HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-08-2017 1
APPROVED 9/5/2017
MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION
June 8, 2017
7:00 p.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a work session on Thursday, June 8,
2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Dorosin and Commissioners Mia Burroughs,
Mark Dorosin, Barry Jacobs, Earl McKee, Renee Price and Penny Rich
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Marcoplos
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
appropriately below)
Chair Dorosin called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
1. FY 2017-18 Fire District Tax Rates, Pg. 355
Travis Myren made the following PowerPoint presentation, and facilitated discussion
between the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the Fire Districts:
Budget Work Session #2
County Fire Districts
Public Safety
General Government
Support Services
June 8, 2017
Southern Human Services Center
Fire District Recommendations (chart)
Fire District Recommendations
• Revenue neutral rates used as a point of comparison
• District requests
o Cedar Grove -
— One cent increase for replacement fire engine at Station #2
o Damascus & Southern Triangle
— Contract with North Chatham Fire Department for fire protection
— Agreement provides for consistent tax rate between the two
counties
— Increases of 0.09 cents in Damascus and 0.34 cents in Southern
Triangle to 10.30 cents in both Districts
o Eno
— One cent increase for tanker replacement and Station #1
renovation which included a garage building
o Little River
2
— One cent increase for land acquisition and initial construction
funds for Station #2 and replacement fire engine
— Station #2 provides more residents with six mile proximity for fire
station to qualify for lower insurance premiums
o Orange Rural
— One cent increase for personnel related costs
— Add three personnel; train on swift water, trench, and structural
collapse rescue
— CIP includes County contribution to colocation of new fire station
with Emergency Medical Services at Waterstone
o White Cross Fire District (Page 360) —
— increase of 1.00 cents, going from a revenue neutral tax rate of
10.37 cents to 11.37 cents, for FY 2017-18.
— The existing tax rate is 11.00 cents. This tax rate increase will be
used to help offset the cost of replacement of a 30 year old
pumper/tanker, equipment replacement, increased member
training, and continue their capital outlay program.
Commissioner Rich asked if there is a process to inform residents of a fire district tax
increase.
Chiefs said social media is used, word of mouth, community bulletin boards, websites,
etc.
Commissioner Price asked if all of the older fire trucks will be replaced at some time.
Jeff Cabe, Orange Rural Chief, said they have no replacement schedule and have
internal technicians for truck maintenance.
Chief Hayes, Eno Fire Department, said their truck needs replacing.
Brad Allison, Caldwell Chief, said their front line engine is in need of replacing.
Commissioner Price said she is concerned about the older trucks and the safety of the
firefighters.
Commissioner McKee said when he was on the Caldwell Fire Department Board there
was a truck rotation plan, with a replacement schedule that was staggered over time.
Chair Dorosin referred to the White Cross district tax increase, and asked if staff will be
added.
Philip Nasseri, White Cross Fire Chief, said the additional funding will add another full
time staff person during the day.
Chair Dorosin asked if this would be firefighting or administrative staff.
Philip Nasseri said it would be firefighting/EMS staff.
Chair Dorosin asked if other departments have paid staff.
Jeff Cabe said the tax increase will help to hire paid staff.
Chair Dorosin asked if the percentage of paid staff could be identified.
Jeff Cabe said 66% is paid, and the rest are volunteers.
John Stroud, North Chatham Fire Department, said his department is at similar
percentages and are seeking to add staff.
Chief Hayes said there are three part-time workers present on Monday through Friday
from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and two part time workers on the weekends for the same hours.
Jimmy Lambert, Cedar Grove Fire Chief, said the department is currently all volunteers,
but is in the process of hiring its first part-time paid employee, who will work 8:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m., Monday to Friday.
Phillip Nasseri said White Cross has about 6-8 part-timers, and about 33 volunteers.
Brad Allison said Caldwell is strictly volunteer-run with about 42 volunteers at this time.
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Commissioner Rich asked if the fire departments pay a living wage.
Jeff Cabe said he is not sure if Orange Rural pays a living wage, and tried to explain
their pay schedule.
The Chiefs reviewed the varying pay rates, which range between $12-15/hour.
Travis Myren said the living wage for next year is $13.75/hour, or just under $30,000
annually.
