1994-02-03 Budget Work Session
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION, FEBRUARY 3, 1994
BOOK 23
PAGE 930
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Budget
Work Session on Thursday, February 3, 1994, at 12:45 P.M. in the
Senior Center, 116 South College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners Sandra Barone; William A.
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 Budget Work Session to order and
reported during the last five Budget Work Sessions, the functions
of each County Department has been presented. The Commissioners
must now provide direction to staff as to how to proceed with
preparation of the FY 1994-95 Budget.
Chairman Greer reported, in his oplnlon, figures should be
presented on revenues generated this year over last year and the
amount of expenditures to provide County services for the upcoming
fiscal year. Once these figures are prepared, priorities can then
be set for preparing the budget.
Commissioner Barone asked Chairman Greer if this statement
means the County should operate within its revenues?
Chairman Greer responded he would like to see this happen, if
at all possible.
County Manager O'Neal commented on being aware of the fact
that the Board does not want a tax increase and reported staff
feels new programs should not be implemented and that existing
programs should be absolutely necessary. If funding is reduced for
outside agencies and cuts go beyond this point, service areas will
have to be cut. Staff is now investigating many options in terms
of reorganization, such as combining the Cape Fear Community
College Library with the New Hanover County Library System.
Chairman Greer commented on the positions that have been added
and positions needed for parks and other departments, which will
have to be addressed.
Commissioner Barone inquired as to whether direction has been
provided to the outside agencies as to how funding requests should
be submitted?
Budget Director, Cam McAbee, reported all outside agencies
have been requested to submit budgets without an increase over last
year's budget.
Commissioner Caster inquired as to whether the outside
agencles are on a percentage reduction annually?
County Manager O'Neal reported a few years ago discussion was
held on a percentage reduction annually, but was not officially
approved.
The following maJor lssues were presented:
General Fund:
-Fundinq for Education With/without Passaqe of Bond Referendum: If
the bond issues pass, the highest increase will be six cents on the
tax rate. Discussion was held on new programs that will be
implemented by the Board of Education and the need for the County
to know the amount of County funds that will be required to
implement these programs. The Chairman was authorized to write a
letter to the Board of Education and request an analysis of
expanded programs and operational areas that will impact the
County's budget.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION, FEBRUARY 3, 1994
BOOK 23
PAGE 931
Discussion was held on the maintenance of school facilities.
Commissioner Caster reported the Board of Education is cognizant of
this need and has planned to allocate a certain percentage of funds
for this purpose.
vice-Chairman Mathews reported some counties in North Carolina
are actually performing the maintenance in the schools, and,
perhaps, this should be considered in New Hanover County.
Commissioner Barone commented on the School Board being
elected officials and the need to properly approach this matter.
After an informal discussion with some members of the Board of
Education and with the County Manager, possibly the County should
initiate a pilot program in one of the schools to see if a County
maintenance program would be successful.
Discussion was held on the events that would transpire if the
school bond issue lS rej ected by the voters and the County's
responsibility.
Chairman Greer reported if the bond issue does not pass, he
will have difficulty in spending tax dollars when the voters have
said no.
Commissioner Barone reported, in her opinion, the County will
be responsible for the school needs regardless of the outcome of
the bond issue. In another County where the bond referendum failed
and the Commissioners refused to fund the schools, the court ruled
in favor of the Board of Education and the County had to fund the
educational needs.
-Increasinq Staff and Fundinq Requests for the Department of Social
Services: The County does not know the exact funding requirements
for the mandated programs. A team composed of Deputy County
Manager, Andrew Atkinson; Budget Director, Cam McAbee; Human
Resources Director, Andre' Mallette; and Internal Auditor, Bruce
Shell, will be reviewing the position needs and making a
recommendation to the Board.
-Addi tional Public Safety Staff Requirements: The Inspections
Department is categorized as a public safety activity and as the
population continues to grow, more homes are being constructed.
The County must be able to adequately inspect the construction
trades. The fee schedule in place to cover the cost for
Inspections.
