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1993-10-14 Work Session NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, OCTOBER 14, 1993 BOOK 23 PAGE 766 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Work Session on Thursday, October 14, 1993, at 9:30 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 County Manager O'Neal reported today the general government functions will be reviewed with basic facts presented on consolidation for discussion only. Emphasis was placed on the fact that consolidation is not being promoted, but staff feels this item should be discussed. Slides were presented and the following issues were discussed: 1) The definition of General Government and the departments within this function. 2) Budget Statistics reflecting a reduction in the FY 1993-94 Budget with the number of full-time positions increasing by three for the fiscal year: two positions in the Legal Department, an Assistant County Attorney and a position in Collections that will pay for itself through revenues collected, and one new position in the Tax Department. MAJOR ISSUES Strateqic Planninq: The Assistant to the County Manager, Pat Melvin, has been working with the Strategic Planning Council to provide a plan to meet future needs through the year 2000. Computerization: As the County increases its work activities with less employees, computerization becomes more necessary even though the equipment is quite costly. Increased Workload with a Limited Number of Employees in the General Government Area: The new employees added for the past several years have been in the Public Safety and Human Services departments. Very few employees have been added in the General Government departments. Many departments are performing more work with less employees. If the County continues to grow and the demand for services increases, additional employees will have to be added under the General Government function in order to provide the same level of serVlces. CONSOLIDATION Clarify Objectives of Consolidation before pursulng the lssue as listed below: Service delivery should be more easily identified in order for the public to know where to go to receive a particular serVlce. Eliminate duplication or perceived duplication of serVlces. Provide a more effective use of tax dollars. HOW WILL CONSOLIDATION OCCUR: -Interlocal Agreement -Contracts -Mergers -Beach communities should be included ln all discussions. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, OCTOBER 14, 1993 BOOK 23 PAGE 767 APPROACHES TO CONSOLIDATION: -Citizen Committees -Assistance from the Institute of Government -Vote of the people -Agreement among locally elected boards DEPARTMENTS SUITED FOR CONSOLIDATION: Law Enforcement: The structure of a consolidated Law Enforcement Agency must be carefully reviewed as to the merit of the structure as opposed to the merit of the individual. The County now has the best Sheriff in the state and country; however, this individual will not be in office indefinitely. Parks/Recreation: With the size of New Hanover County, the City and County Parks and Recreation Departments should be consolidated. Planninq: At one time there was a joint City/County Planning Board and as the area continues to become more urban, it would be an advantage for consolidation of these departments. Manaqement Information Services: The technology is already in place and as more computerization occurs, the City and County may wish to consolidate. Centralized considered. Purchasinq among all municipalities should be utilities: As the City continues to annex, utility functions should be combined. ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED -Legal Issues -Organizational issues -Financial issues -Cost/savings of merger/consolidation -Short-term costs/savings -Long-term costs/savings -Salaries and budget -Equipment, uniforms costs, etc. -Employee morale -policies and procedures -Staffing BOARD OF EDUCATION AND CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE A bond referendum will be held on March 8, 1994, in the amount of $53.8 million comprised of the following components: New Hanover County Schools $39.9 million for construction of new schools, renovations and expansion of existing schools, furniture, equipment, and land purchase, if necessary. The tax rate will increase 4 cents phased in over a construction period of 3 to 4 years. Cape Fear Community College $13.9 million for construction of new facilities and upgrading of existing facili ties. The tax rate will increase 1.5 cents over the construction period. The maximum impact of the two bond issues, if passed, is 5.5 cents over the extended period of time as the bonds are issued from year to year. If the bond issues do not pass, and the Board of Education and Cape Fear College request $53.8 million dollars annually, the tax rate would be impacted as follows: 1995 - $20.8 million (27 cents on tax rate) 1996 - $19.1 million (24 cents on tax rate) NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, OCTOBER 14, 1993 BOOK 23 PAGE 768 1997 - $ 4.1 million (05 cents on tax rate) 1998 - $ 9.8 million (11 cents on tax rate) Other needs requested by the schools are supplements for teachers; computers in classrooms; maintenance of existing and new buildings; and other capital issues, such as a new high school. ECONOMIC AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT In the Economic and Physical Development function, there are two County Departments, the N. C. Cooperative Extension Service and the Planning Department. The remainder of this function is comprised of the following outside agencies: DARE Soil & Water Conservation Port, Waterway & Beach Commission Cape Fear Council of Governments Cape Fear Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau New Hanover International Airport Beaches Committee of 100 The Commissioners were requested to provide direction on how these agencies are to be handled in the budgetary process. Major issues to consider are urbanization of the County and the services provided by the Cooperative Extension Service; implications from adoption of the revised Land Use Plan; continued funding of outside agencies; and the Room Occupancy Tax. The amount of funding reserved for erosion control continues to grow; however, if the County should have to fund beach renourishment, these funds would be used quickly. County Manager O'Neal commented on the urbanization of New Hanover County and recommended a thorough review of the traditional services rendered by the Cooperative Extension Service. This agency plays an importance role in the County with the Arboretum; however, other programs may not be relative to an urban community. Commissioner Barone inquired as to the amount of funds appropriated to the Cooperative Extension Service? Budget Director, Cam McAbee, reported $210,000. Assistant County Manager, Dave Weaver, reported the Cooperative Extension Service is in the process of redefining its role and is trying to provide more urban oriented services. For example, the local agency has filed a grant application that would allow the Cooperative Extension to provide child care to certain areas of the County through the 4-H Program. The question to be answered is whether or not the Cooperative Extension Service is the appropriate agency to provide child care services? Commissioner Barone expressed appreciation for the budget presentation, which was most informative, but expressed concern for no information presented on sunsetting, eliminating, or privatizing some of the functions now provided. County Manager O'Neal reported during the budget process, each department is requested to review each service being rendered to see if any service can be contracted out. As to sunsetting, this process involves outside agencies and the services being provided. The question to be answered is whether outside agencies should be funded, or do these agencies provide important services that cannot be provided by the County? BUDGET WORK SESSION SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 28, 1993 County Manager O'Neal announced the next Budget Work Session will be held on October 28, 1993, at 9:00 A.M. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION, OCTOBER 14, 1993 BOOK 23 PAGE 769 Staff was requested to discuss large funding requests to see if expenditures can be reduced; prepare figures reflecting how federal, state, and county funds are used in each individual department to know exactly how taxpayers' funds are spent; specifically define the entire budget which is $100 million including WASTEC and the Water & Sewer District instead of the $89 million under the general fund; and watch very closely the impact of the Land Use Plan on the budget. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the Board