The Fire Districts requesting tax rate increases in FY 2017-18 are as follows:
• Cedar Grove Fire District (Page 356) - increase of 1.00 cents, going from a revenue
neutral tax rate of 7.10 cents to 8.10 cents, for FY 2017-18. The existing tax rate is
7.36 cents. This rate increase will be used to help cover the replacement costs of a fire
engine at Station #2.
• Damascus Fire District (Page 356) - increase of .09 cents, going from a revenue
neutral tax rate of 10.21 cents to 10.30 cents, for FY 2017-18. The existing tax rate is
10.30 cents. This tax rate increase is consistent with the Chatham County tax rate.
• Eno Fire District (page 357) - increase of 1.00 cents, going from a revenue neutral tax
rate of 7.68 cents to 8.68 cents, for FY 2017-18. The existing tax rate is 7.99 cents.
This rate increase will be used to help cover the replacement costs of a 23 year old
tanker, and the completion of the renovations at Station #1, including a garage building,
which houses additional fire units and equipment.
• Little River Fire District (Pages 357-358) - increase of 1.00 cents, going from a
revenue neutral tax rate of 3.92 cents to 4.92 cents, for FY 2017-18. The existing tax
rate is 4.06 cents. This rate increase will be used to move forward in purchasing land
and construction of a Station #2 and to help cover the cost of purchasing a new fire
engine.
• Orange Rural Fire District (Page 359) - increase of 1.00 cents, going from a revenue
neutral tax rate of 8.15 cents to 9.15 cents, for FY 2017-18. The existing tax rate is
8.36 cents. This rate increase will be used to add personnel and cover increases in
insurance costs, including worker's compensation, automobile, and health.
• Southern Triangle Fire Service District (Page 360) - increase of .34 cents, going
from a revenue neutral tax rate of 9.96 cents to 10.30 cents, for FY 2017-18. The
existing tax rate is 10.30 cents. This tax rate increase is consistent with the Chatham
County tax rate.
• White Cross Fire District (Page 360) - increase of 1.00 cents, going from a revenue
neutral tax rate of 10.37 cents to 11.37 cents, for FY 2017-18. The existing tax rate is
11.00 cents. This tax rate increase will be used to help offset the cost of replacement of
a 30 year old pumper/tanker, equipment replacement, increased member training, and
continue their capital outlay program.
2. Discussion with County Departments within the following Functional Leadership
Teams (FLT), including Operations and Fee Schedule Changes:
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Travis Myren facilitated and presented the following PowerPoint presentation. Each
FLT came forward, and sat at the tables for their specific FLT Team's discussion.
Public Safety (Functional Leadership Ranking Form, Pg. 536)
• Courts, Pg. 117
o County funds space and associated equipment for Court functions
o Jury master list funded - $9,000
• Criminal Justice Resource Office — page 118
o Total expenditure budget - $481,432
o Transition to Department status
o 1.0 FTE Misdemeanor Diversion Program Coordinator - $62,400
o 0.5 FTE Mental Health Liaison for court involved youth - $40,770
o 0.5 FTE Administrative Assistant II - $34,560
o All positions are revenue funded
• Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board funds ($100,000)
• Mental health maintenance of effort (MOE) funds ($40,770)
• Misdemeanor Diversion Program Coordinator
o ABC Board revenue funded
o Program for 16 & 17 year olds to prevent criminal record and future
criminal behavior
o 90 day program of services
o 50 law enforcement referrals between April 2016 and April 2017
• Mental Health Liaison for Court Involved Youth
o MOE (Maintenance of Effort) Funded
o Focus on youth under the age of 18
• Juvenile Justice
• Truancy Court
• Misdemeanor Diversion Program
• Adult Court
o 0.5 FTE Clinical Social Worker to conduct immediate assessment,
treatment referrals, temporary therapy, and case management
o Services are currently contracted out— resulting in delays for
assessments and referrals
o Anticipated caseload of 15 per month
• High risk youth — other diversionary measures not successful
• Complexity working with family or guardians
Caitlin Fenhagen, Criminal Justice Resource Manager, said her office had not worked
with Juvenile Court (under 16) before, and would like to provide similar services to the youth
(under 16) that are offered to adults. She said best practice research has been done with New
Hanover County, where there are efficient and effective services provided.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
Pre-trial services — graph
Criminal Case Assessment Mental Health and Substance Abuse
• MOE funding continued
• 126 individuals serves
5
• 80% were in custody at the Orange County detention facility
• 30 individuals served with severe and persistent mental illness (24%)
• 71 linked to treatment services at the time of release from custody
Commissioner McKee said he is greatly appreciative of the efforts of all of these
programs, and asked that commendations be passed along to all involved. He said he was
leery of Drug Court, but has been won over by its merits.
