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1993-12-02 Budget Work Session NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, DECEMBER 2, 1993 BOOK 23 PAGE 832 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Work Session on Thursday, December 2, 1993, at 10:30 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 Work Session to order. FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS The Public Safety Departments are composed of the following departments: Emergency Management Emergency Medical Services Inspections Sheriff's Department Other Fire Service District Ogden/New Hanover Rescue Squad Clerk of Superior Court & Judges District Attorney Juvenile Services The maJor issues that must be addressed are as follows: -800 MHZ Communication System -Additional space for the Jail, Inspections, and Emergency Operations Center -Inspections Automation -Future Plans for Fire Protection Discussion was held on the space needs for the Jail and the possibili ty of expanding the Law Enforcement Center. It was generally agreed that the south end of the building, which is presently open space, could be filled in to provide additional space. Discussion was held on the space needs for the Inspections Department. Due to the continued growth of construction, temporary building inspectors have been hired and the space for housing Inspections has become critical. If this trend continues, additional employees and office space will have to be provided. Also, some major repairs to the Annex Building will have to be performed within the next year due to some structural problems. Also, it is felt that the new automation program for the Inspections Department will greatly enhance the ability of this department to handle its workload and speed up the process. As to the Emergency Operations Center, on a daily basis the space is fine; however, when an emergency occurs, the Center does not have sufficient space. Discussion is being held with the Emergency Management Director to address this matter. As the County continues to grow in population and the demand on emergency services increases, the Director of Emergency Management, will not be able to handle both emergency services and fire services. Eventually, a Fire Coordinator will have to be hired. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operates from six locations: -Military Cut-Off Road -North 2nd Street NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, DECEMBER 2, 1993 BOOK 23 PAGE 833 -Empie Park -Carolina Beach Road -Pleasure Island -Castle Hayne Discussion was held on the EMS substation at Empie Park. Vice-Chairman Mathews inquired as to whether any agreement has been reached with the City of Wilmington or if a suitable site has been found? County Manager O'Neal reported no further discussion has been held, but he will discuss this matter with the City Manager and report back to the Board. PRESENTATION OF CAPITAL PROJECTS A chart was presented reflecting expended amounts, and balance of funds Projects. the budgeted amounts, in the current Capital Also, a list of "requested" Capital Projects was presented as follows: -Department of Aging: Increase the parking lot by 103 spaces; expand storage for miscellaneous equipment; and enclose the heated pool. -Emergency Medical Services: New substation ln the Empie Park area. -Cooperative Extension Service: Refurbish the exterior of the building; and new restrooms with handicap access. -Heal th Department (Vector Control): A 1,000 square foot addition to the Vector Control Laboratory. -Parks: Continued acquisition and development of parks. -Library: Northeast branch library to replace Plaza East Branch Library; and hiring an architect to develop a Master Plan for the main Library. -Expansion of office space for County employees and/or improvements in the Annex Building -Improved County-wide communication system -Expansion of Jail and Judicial facilities. Discussion was held on the Plaza East Branch Library, which has currently exceeded it circulation figures. County Manager O'Neal suggested the possibility of selling the property on Military Cut-Off Road and using these funds to expand the space at Plaza East. Vice-Chairman Mathews recommended performing a survey to see if the branch libraries are being fully utilized before expanding the system. Discussion was held on funding a long-range space plan for the Judicial Building. County Manager 0' Neal reported Ms. Brenda Haraldson, the Clerk of Court, has performed an outstanding job in utilizing the space available; however, the County is required by State Statute to provide space for the Judicial System. With the increasing number of judicial employees, this item will have to be addressed. Discussion was held on renovating the existing County Administration Building or constructing a new building at another location. County Manager O'Neal commented on the need to have one-stop shopping with the Inspections Department, Planning Department, and Engineering Department being located in one building. This would greatly accommodate the general public. He NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, DECEMBER 2, 1993 BOOK 23 PAGE 834 expressed concern for the economic impact on the downtown area if County employees are moved to another location and emphasized the importance of thoroughly studying relocation before making this decision. Commissioner Sisson commented on the possibility of the City and County sharing building space for various departments and stated this would be beneficial to both governments. Discussion was held on the possibility of constructing a Public Safety Building at the Airport. County Manager 0' Neal reported this can be considered. Work Session to be Scheduled for Overview of County Employee Benefits Commissioner Barone commented on the cost of employee benefits and requested a report showing the actual cost of benefits to the County and the savings that would be gained through employees paying a larger percentage of their benefits. After review of each department and the required mandates, in her opinion, this is the only place where the budget can be cut. Commissioner Caster inquired as to the holidays and reported most businesses have Thanksgiving instead of Thursday and Friday? number of County only one day for County Manager 0' Neal reported the County has 10 or 11 holidays depending on whether Christmas Day falls during the 5-day work week. The County has adopted the same holiday schedule as the State because of the Court System. Commissioner Barone requested a report showing the cost of a holiday to the County. Consensus: After further discussion of employee benefits, it was the consensus of the Board to schedule a Work Session for an overview of employee benefits provided by the County. Commissioner Sisson requested a report reflecting the potential increases on fees for services. The next Budget Work Session is scheduled for December 16, 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. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Greer adjourned the Work Session at 11:45 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the Board