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