Caitlin Fenhagen said there are no changes to the Drug Treatment Courts this year, but
there is the Family Treatment Court and the Recovery Court, both of which are working well.
She said there is a new coordinator in that position, and will pass along Commissioner
McKee's kind remarks.
Chair Dorosin clarified that the Resource Office is going to become a department, and
that Caitlin Fenhagen will be the Department Director.
Bonnie Hammersley said yes.
Chair Dorosin asked if all the positions described on page 5 would fall under this
department.
Bonnie Hammersley said yes.
Caitlin Fenhagen said the she expects the Misdemeanor Diversion Program to expand
up to the age 18 to 21, with the full support of local law enforcement agencies.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
• Emergency Services, Pg. 341
o Total expenditure budget - $11,580,153
o Administration Division
• Upgrade all department cell phones - $11,950
o Fire Marshal Division
• Stipend increase for South Orange Rescue Squad, not increased
since 2002 — $7,227
• Specialized rescue equipment for fire departments - $8,769
• Risk assessment system to be established to prioritize equipment
o Communications (911) Division — Emergency Telephone Fund
• Funded with 911 surcharge on wired and wireless phone bills
• Revenue increase in subscriber fees — ($85,618)
• Monthly telephone line fees for backup center - $60,677
• Chairs and sit/stand desks - $20,750
o Call taking performance standard
• 90% of 911 calls answered within 10 seconds and 95% of 911
calls answered within 20 seconds
• FY2014-15 92%
• FY2015-16 97.47%
• FY2016-17 Proj. 98%
• FY2017-18 Goal 98.43%
o Emergency Medical Services Division (EMS)
• Decrease in EMS revenue collections to reflect actuals —
($200,000)
• Replacement equipment - $75,581
• Stretchers and patient movement, defibrillator equipment,
etc.
o Public Safety- Graph: EMS Calls for Service
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o Public Safety-Graph: Average Response Time
Commissioner Price said there were cuts to the Department's request and the
Manager's recommendation, and asked if this could be clarified.
Travis Myren said three telecommunicator positions were not funded, and an updated
scheduling study will be completed before adding any full time employees (FTE). He said the
last study was completed in 2013.
Commissioner Price said she is somewhat concerned, because if the department
needs more staff something should be done. She said maybe one or two of the positions
could be funded.
Dinah Jeffries, EMS Director, said the Department's request was made in order to
comply with the last completed study from 2013; however, the Department can manage as is
for another year or two. She said the Department is trying to keep up, as well as create a
more attractive and robust business to keep people. She said the retention rate is bad.
Commissioner Burroughs asked if the upcoming study can also include a review of the
pay scale.
Bonnie Hammersley said in the three budgets that she has done, this is the first time
that the telecommunicators are fully staffed. She said the improving data regarding response
times reflects this fact. She said she is hopeful that scheduling changes will lead to staff
retention.
Chair Dorosin asked if there is a plan to update this study.
Travis Myren said yes.
Commissioner Price asked if, after reworking the schedule, if it is still deemed
necessary to have more staff, can more staff be hired.
Travis Myren said a budget amendment can always be done, if need be.
Dinah Jeffries said community paramedics were also requested, but went unfunded.
She said she would like to keep this request on the table, as well as Emergency Management
Services (EMS), which helps the entire County as well as the municipalities.
Bonnie Hammersley said Community Paramedics was a new program, which was
unable to be funded; and said she would prioritize the telecommunicators over a new program.
Commissioner Rich asked if the response time goal could be identified.
Kim Woodard, EMS Operations Manager, said there is not a national or state standard
for response time. She said her department considers response times by looking at how
partner agencies are being taxed. She said their goal is a fractal measurement, which is 12
minutes, and they are not close to that at this time.
Chair Dorosin asked if more clarification could be provided.
