HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-13-2017 1
1 DRAFT MINUTES
2 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
3 BUDGET WORK SESSION
4 June 13, 2017
5 7:00 p.m.
6
7 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Budget Work Session on Tuesday,
8 June 13, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Building, in Hillsborough, N.C.
9
10 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Dorosin and Commissioners Mia Burroughs,
11 Mark Dorosin, Barry Jacobs, Earl McKee, Mark Marcoplos, Renee Price and Penny Rich
12 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
13 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: Staff Attorney Anne Marie Tosco
14 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
15 Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
16 appropriately below)
17
18 Chair Dorosin called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
19
20 1. Discussion with County Departments within the following Functional Leadership
21 Teams (FLT), including Operations and Fee Schedule Changes:
22
23 Commissioner McKee introduced Gail Abrams, the retiring Director of the Piedmont
24 Wildlife, and Joshua Starling, the new Director.
25 Commissioner Marcoplos said he sent out an email about the "We are still in" petition,
26 as related to climate change, and said the wording of the petition was nearly identical to the
27 resolution passed by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) last week. He
28 recommended that the BOCC sign on to the petition as part of its resolution.
29 Commissioner McKee said he is happy to do so as long as the vote is done in a public
30 meeting, and not over email.
31 Commissioner Price echoed Commissioner McKee.
32
33 A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Marcoplos to
34 add signing on to the "We are still in" petition.
35
36 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
37
38 Travis Myren noted the following items at the Commissioners' places:
39 - White sheets: two corrections to fee schedules for Solid Waste and Animal Services.
40 - Single green sheet: created at the request of the Board of County Commissioners about the
41 CIP process.
42 - Green sheet with attachments: list of proposed amendments to the budget
43
44 Chair Dorosin asked the members of the Human Services Functional Leadership
45 Teams to introduce themselves.
46 Travis Myren made the following PowerPoint presentation:
47
48 Budget Work Session #3
49 Human Services
2
1 Community Services
2 Capital Investment Plan
3 June 13, 2017
4 Richard Whitted Meeting Facility
5 Human Services (Functional Leadership Ranking Form, Pg. 535)
6 • Aging, Pg. 41
7 • Total expenditure budget - $2,072,869
8 • Assistive Listening Devices for each Senior Center - $7,200
9 • Living wage increase for In-Home Aide contracts - $3,619
10
11 Commissioner Price asked if the requested, but non-funded items, could be identified.
12 Janice Tyler, Department on Aging Director, said there were furnishings and an
13 administrative position that were not funded.
14 Paul Laughton, Finance and Administrative Services, said many departments have
15 decreases in the recurring expenses line item.
16 Commissioner Price asked if there was more information about the unfunded
17 administrative position.
18 Janice Tyler said the position was to increase the Volunteer Connect Coordinator
19 position from 20 hours to 40 hours per week, due to bringing the training component of Project
20 Engage in house.
21 Commissioner Rich referred to page 46, and the number of calls responded to on the
22 aging transition helpline. She asked if more information could be provided about this helpline.
23 Janice Tyler said a social work team staffs this helpline, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on
24 weekdays. She said this helpline receives 3000+ phones calls per year, and is an aging
25 helpline. She said it is paid staff, and there are Chinese and Spanish helplines as well.
26 Commissioner Jacobs asked how staff would respond to a caller seeking advice on
27 home repairs.
28 Janice Tyler said staff does not recommend vendors, but if the caller is low income they
29 are referred to the Housing department.
30 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a way to coordinate with Economic
31 Development to create a list of area providers (plumbers, electricians, etc.), without stating a
32 preference.
33 Bonnie Hammersley said within the recommended budget, there is a position in the
34 Housing Department that will coordinate these types of requests, with a list of preferred
35 vendors.
36 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
37
38 • Cardinal Innovations, Pg. 93 (2 graphs)
39 • Total Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funding - $1,355,974
40 • Reallocation of$177,000 from UNC Hospital
41 • County programs and services
42 • Mental Health Liaison for Court Involved Youth - $35,266
43 • Behavioral health study in Public Health - $80,000
44 • Contracted services
45 • Freedom House lab services and medication for indigent patients
46 - $80,500
47
48 Commissioner McKee referred to the two group homes and asked if progress is being
49 tracked.
3
1 Travis Myren said yes. He referred to the contracted services on slide 3, where New
2 Destinations is the housing program. He said there is an on site program manager there to
3 insure bills are paid and utilities current.
4 Rick Bruton from Cardinal Innovation said rates have been renegotiated with the
5 existing provider, who will now remain and continue to provide services.
6 Chair Dorosin asked if the enhanced rate means that Cardinal Innovations is going to
7 pay providers more in order to keep the facilities open.
