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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-05-23 Budget Work Session NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, MAY 23, 1995 BOOK 24 706 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Work Session on Tuesday, May 23, 1995, at 7:00 P.M. in Room 501 of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: Commissioners Sandra Barone; WilliamA. Caster; William E. Sisson, Jr.; vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.; Chairman Robert G. Greer; County Manager, Allen 0' Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell. Chairman Greer called the meeting to order. Discussion of For.mat for Future Budgets Commissioner Caster commented on the present format of the budget and requested the Budget Director to include the adopted budget for the previous fiscal year as part of the proposed budget for the next fiscal year in order to better compare figures. Budget Director, Cam Griffin, responded she would be glad to make the requested change. Discussion of Proposed School Budget Commissioner Sisson expressed concern about the following issues and reported he had written two letters to the members of the Board of Education with no response. (1) Deficiency of school books and supplies ln the classroom. (2) Hazardous conditions in chemistry labs. (3) Removal of two classrooms from an elementary school that were to be paid by bond proceeds because the bids received were too high. (4) One teacher for the academically and gifted program in the elementary schools with 57 students and no teacher's aide to assist with the paperwork. (5) No follow-up in the middle schools for the academically and gifted program. (6) The total lack of maintenance and repair to the schools with many roofs leaking in the classrooms while school is ln seSSlon. Commissioner Sisson advised the Board he was uncomfortable voting on the proposed budget until the Board of Education had prepared some type of plan to address these concerns. vice-Chairman Mathews strongly objected to the County appropriating funds for maintenance and repairs with no evidence that past funds had been spent for this purpose. He recommended withholding funds for a specific maintenance project until a request was presented showing the location of the project, the cost of the project, and dates for beginning and completing the project. County Manager 0' Neal reported the Commissioners would receive a written report from the members of Staff that recently visited the schools. There was concern about the conditions of the bathrooms and handicapped accessibility. He noted one point of encouragement was inclusion of monies in the maintenance line items in the proposed school budget. Chairman Greer expressed concern for the school administering the "new" three and four-year old Pre-Kindergarten Program, which would negatively impact private day care centers, when funds were not available to operate the current school programs. Commissioner Barone agreed and reported the new Pre-kindergarten Program will be NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, MAY 23, 1995 BOOK 24 707 funded through Chapter 1 funding, which is currently being used for the Reading Room Program to tutor children with reading problems. She strongly objected to the elimination of the reading program, which is badly needed and has proven to be successful. A lengthy discussion followed on the problems being incurred by the schools. Commissioner Caster expressed concern for these problems, but questioned the level of involvement by the County Commissioners in the appropriation and use of funds by the Board of Education, which is the elected body that should assume these responsibilities. A lengthy discussion was held on the use of bond proceeds. Commissioner Sisson recommended holding up the sale of bonds unless the proceeds were being used for the projects as outlined in the bond issue that was presented to the general public. Deputy County Manager, Andrew J. Atkinson, reported bond proceeds were being spent by the Board of Education in accordance with the amounts allocated to each school as listed in the bond order. Commissioner Sisson responded this was not the case at one school where staff had been informed that two new classrooms would be constructed as well as a school cafeteria extension. Months later, staff was informed that only the extension to the school cafeteria would be constructed. He, again, expressed concern for this type of change by the school administration. Deputy County Manager Atkinson advised that a consultant was not hired by the Board of Education in an effort to save money when determining the amount of funds needed for capital proj ects; therefore, rough estimates were used. For example, the pine Valley School project was to include walkways; however, when the estimate was received, the figure far exceeded the anticipated cost. Unfortunately, this type of situation could occur on other projects. Commissioner Sisson commented on having no desire to constantly argue with the Board of Education and reported some form of responsibility must be taken to address the lack of maintenance and spending of bond proceeds. He recommended withholding approval of the Capital Outlay section of the school budget until an accounting of last year's expenditures had been received. Discussion was held on school maintenance being contracted through the Property Management Department. County Manager O'Neal expressed concern for conflict areas that could arise and pointed out the County could be blamed for maintenance problems that have been neglected for the past 20 years. After further discussion, it was agreed to delay a decision on the funding at this time. Concern for Continued Annual Growth in the County Budget Commissioner Barone complimented the County Manager, Budget Director and Staff for an excellent job in preparing the proposed budget in accordance with the directions provided by the Board of County Commissioners. However, she expressed concern for the Board accepting the same budget format year after year with no attempt to reduce the number of departments or downsize government. She explained she had been elected to reduce the size of government, and, in her opinion, she had not fulfilled her commitment to the taxpayers as an elected official, which had become quite frustrating. County Manager O'Neal responded that many accomplishments had been made toward operating a more efficient government through automation in the County departments, particularly in the NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, MAY 23, 1995 BOOK 24 708 Department of Social Services. He advised these improvements would represent a savings within the next few years. Discussion of Proposed Budget Request for Cape Fear Community College Discussion was held on the proposed budget request for Cape Fear Community College. Commissioner Barone requested a breakdown of the funding request. Budget