B053111
New Hanover County
Board of Social Services
May 31, 2011
Meeting Minutes
Multi Purpose Room A
11 AM -12 Noon
The New Hanover County Board of Social Services met in open session on Tuesday,
May 31, 2011 at 11:00 in Conference Room 153 of the New Hanover County
Department of Social Services.
ATTENDING: John Craig, Chairman; Patrick Riley, Vice Chairman; Evelyn Bryant;
and Diana Woolley
ALSO ATTENDING: LaVaughn Nesmith, Secretary to the Board; Stephanie
Monteath, Assistant to the Director
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 11:02 a.m. Mr. Craig asked for a motion
to approve the agenda. Ms. Woolley moved for approval of the agenda. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Riley and passed unanimously.
Mr. Nesmith led the invocation. Ms. Woolley led the pledge of allegiance.
STRATEGIC ACTION AGENDA
Strategic Planning Discussion about State Shortfalls
Mr. Nesmith noted the County Budget Hearing will be June 6, 2011 at and DSS is on
the agenda for 6:20 P.M.
Karen Graham reviewed the recommended budget document showing the expected
items to be included and reduced for fiscal year 11/12.
Four positions are likely to be restored (thawed). Currently it is expected that the
days of furlough will be eliminated. Several County Commissioners equate this
elimination of furlough as the equivalent of 4 full time employees. The department
did incur overtime in an effort to meet the needs of the public due to the reduction in
force and furlough. Luckily, there was stimulus money available to assist with the
overtime and several temporary employees.
The County plans to increase funding for temporary employees. Director Nesmith
has been able to creatively move staff from programs losing funding into areas of the
agency that were short handed, such as Food and Nutrition Services and Child
Protective Services.
The Northwoods automation project is still in the budget.
Administrative travel will be reduced by $4,000.00 to reflect actual expenditures of
the past few years.
Page 2 of 2
Employee reimbursement will be reduced $30,000.00.
The number and amount of cell phone reimbursement will be reduced by $6,060.00.
DSS has requested 3 vehicles but will only get 1 (2 vehicles will be replaced in FY
10/11).
The requested scanners and replacement computers have been eliminated from the
budget FY 11/12 as well as the scanners were purchases within this fiscal year.
In this current FY 10/11, DSS replaced the front doors and modified the entrance for
additional security for the building. We were approved to recover the ripped and
broken chairs in the lobby.
Ms. Woolley feels a Board presence is very important in the County budget hearing.
Mr. Craig noted former Commissioner Caster shared that traditionally decisions about
the budget are already decided before going into the budget hearing. Ms. McNamee
noted the County Budget Department asked the County Commissioners at their last
meeting to let County Administration know of all desired changes prior to the budget
hearing. Board of Social Services members will be present at the budget hearing but
unless there is a dramatic change, they will not request time to speak.
There were no motions.
Next Meeting Objectives
Regularly schedule June Board Meeting
Additional Items
As there were no further items to discuss as provided in G.S. 154A-98 to consider
information that is confidential pursuant to G.S. 108A-80 and or G.S. 154A-98, Mr.
Craig asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Woolley moved to adjourn the meeting at
11:43. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bryant and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
LaVaughn Nesmith,
Secretary to the Board
John E. Craig,
Chairman
B053111