deputy Sheriff I- $63,091
Sheriff Blackwood said his department has 1,131 new tan shirts leftover from the old
style uniforms, which are being given to Animal Services.
Commissioner Price referred to OPC/Cardinal Innovations and said there was a
presentation yesterday at the Cardinal Innovations meeting. She said she understands there
are some agencies covering certain costs which the County appears to also be covering.
Travis Myren said some agencies receive money both through the maintenance of
effort funding and through the outside agency process.
Commissioner Price said she understood that if it was being paid through the
maintenance of efforts funds, then the County would not have to pay through outside agency
grants.
Travis Myren said there is a recommendation to fund the ARC of Orange County and
Freedom House from both sources.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to
adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
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Earl McKee, Chair
Donna Baker
Clerk to the Board