Kim Woodard said the difference is that there are both rural and urban areas to serve,
and she said the 8:59 average is typically used in urban settings. She said rural settings take
longer, and the goal takes both environments into account. She said the 2013 study showed
that it would be very costly to be able to reach that goal.
Commissioner Burroughs said she has a heart for telecommunicators, and she asked
Dinah Jeffries to express the Board's appreciation to these staff. She said if it would
encourage these employees to be recognized by the Board at a meeting, the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) would be most willing to do this.
Commissioner Price referred to the proposed community paramedics program, and
asked if the number of requested staff could be identified.
Dinah Jeffries said the request was for three Community Paramedics.
Kim Woodard said this was a continuation of the "Stay Up, Stay Active" Program with
the Department of Aging, and she said falling is their number 2 response right now. She said
the falls are mainly focused on their geriatric population, which is the fastest growing
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population, and she said there is a desire to focus on prevention, and the provision of the right
resources to this population. She said the Department on Aging was unable to reach out to
this population, but paramedics, by the nature of their work, were able to identify those in need
and respond. She said there can be 700 calls of this nature, but not all can be reached out to
with existing staff levels.
Sheriff Blackwood said there is one other component of this program. He said staff is
working on an initiative to address the heroin and opioid epidemic. He said there will be a
three component program called COORE (Coordinated Opioid Overdose Reduction Effort).
He said law enforcement agencies are responding to overdose calls; however there is no
follow up once the call is responded to. He said COORE will create a shared network of
information to allow investigators to discover the commonalities in the calls. He said the
second component of the program will be outreach oriented. He said if Narcan is administered
at the scene of a call, there will be a follow up three days later to offer help and services to the
addicted individual. He said the third component of the program will be an amnesty program,
where people can come to the Sheriff's office to request help and be connected with
appropriate resources. He said these efforts will be coordinated by a dedicated staff person.
Commissioner Price said she would like to see the budget amended to add a
Community Paramedic.
Chair Dorosin said he would like to get more information about this proposed position.
Commissioner Rich recommended for all Board of County Commissioners to take a
CPR class.
Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
• Sheriff— page 461
o Total expenditure budget - $13,638,496
o Revenue adjustments to reflect actuals
• Federal inmate revenue adjusted to reflect actual
collections — ($700,000)
• Rate increase from $66 to $93 per day not sufficient to
offset the reduction in ADP
Commissioner Price asked if there is a reason for the decrease.
Paul Laughton said this was not a reflection of deficit in services, but rather for
overtime.
Chair Dorosin said the Board expected to see body cameras in this year's budget.
Sheriff Blackwood said there are two in operation currently. He said he was originally
not in favor of cameras, but their benefits to interactions between officers and the public have
become apparent. He said a product that would work well with the local environment has been
found, and 10 cameras are on the way from Motorola to put in the field, at no cost. He said
Motorola came and spent time with the Sheriff's Department, and developed an apparatus
specifically suited for them. He said the in-car camera and the body camera do not need to be
operated by the same vendor, but Motorola has proposed a better and less expensive in car
camera than that which is currently used, and that will be utilized moving forward. He said this
whole process is very exciting.
• Non-Departmental, Pg. 419
o No significant budget changes
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Commissioner Jacobs referred back to the criminal justice component of the
presentation through the Sheriff's Department component, and said the progress and growth is
a testament to Sheriff Blackwood's leadership, willingness to be part of a team, and willingness
to be innovative.
Caitlin Fenhagen said she agreed, and noted Sheriff Blackwood is their biggest
supporter.
General Government (Functional Leadership Ranking Form, Pg. 534)
• Board of County Commissioners, Pg. 75
o Total expenditure budget - $913,708
o Volunteer Recognition Program appreciation - $4,000 offset by decrease
in the Travel account
• Board of Elections, Pg. 80
o Total expenditure budget - $830,014
o Revenue increase for municipal elections held in the fall of 2017 and
filing fees for 2018 election — ($59,790)
o Election costs for three elections in FY2017-18 - $68,500
• November 2017—Municipal and School Board
• March 2018- Primary
• June 2018- Run-off
• County Attorney— page 106
o Total expenditure budget - $590,669
o No significant operating budget changes
John Roberts said his office has about 30 years of older records, and it was suggested
to put these on Laserfiche. He said he may make a request next year to address this issue.
Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
• County Manager, Pg. 109
o Total expenditure budget - $3,155,839
o Administration
— Transfer Criminal Justice Resource Office to independent
department
— Maintain $100,000 for program evaluation studies
o Arts Commission
— Funded by occupancy taxes
— Student intern for marketing and new programming — $13,676
o Partnership to End Homelessness
— Temporary staffing/Intern funds to assist with Project Connect -
$13,676
— Costs shared with Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough
o Risk Management - Graph
— Decrease expenditures for bonds and insurance - ($100,000)
— Property insurance, general liability, public officials, employment,
cyber
o Risk Management- Graph
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— Decrease expenditures for workers compensation — ($50,000)
• Register of Deeds, Pg. 457
o Total expenditure budget - $974,315
o Revenue increases - ($226,900)
— Excise stamps on property sales — ($162,000)
— Register of Deeds fees for birth certificates, death certificates,
etc. - ($62,500)
o Two fire proof filing cabinets for birth records and credit card transaction
documentation - $2,320
• Tax Administration — page 491
o Total expenditure budget - $3,705,364
o Software interfaces for Central Permitting and Register of Deeds
systems - $25,000
o Programming and licenses for Ambulance billing software - $18,400
Mark Chilton said a new software system will be installed, and these funds will come
from fees. He said a $400,000 budget is being proposed, out of these fees, to purchase
software to create a new website for the department.
Travis Myren said this will be reflected in the CIP.
Chair Dorosin thanked their department for now offering passport services.
• Revaluation Results and Tax Rate (chart)
Dwane Brinson said his office received 3% of informal appeals with the revaluation
process, when 10% was expected; and of that 3%, around 100 have appealed to the Board of
Equalization and Review, showing that most appeals more resolved through his office meeting
with the tax payer. He said the revaluation was a successful process.
• Non-Departmental, Pg. 405
o No significant budget changes
Chair Dorosin referred to the pie chart on page 23, and suggested having a second
chart to show a brief description of all that a department does with a relatively small amount of
the overall budget.
Support Services (Functional Leadership Ranking Form, Pg. 538)
• Asset Management Services, including Vehicle Replacements, Pg. 65
o Total expenditure budget - $4,474,356
o Administration Division
• Partner contribution in Triangle Regional Resiliency project -
$13,283
• Coordinated by the Triangle J Council of Governments
• Seven participating jurisdictions to collaborate on resiliency
planning
o Facility Maintenance Division
• No significant budget changes
o Custodial Services Division
• No significant budget changes
o Fleet Maintenance Division
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• Replace non-functional vehicle charging station @ West Campus
- $3,000
• Pilot vehicle leasing program to replace six aging admin
vehicles - $25,000
• Replace compressor in Motor Pool - $13,978
• Vehicle Replacement Recommendations — Purchase (graph)
• Vehicle Replacement Recommendations — Lease (graph)
• Five year lease
Chair Dorosin asked if there is a reason why vehicles were not charged back to the
individual departments.
Paul Laughton, Financial and Administrative Services, said vehicles were previously
charged to individual departments, but this process changed in FY 2012-13 when an internal
services fund was established for vehicle replacement. He said Asset Management Services
(AMS) oversees the process. He said if a department requires a new vehicle for a newly
created position for example, then the vehicle purchase will appear in the individual
department's budget.
Chair Dorosin asked if the establishment of the internal services fund, and oversight by
AMS has led to a more consistent vehicle replacement schedule.
Jeff Thompson, AMS Director, said the departments are consulted heavily in the
process, in addition to the consideration of depreciation, wear and tear, the economy, etc.
Bonnie Hammersley said it is a best practice to centralize the motor pool.
• Community Relations, Pg. 98
o Total expenditure budget - $291,874
o County website refresh - $40,000
• Six to eight month project— select vendor by October 1
• Needs assessment— Commissioner interviews
Commissioner Jacobs said the website contains no contact information for the Fire
Marshal, and asked if this could be amended.
Commissioner Jacobs said there has been previous discussion about Chair/Vice Chair
agenda review, and choosing an item from the agenda to be put out via a press release. He
encouraged Todd McGee, Community Relations Director, to pursue this idea.
Commissioner Rich said Facebook posts are also useful.
Commissioner Burroughs highly commended Todd McGee's use of Twitter.
