1993-11-04 Budget Work Session
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
BOOK 23
PAGE 803
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in a Budget
Work Session on Thursday, November 4, 1993, at 10:00 A.M. in the
First Floor Assembly Room 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 O'Neal; and Clerk
to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Greer called the Budget Work Session to order.
Announcement of Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the River Road Park
Assistant County Manager, Dave Weaver, reported the River Road
Park is almost completed and inquired as to whether December 17,
1993, will be a convenient date for scheduling the Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony. Also, included in this ceremony will be the opening of
the Summer Rest Road access since both projects were funded with
CAMA grants.
Commissioner Sisson reported on a group of persons called the
River Road Rangers, who carry firearms and present themselves as a
patrol group. Concern was expressed for these people not being
affiliated with the Sheriff's Department and problems that could be
experienced at the new park. He requested Staff to check into this
matter.
County Manager O'Neal reported he would check into this matter
and report back to the Board.
Consensus: It was the consensus of the Board to schedule the
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the River Road Park and opening of the
Summer Rest Road access on December 17, 1993, at 10:00 A.M.
Announcement of Date for Touring Gregory School as Requested by the
Board of Education
County Manager 0' Neal reported the Board of Education has
invited the Commissioners to tour Gregory School on December 1,
1993.
Consensus: After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to
schedule a tour of Gregory School on December 1, 1993, at 9:00 A.M.
PRESENTATION OF FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENTS
The Human Service Departments are as follows:
Department of Aging
Health Department
Human Relations Department
Human Services Transportation System
Department of Social Services
Southeastern Center
Outside Agencies
The majority of funds expended for human serVlces are in the
Department of Social Services and the Health Department. In order
to understand the services rendered by these departments, it is
helpful to understand the following definitions:
Enti tlement Programs: Services must be provided to all
persons who are eligible to participate in the programs, such
as the Medicaid Program. The level of funding is determined
by proj ected needs and usages. The County is responsible
under Federal Law to provide the amount of money required for
the County match of all entitlement programs.
Mandated Programs: No level of service is specified. The
level of funding is determined by perceived needs, available
resources, and community support. The County is responsible
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
BOOK 23
PAGE 804
under Federal and State law to provide funding for these
programs.
The County also contributes to the following human services
outside agencies: Domestic violence; Elderhaus; Sickle Cell;
Senior Citizens of Pleasure Island; Coastal Horizons; Community
Penalties; The Child Advocacy Commission; Cape Fear Literacy
Council; Wilmington Police Night Gym Program; Keys to Industrial
Development; Veterans Council; United Cerebral Palsy; Youth
Connection (Big Buddy and After School Enrichment Programs). These
programs enhance the services being rendered by the Department of
Social Services and Health Department. Typically the agencies
provide a level of services more cost effective than could be
provided by the County.
County Manager O'Neal reported if the Board feels expenditures
need to be cut in human services during the FY 1994-95 budgetary
process, he would recommend reducing funding to these outside
agencies because they are not entitlement or mandated programs.
Discussion was held on the Human Services Allocation Advisory
Committee (HSAAC). Budget Director, Cam McAbee, reported after
discussion with members of the HSAAC, it was strongly felt that the
budget recommendations prepared have been most beneficial to the
Board of County Commissioners in making final funding decisions for
outside agencies. Each outside agency is visited with a complete
review of the program and quality of services being rendered. A
tremendous amount of time is given by the members of the Committee
and Administrative Staff of the Health Department, Southeastern
Center, Department of Social Services and Budget Department.
County Manager 0' Neal reported the advantage of having an
outside group to review these agencies is that a more objective
point of view is presented on the quality of services being
rendered and resources available for rendering these services;
however, Staff can perform these reviews. This is a time consuming
process for the members of the HSAAC and County Staff. Also, if
the group is eliminated, a community group will have to be
appointed to review the Community Based Alternatives funding
requests. Direction was requested from the Board as to whether
this Committee should be continued.
After discussion of the excellent job performed by this
Committee, it was generally agreed to continue the Human Services
Allocation Advisory Committee. Emphasis was also placed on the
need for the Commissioners to accept the funding allocations as
recommended by the Committee.
County Manager O'Neal reported further discussion will be held
on the Human Services Allocation Advisory Committee at the Budget
Work Session scheduled for December 16, 1993.
REVIEW OF PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES
A complete review of programs administered by the Department
of Social Services was presented with figures reflecting the total
budgets broken down into Federal, State, and County funding.
County Manager O'Neal reported on his desire to cut the DSS
Budget, but stated with mandates and entitlement programs, this is
impossible. The County continues to work with the DSS Staff to
control the operating costs as much as possible. Computer
automation has been beneficial in processing the workload and the
State-wide automation system will be even more helpful. With
projected state-wide figures for Medicaid at over $3 billion and
$450 million for Food Stamps, it is difficult to control the budget
for the Department of Social Services.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
BOOK 23
PAGE 805
REVIEW OF PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
A complete review of programs administered by the Health
Department was presented with figures reflecting programs that are
funded 100% by other sources; programs that require a County match;
non-mandated programs; and programs funded 100% by the County.
County Manager 0' Neal commented on providing health care
services to non-county residents and reported safeguards have been
implemented to reduce the number of non-county residents being
served.
Chairman Greer commented on the Home Health Care Program,
which pays for itself, and complimented the Health Department for
the efficient manner in which this program is operated and the
quality of services being provided to the community.