8 Rick Bruton said yes.
9 Chair Dorosin referred to the first slide - contracted services -where there are two
10 Department of Social Services (DSS) line items at the bottom. He asked if these services are
11 paid to DSS and then contracted out, or if these services are in-house.
12 Travis Myren said these are contracted providers through Cardinal Innovations, but
13 serving DSS clients.
14 Nancy Coston, DSS Director, said these services may or may be contracted through
15 Cardinal Innovations. She said the goal is to find the best fit to provide these needed services,
16 and it is still a work in progress.
17 Commissioner Price asked if there could be clarification provided regarding allocation
18 from the University of North Carolina (UNC).
19 Travis Myren said those were funds that were going to the hospital for services
20 provided in the emergency room. He said these services will still be provided, but written off as
21 bad debt if a patient is unable to pay, rather than using MOU funds.
22 Commissioner Price asked if there is a cap that the hospital will accept.
23 Travis Myren said no.
24 Commissioner Burroughs referred to the behavioral health study and asked from where
25 it was generated.
26 Dorothy Cilenti, Interim Health Director, said the Health Department originally requested
27 a physician in its budget, but decided on a consultant first in order to determine how best to
28 serve children in the school systems.
29 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
30
31 • Child Support Services, Pg. 95
32 • Total expenditure budget - $1,062,393
33 • No significant budget changes
34
35 Commissioner Rich asked if page 96 could be further explained.
36 Erica Bryant, Deputy Director of Child Support, said the collected monies go to the
37 families, unless they are receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), in which
38 case the funds go to reimburse the State. She said the statement on page 96 meant that,
39 during the recession, many obligations were reduced to a lower amount; and many families
40 have not recovered since then, and the obligations remain lower than they should be.
41 Commissioner Rich asked if the levels have come back up since recession.
42 Erica Bryant said the money is given to the families successfully, and the number of
43 support collections has steadily increased; but the amount due has remained low. She said in
44 very recent months, some obligations have begun to rise again, but this is not happening
45 across the board.
46 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
47
48 • Health Department, Pg. 362
49 • Total expenditure budget - $9,854,522
4
1 • Finance and Administrative Services Division
2 • Secure patient voice and texting system - $13,844
3 • Appointments, exam reminders, transportation assistance
4 • Dental Health Division
5 • Revenue reduction due to increase in self pay/sliding scale
6 patients compared to Medicaid and commercial insurance -
7 $49,449
8 • Health Promotion and Education Services Division
9 • Language and interpreter services due to increased demand -
10 $5,650
11 • Family Success Alliance
12 o New cohort of 90 children entering pipeline (Kindergarten
13 Readiness Camp)
14 o New cohort of 45 families served by navigators; 120 total
15 families enrolled (serving approx. 360 children)
16 o Total FY2017-18 increase of$269,406
17 • General fund contribution - $47,688
18 • Medicaid Maximization Funds - $216,404
19 o Total general fund contribution - $547,891
20
21 Commissioner McKee asked if there could be a presentation/update this fall on the
22 Family Success Alliance (FSA).
23 Commissioner Jacobs said the previous Health Director met with the Board last fall,
24 and mentioned there was going to be an aggressive approach to secure more grant funds for
25 FSA. He asked if any grant funds are reflected in this budget.
26 Dorothy Cilenti said one of the identified resources is the Keenan Charitable Trust, and
27 the Health Department is in conversation with them for some possible funds in 2018. She said
28 there have been private cash and in-kind donations, and other grants are being pursued,
29 including a relationship with UNC. She said this will all take some time, but she is hopeful.
30 Commissioner Jacobs asked if a full update on this could be included in the
31 presentation in the fall, as well as expected funds for 2018.
32 Commissioner Price suggested that the success results of FSA be used as a
33 promotional tool to secure more grant funding.
34 Dorothy Cilenti said that is a wonderful suggestion, and there has been some media
35 coverage lately on the FSA.
36 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
37
38 • Environmental Health Division — Fee table page 555
39 • Final year of full cost recovery implementation
40 • Temporary personnel increase for Wastewater Treatment
41 Management Program (WTMP) inspections - $18,375
42 • Lab services increase due to increased demand - $15,000
43
44 • Personal Health Services Division
45 • Contracted Audiologist - $77,597 funded by State and off-setting
46 revenue
47 • Medicaid revenue increase — ($39,983)
48 • State revenue increase for family planning, refugee health,
49 speech and hearing - ($146,332)
5
1
2 Chair Dorosin asked if there could be clarification about the part-time position.
3 Dorothy Cilenti said this would be a seasonal position.
4 Chair Dorosin asked if this is one person.
5 Dorothy Cilenti said they may be inspectors from other counties that want extra work,
6 and some are retired inspectors.