Bonnie Hammersley said the needs assessment will be about the functionality of the
website, and asked the Board to let her know of any necessary changes.
Commissioner Price said she still gets many complaints about residents having a hard
time finding contact information for staff on the website. She said it may be helpful to require
all department's to post a standard set of information, to insure that it is available.
• Finance and Administrative Services, Pg. 350
o Total expenditure budget - $1,405,885
o Finance and Purchasing Division
— No significant budget changes
o Budget Division
— No significant budget changes
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• Human Resources, including Employee Pay & Benefits, Pg. 382 and Appendix A, Pg.
497
o Total expenditure budget - $932,493
o No significant budget changes
o Employee Pay and Benefits — page 497
o 2% general wage adjustment effective 7/1/17 - $1,040,000
o Employee performance awards — $460,000
• No change to current performance bonus tiers
• Study adding performance awards to base salary
Chair Dorosin asked if the current process could be explained.
Brenda Bartholomew, Human Resources Director, said it is a lump sum, and the
highest award one can receive is for an exceptional performance, at the amount of$1,000.
She said this is a one-time award.
Chair Dorosin asked if all employees are eligible.
Brenda Bartholomew said yes.
Chair Dorosin asked if the award is received on an employee's anniversary date.
Brenda Bartholomew said the employee has a performance review around 30 prior to
its anniversary date, and the award is received within two payrolls of paperwork being
submitted.
Chair Dorosin said there has been some discussion on the Board about raises being a
dollar amount or a percentage of an employee's salary. He said if a study is completed, he
would like to consider if there a different model that may narrow the gap between those with
the highest salary and those with the lowest.
Bonnie Hammersley said staff will look into this question. She said the recession led to
most public employees receiving one time, lump sum raises because one time revenues were
identified. She said recommendations will be brought back to the Board. She said
compression is eliminated when it is put on an employees pay, but it is put on as a lump sum
and people are not moving.
Chair Dorosin asked Brenda Bartholomew if she could identify the salary of the lowest
paid FTE in Orange County.
Brenda Bartholomew said $28,600 annually, and $31,200 if the County changes the
living wage to $15 in January 2018, as recommended.
Commissioner Burroughs asked if there could be a conversation in the future regarding
the history of cost of living adjustments for retirees.
Commissioner Burroughs commended Brenda Bartholomew for her help with the Board
of Health's (BOH) Director search.
Commissioner Jacobs said he was unclear if the Manager's comments about the
performance bonuses were meant to be a response to Chair Dorosin's comments about the
percentage wage increase.
Bonnie Hammersley said she was talking about the performance awards.
Chair Dorosin said he was talking about the 2% increase, and possibly switching to a
dollar amount instead.
Commissioner Jacobs said he agrees that there is a disproportionate increase for those
at the higher end of the salary scale, and he would like to see this become more equitable.
Bonnie Hammersley said staff is looking into all of this, and perhaps a tiered approach
would be helpful.
Commissioner Rich asked if the wage increases compare to surrounding entities.
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Bonnie Hammersley said Chapel Hill was giving 2.5%, and Carrboro about the same,
but the County offers health insurance with no increases this year, as the County absorbed the
cost.
Commissioner Rich said she would like to make sure that the County is competitive.
o Compression reduction plan - $250,000
o Health insurance increase (active employees) - $524,433
• Employee Pay and Benefits — page 497
o Living wage increase to $13.75 effective 7/1/17 for all employees
consistent with OC Living Wage - $101,000
o Implementation plan for $15.00 per hour living wage for permanent
employees effective 1/1/18 - $30,000
Commissioner McKee said many FTEs are over this level, and asked if the number of
affected employees could be identified.
Brenda Bartholomew said going to $13.75 per hour only affects about 5 FTEs, and she
is unsure of the number of FTEs going to $15 per hour
Chair Dorosin asked if she would send this information to the Board.
Commissioner Jacobs said he was not sure if the ABC Board made a decision to pay
the living wage to their part-time employees, and asked if Chair Dorosin would write a letter
stating that the Board of County Commissioners will expect the ABC Board to pay this wage.
Commissioner McKee said he would like to follow up with the ABC Board to get exact
details, before that letter is sent.
Commissioner Jacobs said it still may be beneficial to state to the Board's policy, as it is
a guiding principle.