Director Griffin presented the following breakdown of County funding: $510,000 $365,000 $ 87,000 $ 44,500 Personnel Contracted Services Postage & Telephones Maintenance & Repairs Further discussion was held on the use of County funds. County Manager O'Neal reported counties are basically responsible for providing the infrastructure system for community colleges. Chairman Greer expressed concern for a 29% increase in the budget for Cape Fear Community College and reported if the schools and community college continue to present increased budgets annually, he feels sooner or later a line will have to be drawn and all agencies will have to remain at a certain funding level. County Manager O'Neal reported if the budget increases for the schools, Cape Fear Community College, and the WASTEC Facility were removed, the proposed FY 1995-96 increase for the general county government would be only 3.4%, which is less than inflation. Discussion of the WASTEC Facility County Manager O'Neal reported until flow control is addressed by Congress and the major hauler in the county returns garbage to WASTEC, there will be a revenue shortfall at the incinerator. Commissioner Caster expressed concern for people voting on a bond issue with the promise that incineration would work and generate enough revenue to cover the cost of operation. Now, 15 years later, the taxpayers are being told the tax rate will increase 3.5 cents to cover the shortfall. Chairman Greer advised that WASTEC was the responsibility of the County, and the debt service would have to be paid by the County. RECOMMENDED CHANGES FOR PROPOSED FY 1995-96 BUDGET The Board directed Staff to make the following changes: Veterans Council: Appropriate a total funding contribution of $35,000 for hiring a Veterans Service Officer at a cost of $29,285 with the remaining funds to be used for operating expenses. Delete the $5,000 allocated for building renovations. The auditing fee lS to be waived; however, the Internal Auditor will provide an accounting on the expenditure of funds. Sheriff's Department: After a lengthy discussion on the need to hire additional dispatchers to adequately monitor the 911 Center, the Board decided to reduce one dispatcher position with the understanding that if the Sheriff is not satisfied with this decision, the position would be reconsidered. The following positions were recommended: Five (5) dispatcher positions One (1) detective position One (1) Environmental Deputy NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, MAY 23, 1995 BOOK 24 709 Discussion was held on the poor condition of the vehicle currently being used by the Environmental Deputy. The County Manager was requested to discuss this matter with the Sheriff. Emergency Medical Services (EMS): The Board agreed to eliminate the request for a fourth shift at EMS. This will negate the need to hire 17 new employees at a savings of $617,627. Discussion was held on the EMS shifts and first responder system. Chairman Greer reported if consolidation should occur, he felt EMS could work out some type of first responder arrangement with the Fire Department. Commissioner Sisson agreed and reported currently Wrightsville Beach was using a first responder system of this type. Department of Social Services (DSS): The Board agreed to eliminate the six support enforcement positions and authorized staff to work toward privatization of child support collections through a contractual arrangement. Budget Director Griffin reported if the SlX support positions are eliminated at DSS, the $250,000 of revenue earned by the support enforcement division would be eliminated. She explained that no additional county funds would be allocated to make up for the possible reduction in revenue. After further discussion, Staff was instructed to work toward privatization of child support collections through a contractual arrangement that would allow the percentage of collections to pay for the service. Funding Request for Coastal Horizons: Authorized a one-time funding allocation to Coastal Horizons in the amount of $18,692 to bring the FY 1995-96 contribution equal to the FY 1994-95 contribution. Discussion of Proposed 2% Merit Increase and 3% Market Adjustment to the Pay Plan: After discussion of the pay plan and the proposed increase, Staff was requested to change verbiage in the budget to reflect the amount of funds appropriated for the proposed market adjustment and the merit increase in lieu of percentages. Discussion of Budget Request for the Southeastern Center: Discussion was held on the increased budget request by the Southeastern Center in the amount of $82,500 over last year's budget. A majority of the additional funds will be used to upgrade the pay scale and give salary increases to employees who have not received an increase for a number of years. Further discussion was held on contributions from the other counties. The Board was advised that contributions were received from Pender County in the amount of $3,240 and $23,400 from Brunswick County. Discussion of Budget Request for the Health Department: Discussion was held on no additional funds being requested by the Board of Health for additional Animal Control Officers. Commissioner Sisson recommended a review of additional positions because of the manpower shortage on weekends. After discussion of the problem being with irresponsible pet owners, the Chairman was requested to approach the Board of Health about raising animal control fines. Chairman Greer reported he would be glad to discuss this matter with the Board of Health. Further discussion was held on the 11% increase in the Health Department Budget. Chairman Greer reported he felt the County was mislead about the transfer of the Home Health Care Division to New Hanover Regional Medical Center. The County was required to pay an NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, MAY 23, 1995 BOOK 24 710 additional $30,000 in benefits for County employees transferred to the hospital, plus a $300,000 loss of revenue was experienced ln the Health Department due to the transfer. County Manager 0' Neal reported the Commissioners were informed about the revenue shortfall. Chairman Greer disagreed and requested the County Manager and Clerk to check the minutes to see if the revenue shortfall was reported during a regular meeting of the Board. Discussion of the Budget for the Fire Service District Commissioner Sisson commented on the need for developers to pay for the installation of fire hydrants in subdivisions and reported $100,000 had to be budgeted this year to pay for hydrants. Assistant County Manager, Dave Weaver, reported developers were required to install fire hydrants in new subdivisions where there was a community water system with sufficient water flow to support the hydrants. In old subdivisions, there is no requirement for placement of fire hydrants. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 10:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the Board