7 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
8
9 • Housing, Human Rights & Community Development, Pg. 374
10 • Total expenditure budget - $6,055,782
11 • Administration Division
12 • No significant budget changes
13 • Housing Choice Voucher Program
14 • Housing Rehabilitation Specialist to assist with required
15 inspections - $53,622 to start on 1/1/18
16 • Community Development Division
17 — Recognize two (2) new grants for urgent repair and housing
18 rehabilitation from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency -
19 ($325,000)
20 — Housing Resource Coordinator to coordinate and support
21 rehabilitation programs - $32,222 to start on 1/1/18
22 — Housing displacement funds to promote housing stabilization and
23 prevent homelessness - $67,778
24 » Technical amendment to add funds with offsetting
25 expense reduction
26
27 Commissioner Marcoplos said Habitat for Humanity had funds, and asked if there are
28 other funding sources.
29 Annette Moore, Interim Housing, Human Rights, and Community Development Director,
30 said there are other sources: HOME monies; Urgent Repair monies from the County; and two
31 North Carolina Housing Finance Agency grants. She hopes these funds will be pooled and
32 leveraged against the community partners, so as to avoid doing double duty.
33 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the grant total of available funds is known.
34 Annette Moore said she will find out and send information to the Board.
35 Commissioner Jacobs asked if the number of section 8 holders in Orange County is
36 known, and how many people are waiting.
37 Annette Moore said there are 623 vouchers, and of those vouchers there are 558
38 people who have vouchers, and there are 42 vouchers on the street, meaning those who are
39 looking for housing. She said some of the vouchers are being saved, because starting on July
40 1 there will be a "homeless" preference in the Section 8 Administrative Plan.
41 Commissioner Jacobs said there is a good chance that the federal government will cut
42 Section 8 funding, and asked if the County has any contingency plan.
43 Annette Moore said there may be a decrease in the housing choice voucher funds in
44 2018, and the Housing Resource Coordinator will incentivize landlords, as well as educate
45 landlords about the program to increase the pool of landlords.
46 Commissioner Price asked if the items being cut from the requested budget could be
47 identified.
6
1 Annette Moore said her department requested a housing displacement fund of
2 $100,000, and received $67,000. She said that fund is used to intervene when people are
3 going to lose their housing, as well as looking at obstacles to getting housing.
4 Commissioner Price said the federal government makes her nervous.
5 Travis Myren said staff will keep the Board posted on the fund.
6 Commissioner Jacobs said since this is a new fund, it would be reasonable to see how
7 it works, and amend the budget via the social justice fund if necessary.
8 Chair Dorosin said some of the rehab funds have restrictions, and he asked if there is
9 any pot of funding that is flexible in its use.
10 Annette Moore said the County funds are flexible.
11 Commissioner Price said she would like a report half way through the pilot program,
12 and to let the Board know if more funding is needed.
13 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
14
15 • Human Rights and Relations Division
16 — No significant budget changes
17 • Library Services, Pg. 392
18 • Total expenditure budget - $2,243,717
19 • No significant budget changes
20
21 Lucinda Munger showed them a version of the "Wi-Fi-to-go" product that they use in
22 their rental program. She thanked the Board for its support of this program.
23 Commissioner McKee asked if demand for this product is greater than the availability.
24 Lucinda Munger said yes, which is an ongoing problem.
25 Commissioner McKee asked if Lucinda Munger knows how many units would be
26 needed in order to modify the waiting list.
27 Lucinda Munger said she could talk to Jim Northup and report back to the Board in the
28 fall.
29 Commissioner Rich said she spent time with Google last week, who is aware of and
30 supportive of this program.
31 Lucinda Munger said the demand can probably never be met. She said it is not the
32 cost of the product, but rather the subscription service that is the on-going expense. She said
33 there are grant funds available for the units, but not for the subscription service.
34 Commissioner Jacobs supported Commissioner McKee's comments, and said he would
35 like to have an idea of what the County could fund to try and meet more of the demand.
36 Commissioner Price asked if an update could be provided on the Southern Branch
37 Library.
38 Bonnie Hammersley said this will be provided during the capital review.
39 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
40
41 • Social Services, Pg. 465
42 • Total expenditure budget - $18,762,040
43 • Administration Division
44 • No significant budget changes
45 • Child and Family Services
46 • Second Family Program Expansion to mentor and transport youth
47 to employment and fitness activities — ($112,538)
48 o Add three (3) 0.5 FTE staff
49 o All costs are reimbursed by the Foundation
7
1 • Two time limited Child Welfare Social Workers (six months) to
2 assist with transitioning Child Welfare programs to NC FAST
3 system - $33,000 net cost
4 • Living wage increase for In-Home Aide contracts - $40,425
5
6 Commissioner Price asked if there are services available for foster children who are
7 aging out of the system at age 18.