Chair Dorosin and Commissioner Rich asked if a press release, on all of these benefits,
can be put out after the budget is passed.
Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
o Eight hours of annual leave on employee's anniversary date, prorated for
part time employees
o Six weeks paid parental leave
o Salary savings increased by $500,000 to $2 million based on experience
o Retiree health insurance cost increase - $215,237
Commissioner Price said she has heard from staff and community members that are
responsible for taking care of elderly parents, and asked if County employees have requested
leave for this type of care.
Brenda Bartholomew said this need has not come forward, but that type of leave would
be FMLA qualified.
Chair Dorosin said a new search has begun for a Health Director.
Brenda Bartholomew said yes, and an external recruiting firm will be used. She said
the process should begin this month, and there may be a job offer made by early September.
Chair Dorosin asked if there is a status update regarding the Housing and Human
Services Director position.
Bonnie Hammersley said two panels interviewed the candidates for this position earlier
today, and tomorrow she and Travis Myren will interview the finalists, put forward by those
panels. She said a decision will be made next week.
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Information Technologies
• Information Technologies, Pg. 388
o Total expenditure budget - $3,328,135
o Software maintenance and licenses - $160,824
— Negotiating multi-year contracts when available and produce
stability, predictability and cost savings
• Non-Departmental, Pg. 422
Commissioner Jacobs said there is a bill in the legislature on how technology is
distributed by tower, and there is talk to put technology appendages on power poles. He said
he would like there to be an analysis on this issue, especially as the County is considering the
building of several large towers.
Commissioner McKee asked if there is anything in the Information Technology budget
about pilot projects for technologies such as repeaters on school buses to increase the
broadband in rural areas.
Jim Northup, Chief Information Officer, said there is no line item for research and
development, but the Department tries to explore technology to improve current networking
technology. He said he has been focusing on improving broadband around the County for the
past few years, and the hotspot option at the library was one successful outcome.
Commissioner McKee said the reality of modern education requires that families have
access to the internet, and broadband must be improved in the County.
Jim Northup said there is $500,000 earmarked in the Capital Improvement Plan for a
grant to help improve broadband in Orange County, which will focus on the northern rural
areas and some western areas of the County.
Commissioner Price suggested that Jim Northup talk with Google about securing
broadband on school buses.
Commissioner Rich said she met this morning with Lilyn Hester, Google's Head of
External Affairs for NC and SC, who is working on these types of projects around the State, all
of which have been grant funded.
Commissioner Burroughs said this is a topic to add to the Board's meeting with the
schools in the fall, and if residents with school aged children are contacting the Board of
County Commissioners (BOCC), those residents should be encouraged to lobby their school
boards. She asked if buses under the purview of the County have Wi-Fi.
Commissioner Price said if Lilyn Hester could talk to school administrators to try and
help sell the idea.
Jim Northup said such a meeting would be under the Manager's purview.
Bonnie Hammersley said she will bring it up at the superintendent's meeting next week.
Commissioner Jacobs said he was told that Orange County Schools' (OCS) bus drivers
do not drive the buses home at night so the transponder would just sit in the garage. He
suggested speaking to Fire and EMS stations to allow the County to add transmitters to their
buildings, as well as other County and community buildings.
Commissioner Rich said Lilyn Hester knows about the County's hot spot program, and
she believed that Ms. Hester has spoken to the superintendents.
Chair Dorosin said there are some mistakes on green sheet.
Bonnie Hammersley said staff will correct these issues.
Chair Dorosin referred to the last item, in which Commissioner Burroughs has
requested to add $1.75 million to the schools, from the lowering of the reserve percentage. He
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said it was his understanding that the excess funds would be given in part to schools, and in
part to other areas.
Bonnie Hammersley said the BOCC vote was on lowering the percentage, and not on
the uses of the fund. She said her recommendation was for the schools to receive $1.3
million, with $514,000 remaining for BOCC amendments. She said Commissioner Burroughs
requested an additional $450,000 from the remaining $514,000 also be added to the schools'
allotment.
Commissioner Rich clarified that any funds going to the schools are only for one-time
capital costs.
Commissioner Burroughs and the Manager said yes.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m.
Mark Dorosin, Chair
Donna Baker
Clerk to the Board