REVIEW OF OTHER HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENTS
A review of the following Human Service Departments was
presented:
Department of Aging: The Department of Aging is funded by an
overall grant from the Division of Aging, which covers 48% of the
cost for services rendered. The County funds the remaining 52%.
Human Relations: The Department of Human Relations receives an
EEOC grant and Fair Housing grant with 80% of the department funded
by the County.
Commissioner Barone commented on the County funding 80% of the
budget for Human Relations and inquired as to whether the
percentage of County funding can be reduced?
County Manager O'Neal reported there are no additional grants
available to assist with funding the Human Relations Department.
The Human Relations Commission administers the EEOC Program, which
is a large portion of the funds expended. This service allows
local businesses to hold employment hearings in New Hanover County
instead of having to travel to Raleigh. This is not a mandated
function; but the business community is most appreciative of the
quality of services rendered by the Human Relations Commission.
vice-Chairman Mathews requested figures on the cost to the
County for administration of the EEOC Program locally?
County Manager O'Neal reported he is not sure, but figures
will be prepared and forwarded to the Commissioners.
In summary, Staff feels the following key issues must be
considered in the FY 1994-95 budget process:
1) Response to increasing State and Federal mandates without
funding sources.
2) Response to State and Federal regulations.
3) Automation.
4) Office crowding of the Department of Social Services,
Health Department, and Senior Center.
5)
Home Health:
Department?
Should this remain a part of the Health
6) Contracting Services whenever possible.
7) The future of the Human Services Allocation Advisory
Committee and outside agencies.
8) Southeastern Center funding.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
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Discussion was held on the County Human Services
Transportation System. County Manager 0' Neal reported on the
progress and overall improvements made in operating the system.
Routes have been established and the Transportation System is
utilizing local resources from all community agencies.
Commissioner Sisson requested the Commissioners to consider
requiring any outside agency receiving County funding to use the
Human Services Transportation System when transportation services
are needed. This will improve cooperation among the agencies and
reduce the budget for the Transportation System. After further
discussion, it was generally agreed that this was an excellent idea
and Staff was requested to consider this recommendation in
preparing the FY 1994-95 Budget.
In summary, it was agreed that mandates and entitlement
programs must somehow be contained on the State and Federal levels
of government. If the present trend continues, the percentage of
County funds allocated to human services will surpass the amount of
funds allocated for education.
REVIEW OF CULTURAL AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS
The Cultural and Recreation Departments are composed of the
following departments with none of the programs mandated other than
the Library being required to provide voter registration:
Library
Museum
Parks
Outside Agencies:
Arts Council of the Lower Cape Fear
St. John's Art Gallery
Friends of Public Radio
Riverfest
Wilmington Railroad Museum
Discussion was held on the growth of County parks and the need
to hire additional personnel. The employees of the Parks Department
were complimented for the outstanding job being performed in
maintaining the parks with the current number of employees.
Discussion was held on the value of the Cape Fear Museum to
the community. County Manager O'Neal recommended future
consideration of creating a non-profit private foundation to
operate the Museum, which is currently being done throughout the
state and nation. The County would commit to a certain level of
funding over a designated period of time with the assurance that
the investment made by the County is protected and that Museum
employees would be provided the same benefits as County employees.
Staff was authorized to proceed with a study of this proposal for
future consideration.
Discussion was held on the Branch Library System and the fact
that the County does not have to provide additional branch library
services. County Manager O'Neal stated the system now in place is
adequate; however, there is a need for another branch library in
the Castle Hayne/Wrightsboro area.
Commissioner Sisson recommended allowing the existing branch
library to remain in the Plaza East Shopping Center and sell the
property on Military Cut-off Road to acquire property in the Castle
Hayne/Wrightsboro area. Emphasis was placed on the need to provide
library services to all areas of the County.
County Manager O'Neal reported discussion has been held among
Staff to allow the County Library to become the library for the
Cape Fear Community College. This would vacate one entire floor of
the Community College Building and assist the college with meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
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PAGE 807
space needs. After further discussion, the County Manager was
authorized to investigate this proposal.
Commissioner Sisson expressed concern for the article in the
paper relative to the management of Cape Fear Community College and
recommended informing the Cape Fear Community College Board of
Trustees and other appointed boards of their responsibility as
governing boards to ensure efficient management and operation of
the various facilities and institutions.
Discussion was held on gradually reducing the amount of funds
allocated to the outside agencies. This item was discussed during
the budget process for FY 1993-94; however, no definite decision
was made. County Manager O'Neal recommended discussion of this
matter at the Budget Work Session scheduled on December 16, 1993.
Commissioner Sisson recommended holding a Work Session with
the City Council to discuss outside agencies that receive funding
from both the City and County. This would allow both governments
to discuss priorities and make better funding decisions according
to actual needs.
County Manager 0' Neal recommended allowing discussion to occur
between the City and County Administrative Staff with a report
being prepared and forwarded to the Board. The County Manager was
authorized to proceed with this approach.
Chairman Greer, on behalf of the Board, expressed appreciation
to the Staff for an excellent explanation of the Human Service
Departments and outside agencies. Staff was requested to continue
to use this type of format for budget presentations. Total budgets
showing a break down of Federal, State, and County funding for the
departments and agencies will allow the Board to make better
comparisons from year to year.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 12:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board