8 Nancy Coston said there are a number of services available. She said federal rules
9 have changed, and 18 year olds are allowed to voluntarily continue their involvement with
10 DSS. She said children can remain in foster care, or the equivalent funds can be used
11 towards rent, or establishment of an independent life. She said any plan is done in
12 conjunction with the child and the social worker. She said there is an independent living
13 program to teach life skills to middle to upper teenagers.
14 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
15
16 • Economic Services
17 • Food and Nutrition/Employment and Training revenue increase
18 ($340,000)
19 o Staff salaries
20 o Participant Expenses
21 • 7 of 16 participants (44%) are employed outside of
22 the program
23 o Navigator position with Durham Tech
24 • 72 contacts leading to 141 course enrollments
25 • Revenue increase for the DSS client operated café — ($21,000)
26
27 • Public Assistance
28 • Transfer expense and revenue for medical transportation to
29 Orange Public Transportation Department— ($55,000)
30 • Subsidy
31 • Remove expense and revenue ($1,000,528) related to Smart
32 Start Subsidy for Child Day Care
33 • State will make payments directly to providers in FY2017-18
34
35 • Non-Departmental, Pg. 407
36 • Total budgeted expenditures - $1,418,326
37 • See Outside Agency recommendations
38 • No additional significant budget changes
39
40 Community Services (Functional Leadership Ranking Form, Pg. 533)
41 • Animal Services, Pg. 52
42 • Total expenditure budget - $2,153,392
43 • Administration Division
44 • Microchipping included in the adoption package for cats and
45 dogs, increasing adoption fee by $5 to $20
46 • Increase the Out of County surrender fee from $50 to $60
47 • Animal Shelter Division
48 • Increase in boarding fees
49 o Regular boarding - $2 increase to $12 per day
8
1 o Quarantine and court ordered boarding - $3 increase to
2 $18 per day
3 o Horses and other large animals — new $25 per day fee
4 • Animal Control and Protection Division
5 • Municipal service revenue changes
6 o Carrboro — increase of$6,936 due to average staff costs
7 o Chapel Hill — decrease of$1,092 due to staff cost
8 o Hillsborough — increase of$10,228 due to call volume and
9 indirect costs
10 • Increase in the in-field surrender fee of$15 to $25
11
12 Commissioner Price asked if the increase in fees will deter people from surrendering
13 animals.
14 Bob Marotto said the department works with people to make a payment plan, and the
15 department would never turn anyone away.
16 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is an update on animals that are raised for fighting
17 purposes.
18 Bob Marotto said dog and cock fighting is an ongoing issue and battle, and the
19 department works with partners outside of the County as well.
20 Commissioner Jacobs asked if this problem has decreased at all.
21 Bob Marotto said that is unknown and it is an ongoing battle, and he believed more of
22 this has gone underground.
23 Bob Marotto said a piece of public art will be added to the Animal Services facility on
24 June 29th
25 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
26
27 • Cooperative Extension, Pg. 101
28 • Total expenditure budget - $384,280
29 • Loss of Farm to Fork Event (to Chatham County)— expense and revenue
30 decrease of$24,500
31 • Increase hours of an existing administrative support position - $14,437
32
33 • Department of Environment, Agriculture, and Parks & Recreation (DEAPR), Pg. 122
34 • Total expenditure budget - $4,064,865
35 • Community Center Reorganization - $56,559 net new funding
36 • Reallocate funds previously used for Coordinator
37 • Contracted operations with Neighborhood Associations
38 • Associations hire Center Coordinator, temporary staff
39 • Total Community Center appropriation - $260,435
40 • Cedar Grove Community Center $89,609
41 • Efland Cheeks Community Center $85,881
42 • Rogers Road Community Center $84,945
43
44 Commissioner Price asked if all three community centers should receive an equal
45 amount of funds.
46 Travis Myren said all requests were fully funded.
47 David Stancil, DEAPR Director, said the personnel and recurring capital costs are the
48 same at all three centers, and the difference arises in the requests for operating costs.
49 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
9
1
2 • Recreation Program Assistant - $50,212
3 • Assist with tournament programming at Soccer.com
4 • Family Success Alliance collaborative work
5 • Funded by increasing recreation fee revenue projections —
6 ($64,843)
7
8 Chair Dorosin asked if next year's budget presentation could contain a line pertaining to
9 net cost.