Commissioner Sisson reported on the increasing demand on the
Fire Marshal because of the number of fires that need to be
investigated. Presently, adjustments have been made to provide a
24-hour on-call status; however, this arrangement cannot withstand
an additional workload. Perhaps, this matter should be considered
in preparing the budget.
Capital pro-iects - County-wide Communication System: The Volunteer
Fire Departments have requested the County to begin the
implementation of the 800 mghz system. The County should
administer and control the 800 mghz system.
Capital pro-iects - New Hanover County Jail: The jail population
continues to grow with no indication that this population will
decrease. The present jail can last for only a certain period of
time and a decision will have to be made for the provision of
additional jail space. Also, the Jail Annex is fully utilized.
Discussion was held on the need to allow ample time to plan
for another jail expansion with a thorough study of the proper
location for the jail and the manner in which the project is to be
financed. Chairman Greer stated, in his opinion, a capital project
of this type should be budgeted instead of utilizing installment
financing. Further discussion was held on cooperative ventures
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION, FEBRUARY 3, 1994
BOOK 23
PAGE 932
with surrounding counties. County Manager O'Neal reported this has
been successful in some areas of the State where small counties
have similar populations and needs. Since New Hanover County is
much larger than its surrounding counties, it may not be as
successful. Staff will be glad to check into this matter.
Space Needs: Staff would like to establish a Task Force composed
of two County Commissioners, the County Manager, and a Planning
staff member to review space available in the downtown area. There
is concern about the stability of the County Annex Building, which
may have to be addressed during the next year. If agreeable, this
Task Force should be appointed immediately after the budget is
adopted in June.
The following space needs have been identified: (1) the Jail;
(2) Administration Building; (3) Annex Building; (4) EOC Center;
(5) Department of Social Services; (6) Health Department; (7)
Senior Center; (8) Judicial Building; and (9) Mental Health Center.
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is not large enough to
accommodate an emergency. Discussion was held on the location of
the EOC and the need to have a secure place during emergencies.
There is underutilized space in the Law Enforcement Building on the
west side of the EOC on Fourth Street which could be expanded to
provide additional space for the 911 Center and the EOC. These
divisions need to be near each other and immediate attention should
be given to design of these space needs.
The space needs for the Department of Social Services have
been provided for an interim period of time.
The Health Department is experiencing parking and clinical
space problems. The department is investigating the possibility of
outposting some programs, particularly Home Health, which pays for
itself. Commissioner Barone inquired as to whether the Health
Department has contacted the hospital for use of its expanded
parking facility? Chairman Greer reported once the hospital
completes the parking deck, the problem will be relieved.
Activities have increased at the Senior Center and they have
requested more space for the administration of current programs,
installation of an indoor swimming pool, and additional parking
spaces.
The Judicial Building is in immediate need of additional
courtrooms. Numerous trials from surrounding counties are being
moved to New Hanover County, which has exacerbated the problem. If
the Law Library is moved from the Judicial Building to the main
Library, this space can be used for additional courtrooms. There
may be opposition to this request by the legal community, but the
County has limited resources and must make the best use of these
resources.
The Mental Health Center is a County owned building and serves
as the headquarters for the three counties. The building has been
divided into uncoordinated spaces to meet confidentiality criteria.
After discussion with Property Management, the current space cannot
be expanded. Due to the increased number of clients and the need
for privacy, the Southeastern Center is in desperate need of space.
Unfortunately, there is not enough land to expand the present
facility.
Water & Sewer District: The District is nearing the depletion of
funds for expansion of the County Sewer System. The Water & Sewer
Task Force is currently reviewing options for revenue sources. It
is estimated that $150 million will be needed for a collection
system to provide sewer to the remainder of the County with $60
million needed for a skeleton trunk system. The following revenue
sources have been discussed: (1) implementation of a District Tax;
(2) an increase in the tap fee; (3) an increase in the impact fee;
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION, FEBRUARY 3, 1994
BOOK 23
PAGE 933
(4) an increase in the monthly user fee; (5) establish an
assessment fee; (6) expand the Room Occupancy Tax; (7) implement a
Prepared Food and Beverage Tax; (8) implement a Land Transfer Tax;
and (9) implement a construction excise tax.