10 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a planned expansion of the soccer complex.
11 David Stancil said this process is in the preliminary stage of design bubble concepts.
12 Commissioner Jacobs asked if the soccer community is a part of the discussions.
13 David Stancil said this is a possible. He said the big questions will center on the
14 desired investment and the desired surface for the facility. He said these questions are very
15 tied up in the potential for partnerships with soccer organizations and local governments, and
16 there is a lot of communication with these soccer organizations.
17 Commissioner Jacobs suggested speaking to the Town of Mebane about its possible
18 participation.
19 David Stancil said many people from Mebane do use fields. He said Chapel Hill has
20 been successful at re-tasking the fields at Homestead Road, with the support of some soccer
21 organizations.
22 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is an update on the payment in lieu study.
23 Craig Benedict, Planning Director, said it is a two-phase project, and part of the first
24 phase was connected to the DEAPR master plan. He said that plan now needs to contain
25 some capital facility level of service, and then costs can be determined thereafter.
26 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is an expectation that the fees will be challenged,
27 either by the legislature or developers.
28 David Stancil said there is still local legislation.
29 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the work pace on the Mountains to the Sea trail
30 would increase with more funding.
31 David Stancil said there is sufficient funding, and there are other reasons for the pace
32 being slower, such as state parks, working with Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA),
33 timing, etc.
34 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
35
36 • Economic Development, Pg. 139, including Article 46 Sales Tax Fund, Pg. 63
37 • Total expenditure budget - $578,725
38 • No significant budget changes
39 • Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau — page 143
40 • Total expenditure budget - $1,459,003 — offset by occupancy tax
41 • Occupancy tax revenue increase of 5% — ($60,635)
42 • Additional advertising and sales funds to promote overnight tourism -
43 $36,000
44
45 Commissioner Rich said it would be nice to highlight a business each month that
46 receives some of the Article 46 tax monies.
47 Steve Brantley, Economic Development Director, said the department has been having
48 events at local businesses to spotlight them, and this will continue on a monthly basis.
10
1 Commissioner Rich said to work with Todd McGee to publicize these events more
2 widely.
3 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
4
5 • Article 46 Sales Tax— page 63
6 • Total projected collections - $3,511,492
7 • 50% allocated to Schools and distributed by average daily membership
8 (ADM)
9 • Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools - $1,055,203 for technology
10 and facility improvements
11 • Orange County Schools - $700,543 for technology
12 • Article 46 Sales Tax— page 63
13 • 50% allocated to Economic Development - $1,755,746 (table/graph)
14
15 Commissioner McKee asked if funding will be coming out of this tax to assist the
16 Hillsborough Economic Development District (EDD) with utility projects.
17 Craig Benedict said yes.
18 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the EDD summit is the reclaiming of the "State of the
19 Economy".
20 Travis Myren said there will be discussion with the Board about what form this will take.
21 Chair Dorosin asked if the phrase "Local Fest Planning" could be changed to "County
22 Fair Planning".
23 Commissioner Jacobs said there used to be a State of the Economy Breakfast for
24 years, and it would be nice for this to occur again, and for it to be County driven.
25 Commissioner Price asked if the Economic Summit or the County Fair will generate any
26 revenue.
27 Travis Myren said it is possible that there will be revenue generated. He said the
28 Agricultural Summit does not generate significant revenue. He said there will likely be an
29 entrance fee to the Economic Summit.
30 Commissioner Price asked if anything is being planned to replace the revenue lost from
31 Farm to Fork being discontinued.
32 Bonnie Hammersley said it is the intention that the Local Fest/County Fair will replace
33 the revenue from the loss of the Farm to Fork event. She said it would be an affordable, family
34 and community oriented event, and planning would occur this year for an event in 2018.
35 Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Manager would look into the possibility of having an
36 in house grant writer for the County.
37 Bonnie Hammersley said that was one of her goals when she first arrived at the
38 County, but resources were limited. She said she will continue to look at this going forward.
39 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
40
41 • Orange Public Transportation (OPT), Pg. 425
42 • Total expenditure budget - $1,556,943
43 • Personnel for Bus Services Expansion — 3 new routes
44 • Reduce temporary personnel costs — ($140,000)
45 • Replace temporary staff with Six (6) Public Transportation Drivers
46 with staggered start dates - $99,981
47 • Public Transportation Scheduler/Dispatcher - $52,700
48 • Transportation Demand Management Coordinator - $31,196 net
49 cost
11
1 o 50% offset by grant funds
2 • Scheduling and Routing Software - $14,780
3 • New buses (2) - $60,000 to fund County's share of new bus purchases
4
5 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the duties of the Transportation Demand
6 Management Coordinator could be clarified.
7 Travis Myren said there are some transportation alternatives that will be studied and
8 hopefully implemented, such as: ride share, bus passes, etc.
9 Commissioner McKee asked if any thought has been given to the funds that will come
10 back into the County if the Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) does not approve the light
11 rail project (LRT). He said he wants to make sure there were contingency plans in place.
12 Theo Letman, OPT Director, said these discussions have just started with Chapel Hill
13 Transit and Go Triangle.
14 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a strategy on buses in terms of fuel, size, etc.
15 Theo Letman said staff is looking for more efficiency, such as going to a smaller
16 vehicle. He said smaller vehicles would not require CDL operators.
17 Commissioner Jacobs said Raleigh is investing $1 million in CNG fueled vehicles,
18 which the County had moved away from.
19 Theo Letman said Raleigh likely has the infrastructure and resources to handle those
20 types of buses, and these buses require a great deal of maintenance.
21 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
22
23 • Planning and Inspections, Pg. 440
24 • Total expenditure budget - $3,494,246
25 • Personnel for Inspections — revenue supported ($237,033)
26 • Property Development Specialist - $57,724
27 • Property Development Technician - $53,593
28 • Temporary personnel - $55,000
29
30 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if more details could be provided about these
31 positions.
32 Craig Benedict said these positions are multi-functionally trained staff, who are primarily
33 office expediters of permits; walking permits through Environmental Health, Engineering,
34 Planning, etc. He said an additional inspector joined the department this year, which has
35 helped greatly with fieldwork.
36 Commissioner Marcoplos suggested that these positions be called
37 permitting/inspectors, in order to communicate to the public more clearly what these positions
38 will be doing.
39 Chair Dorosin asked if the money that can only be used in this department will be used
40 for overhead, allowing more flexible funds to be used elsewhere.
41 Travis Myren said yes. He resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
42
43 • Solid Waste, Pg. 478
44 • Total expenditure budget - $13,130,462
45 • Solid Waste Program Fee
46 • Increase of$21 to $128 per parcel — ($1.2 million)
47 • First year of 5 year planned phase in to $148
48 • Replace large service truck and light duty pickup - $144,903
12
1 • Increase hours of operation by one hour per day to 4:00 PM Monday
2 through Friday
3 • Replacement scales for new Eubanks Road Convenience Center -
4 $85,250
5 • Reintroduce mulch delivery fee - $225 - $375 per delivery determined by
6 volume
7
8 • Solid Waste — page 478
9 • Planning and Strategic Waste Reduction goal setting contract -
10 $100,000
11 • Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) initiative to define waste
12 reduction target
13 • Recycling - compactor receiver boxes (4), skidsteer and trailer -
14 $169,712
15 • High Rock Road Waste & Recycling Center - $659,784
16 • Equipment for Waste & Recycling Centers - $586,425
17 • Mattress collection program at Eubanks Road and Walnut Grove
18 Centers effective 1/1/18
19
20 Commissioner McKee asked if more detail could be provided about the mattress
21 collection program.
22 Gayle Wilson said mattresses will be collected at the two district centers: Eubanks and
23 Walnut Grove. He said residents can bring mattresses in, at no cost. He said the mattress
24 brought to Walnut Grove will go to the Durham transfer station, and the ones brought to
25 Eubanks Road during landfill hours, will be diverted to the landfill at no cost to the resident. He
26 said if the landfill is closed, the mattresses will be accepted at the Eubanks Road center. He
27 said there will be no charge for residents, and a $10 fee for commercially generated
28 mattresses.
29 Commissioner McKee said this is a very reasonable arrangement, and he is glad to
30 hear this update.
31 Gayle Wilson said there will be a marketing push to spread the word about this new
32 program in January 2018.
33 Commissioner McKee referred to the fee program, and said $148 is an exorbitant fee,
34 and it is really a tax, which he opposed from the beginning.
35 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if Durham charges for mattresses to be brought to the
36 transfer station.
37 Gayle Wilson said it is usually a flat rate, unless there is a large amount, in which case
38 the charge is based on the weight.
39 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if Gayle Wilson knew how many trips will be involved in
40 hauling these mattresses to Durham.
41 Gayle Wilson said about 40 trips in a year.
42 Chair Dorosin said he would like to get a summary of how much money the County
43 spends on consultants countywide.
44 Travis Myren said this would be Gayle Wilson's last budget session, as he will be
45 retiring in August after 28 years.