Commissioner Barone reported the tap fee and monthly fee are
low and perhaps an increase could be considered in these areas.
She reported the Task Force is waiting for the exact cost of the
needs with a detailed breakdown of each phase. Once this
information is received, a report will be prepared and presented to
the Commissioners at a regular meeting.
Further discussion was held on the City and County seriously
considering a regional approach to services, such as a regional
Water & Sewer Authority. It was agreed that regional agreements
should be pursued whenever possible, since they benefit both
governments and the citizens of the County.
Discussion was held on all of the space needs presented by the
County Manager. Chairman Greer commented on space needs for the
jail and judicial system and recommended constructing another
building to house the Sheriff's Patrol Division (now at the
Airport), the 911 Center, and the Emergency Operations Center.
This would provide additional space in the Judicial Building and
meet the needs of the courts. Also, in terms of long-range
planning, consideration should be given to the CAD System for the
911 Center with particular emphasis focused on being able to move
this equipment.
Commissioner Sisson recommended locating this building at the
Airport which would serve to attract other businesses on Airport
property.
County Manager O'Neal reported the most appropriate location
for centralizing County government and better accommodating
accessibility of these services to its citizens is the Long Leaf
Mall complex. In his opinion, the Jail and court system should
remain at their present locations.
Discussion was held on future fire protection. Commissioner
Sisson reported fire protection will probably phase into a
paid/volunteer service with paid service during the day. The
Volunteer Firemen feel this type of system is acceptable, and the
Fire Inspections Committee has visited Durham and Guilford Counties
with information being solicited from Mecklenburg County to see if
this of type of system is working satisfactorily. One item that
will have to be addressed is the redrawing of fire districts to
conform to the growth in population in order to avoid over funding
one department when equipment could be more equitably shared.
After further discussion, the following conclusions were
drawn:
Inspections Department: As long as new positions can be justified
and can be funded from revenues generated by the Inspections
Department, they can be considered during the budget process;
however, staff is to continually monitor the need for new
positions.
Department of Social Services: A recommendation will be received
from the County team appointed to work with the DSS Director to
completely review the organizational structure and positions
needed. A decision will be made at that time.
Water & Sewer: The Water & Sewer Task Force will present a report
on options to consider for the generation of revenues. A decision
will be made at that time.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION, FEBRUARY 3, 1994
BOOK 23
PAGE 934
Fire Protection: Once the present study is completed by the
consultant on March 31, 1994, this matter will be addressed.
COMMISSIONER SISSON EXCUSED FROM THE BUDGET WORK SESSION
Commissioner Sisson was excused from the Budget Work Session
at 2:25 P.M.
Chairman Greer expressed concern for prioritizing items such
as expansion of the Emergency Operations Center or implementation
of the 800 mghz system until a decision has been made about the
space needs for the jail and judicial system. In his opinion, a
first priority should be moving the Law Library to the main Library
to immediately provide additional courtrooms without a large sum of
money being expended. Also, Home Health should be moved from the
Health Department to provide additional space.
After further discussion, the County Manager was directed to
proceed with moving the Law Library into the main Library. Also,
it was agreed that a Task Force should be appointed immediately
after adoption of the FY 1994-95 Budget to study the space needs in
the downtown area, particularly for the Jail, Judicial Building,
and the EOC. Funds are to be included in the FY 1994-95 Budget for
the space needs study.
County Manager O'Neal presented the budget schedule and
reported when the Budget Work Session is held on April 13, 1994,
staff will know the funding needs for the County Departments and
Outside Agencies. It hoped that direction will be given for
preparation of the FY 1994-95 Budget so the recommended budget can
be presented on May 2, 1994. From May 2, 1994 until May 16, 1994,
the budget can be reviewed and additional Work Sessions scheduled
before the Public Hearing to be held on May 16, 1994. If additional
time is needed, the Public Hearing could be scheduled for June 6,
1994, with final adoption on June 20, 1994.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Commissioner Barone MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Caster
to adjourn the Work Session.
Chairman Greer adjourned the Work Session at 3:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board