46 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
47
48 • Sportsplex, Pg. 488
49 • Total expenditure budget - $3,570,583
13
1 • Debt Service allocation
2 • $556,341 paid by Sportsplex
3 • $168,009 paid by General Fund for original facility purchase
4 • Program revenue projected at 2.5% increase over FY2016-17
5 • Program expenses projection at 0.9% increase over FY2016-17
6
7 • Non-Departmental, Pg. 398
8 • Total expenditure budget - $2,339,465
9 • No significant budget changes
10
11
12 2. To Continue Discussion and Prioritization of FY 2017-22 Capital Investment Plan
13 Projects
14
15 CIP Prioritization —Alternative 1
16 Parking Lot Improvements
17 • AMS North moved from year 5 to years 6 to 10 ($1.6 million)
18 • Efland Cheeks Community Center parking lot ($300,000) removed — included in
19 Community Center project in Year 3
20
21 Southern Orange Campus
22 • $3.6 million in Medicaid revenue applied to the Public Health portion of the project
23 (medical and dental)
24 • $1.56 million debt financed for remaining portions of the building
25
26 Fiber Connectivity
27 • Moved $1.05 million from FY2018-19 and FY19-20 to years 6 to 10 — completes
28 Hillsborough project; delays full north/south fiber run (Chapel Hill to Cedar Grove) and
29 east/west fiber run (Buckhorn to Eno EDD)
30
31 ITGC Projects
32 • Removed $500,000 in years 2 and 4 due to project backlog
33
34 EMS Substations
35 • Retained two highest priority stations in Waterstone and Efland
36 • Others deferred pending location study and colocation partners
37
38 Radio System
39 • Removed $1.4 million from year 1 for engineering by funding with prior year
40 appropriation
41
42 Register of Deeds Automation
43 • Removed $400,000 by applying existing funding
44
45 Blackwood Farm Park
46 • Delays Park Operations Base ($2.5 million including design and equipment) to years 6
47 to 10 as alternatives are evaluated
48
49 Millhouse Road Park
14
1 • Delays park planning and development for two years
2
3 Northeast District Park
4 • Delays park planning and development for two years
5
6 TOTAL CIP IMPACT—Alternative 1
7 • Debt financing for County Capital in years one through five reduced by $22.4 million as
8 a result of project reorganizations
9
10 CIP Prioritization -Alternative 2 (page 34 of PowerPoint):
11
12 • Emergency Radio System Upgrade
13 o Move $12.3 million from years 2-5 to years 6-10
14 o Better define project need
15 o Refine cost estimates with vendor quotes
16 o Conduct cost share discussions with public safety agencies
17 o Improved project plan for next Capital Investment Plan
18
19 • Durham Tech Community College OC Campus Expansion
20 o Move $20 million from years 3-5 to years 6-10
21 o Maintain County share of planning funds ($547,911) in FY2018-19 to begin
22 conceptual design and project planning
23 o Explore outside revenue opportunities
24
25 Chair Dorosin said he thought that Durham Tech had taken this off the table.
26 Travis Myren said the Board has not formally adopted any of these changes, and
27 Durham Tech has said it finds this approach acceptable.
28 Commissioner McKee asked if the amount of savings to the general revenue fund, in
29 both of these alternatives, could be identified.
30 Travis Myren said Davenport provided an update on its debt service projections, but he
31 is unsure of the debt service impact. He said staff will try to provide an answer before the end
32 of the evening. He resumed the presentation:
33
34 • Efland Sewer to Mebane, Phase 2 Extension
35 o Article 46 Sales Tax
36 o CIP includes recommendation to increase project expenses
37 o Bid results eliminate need to $1.4 million in additional funds
38 o Bid award scheduled for June 20 meeting
39
40 Commissioner McKee asked if this $1.4 million would be a savings to the general fund
41 revenues, or a reduction in the amount of money borrowed.
42 Travis Myren said of Article 46 money.
43 Chair Dorosin asked if that would mean there would be an additional $1.4 million in
44 Article 46 funds to allocate.
45 Travis Myren said these capital projects manifest in debt service, so whatever debt
46 service was projected to be associated with the project would be reduced. He resumed the
47 PowerPoint presentation:
48
49 • Project Updates
15
1 o Detention Center
2 • Refocus siting study on two alternatives
3 Current Detention Center Site
4 Sheriff's parking lot adjacent to Courthouse
5
6 Commissioner McKee asked if the current detention center site could be done in
7 phases.
8 Travis Myren said yes.
9 Commissioner McKee said he would have some concerns about using the parking lot,
10 in case the Justice Center needed to be expanded in the future.
11 Commissioner Price said she had talked to judges that were excited about using the
12 parking lot due to close proximity.
13 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
14
15 o Environment and Agriculture Center
16 • Modify project page to reference the work of 2006 Ag Center Study
17 • Cornelius Street corridor study for siting alternatives
18 • Day lighting engineering study
19 • Mixed use alternatives investigation
20
21 Commissioner McKee asked if this project is going to be pushed back.
22 Travis Myren said that is not currently recommended, and a lot of questions should be
23 answered by the fall, and he would be better prepared to answer this question at that time.
24 Commissioner McKee said this project does not even resemble the project that was
25 discussed a couple of years ago.
26 Chair Dorosin said that is not a bad thing.
27 Commissioner McKee said he is concerned that the community that needs to be served
28 by this center has been forgotten.
29 Commissioner Marcoplos said it is worth a few more months to get this project right.
30 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
31
32 o Southern Human Services
33 • Modify project page to reference the County's commitment to provide
34 dental services in Southern Orange
35 o Blackwood Farm
36 • Studying grazing (using goats) opportunities to reduce or eliminate
37 mowing equipment
38 o Southern Branch Library
39 • Joint project with Town of Carrboro
40 • New space considerations for shared/common space
41 • Design process will re-evaluate size
42
43 Bonnie Hammersley said in December 2016 the Board authorized a letter of intent for
44 her and the Carrboro Town Manager to work on a development agreement. She said she will
45 be sharing information on the development agreement with the Board this evening. She said
46 the plan, for moving forward this summer, will be based on the outcome of the closed session
47 tonight. She said Carrboro has finished its studies, and progress is being made, albeit a bit
48 behind schedule.
49 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
50
16
1 o Projects with Offsetting Revenue/Operating Savings (chart)
2 • See green handout
3
4 • CIP Impact of Alternative 2
5 o CIP decrease of$32,661,537
6 o Alternative 1 and 2 combined decrease of$51,800,387
7 o Debt service policy compliance with tax adjustment and debt structuring
8
9 • New information
10 o $66,000 overstated in active/retiree health insurance
11 o Closing capital projects - $400,000 in excess loan proceeds applied to debt
12 service — relieves general fund on a one time basis
13
14 Commissioner Price asked if more planning money is being put in for the new library in
15 the next fiscal year.
16 Bonnie Hammersley said there is planning money from previous years. She said
17 construction money appears in year 2. She said the Town of Carrboro has put its money in FY
18 2018-19 and 2019-20, years 2 and 3.
19 Paul Laughton said he would like to follow up on the impact of alternatives 1 and 2, and
20 he referred to page 20 of the Davenport report in tonight's agenda packet. He said this
21 provides an update of alternative 2. He said there is about $1 million less in debt per year in
22 alternative 2 (in 2020), which grows to $2.2 million less in debt in 2021, and to $3.8 million less
23 in the following year. He said this reflects $60 million in debt reduction over the life.
24 Paul Laughton said the same packet for alternative 1 was presented in May.
25 Chair Dorosin clarified that there was a change from 5 cents to 4 cents related to an
26 upfront tax rate adjustment, and asked if there were other changes.
27 Paul Laughton said on alternative 1 it was 7.44 cents on the incremental tax rate
28 adjustment, and alternative 2, it was 5.76 cents on the incremental tax rate adjustment.
29 Chair Dorosin clarified the presentations that will occur at Thursday evening's meeting.
30 Commissioner Rich said she withdrew her amendment for outside funding for Planned
31 Parenthood, and she encouraged other Board members to do the same for like amendments.
32 She said she did this because the budget and outside agency process was a good one, and a
33 great deal of time and effort has been put into the recommendations before the Board, and the
34 Board should respect and honor these recommendations.
35 Commissioner Burroughs said she agreed with Commissioner Rich.
36 Commissioner Jacobs agreed, and withdrew his recommendation to give more money
37 to Planned Parenthood and the Adult Day Health Center, unless the latter is financially
38 unstable, in which case help may be warranted. He said he would like to keep his amendment
39 requests for WHUP getting $1,000, and monies for the veteran's memorial.
40
41 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner McKee to
42 add and go into a closed session at 9:36 p.m. for the purposes of:
43
44 "To discuss the County's position and to instruct the County Manager and County Attorney on
45 the negotiating position regarding the terms of a contract to purchase real property," NCGS §
46 143-318.11(a)(5). And the additional purpose of considering and giving instructions to an
47 attorney concerning the handling of the judicial action Carcano et al v. McCrory et al pursuant
48 to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3).
49
17
1
2 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
3
4 RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION
5
6 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner McKee to
7 reconvene into regular session at 10:30 p.m.
8
9 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
10
11 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price to
12 adjourn the meeting at 10:30 p.m.
13
14 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
15
16 Mark Dorosin, Chair
17
18 Donna Baker
19 Clerk to the Board
20
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