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1974-06-12 Budget Meeting ` MINUTES OF BUDGET HEARING, JUNE 12, 1974 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Wednesday, June 12, 1974, at 4:00 PM in the Assembly Room, County Commission Building, Wilmington, North Carolina, to continue the budget hearings. Members present were Commissioners Peter R. Davis; J. M. Hall, Jr.; M. H. Vaughan; Vivian S. Wright; Chairman W. Douglas Powell; County Manager, Dan W. Eller; and Clerk to the Board, Lise K. King. No members were absent. Chm. Powell called the meeting to order. PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUDGET Dr. John Codington, Chairman of the Board of Education, appeared before the Commissioners along with Dr. Heyward C. Bellamy, Superintendent of County Schools; Mr. Dale K. Spencer, Assistant Superintendent of County Schools; Mrs. Nina Tenuta of the Schools' Accounting Department; and other members of the school staff and Board of Education. Comm. Hall, Wright and Vaughan stated that they would not vote for a Public Schools budget which included a tax rate in the supplementary fund which exceeded 100, per $100 valuation because, when the supplement was originally voted in, the rate was based on a 50 percent assessment ratio. and the ratio had since been raised to 100 percent. Chm. Powell recessed the meeting for the Board of Education to meet and reduce the supplementary budget. Chm. Powell reconvened the meeting, and the Board of Education presented the following deletions from the supplementary budget. 1) A request of 870 teachers @$545 was reduced to 835. 34 of these teachers were transferred to the regular budget and 1(drug education supervisor) was deleted completely. This reduced the appropriation request of $474,150 to $455,075. 2) A request for 71 county paid teachers @$8,820 w/o supplement was reduced to 36. 34 of these teachers were transferred to the regular budget and 1(drug education supervisor) was deleted completely. This reduced the appropriation request of $626,220 to $317,520. 3) The supplement of $200 for 1 drug education supervisor was deleted completely. 4) The travel request of $600 for 1 drug education supervisor was deleted completely. 5) The salary of the new senior high principal of $20,820 was deleted completely. 6) The travel for the new senior high principal of $300 was deleted completely. This amounted to a total of $349,695 coming out of the request in the supplementary budget. The Board of Education was requested, by common consent, to reduce their total budget by $184,680 and come back to the Commissioners with a revised budget request. GOVERNING BODY BUDGET Comm. Davis moved, seconded by Comm. Wright, that the salaries of the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and the Commissioners be reduced from the Manager's proposed rate to the rate paid in fiscal year 1973-1974. Comm. Vaughan offered the substitute motion, seconded by Chm. Powell, that the salaries for the Chairman and members of the Board of Commissioners remain at the amounts recommended by the County Manager. Upon vote, substitute motion was defeated as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Vaughan and Chm. Powell. Voting Noe: Comm. Davis, Hall, and Wright. MINUTES OF BUDGET HEARING, JUNE 12, 1974 (CONTINUED) Page 2 GOVERNING BODY BUDGET (CONTINUED) Upon vote, original motion to leave the salaries of the governing body unchanged over fiscal year 1973-1974 was approved unanimously. By common consent, the salary of the Clerk to the Board was increased to $8,200 from the County Manager's recommended $7,884. Comm. Wright asked that the $7,000 recommended by the County Manager for Travel, Meetings and Schools be reduced to $6,000. This was agreed to by common consent. Comm. Wright moved, seconded by Comm. Vaughan, that the County withdraw from the National Association of County Commissioners and reduce the amount for Dues and Subscriptions by $523. Upon vote, motion was defeated as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Vaughan and Wright. Voting Noe: Comm. Davis, Hall, and Chm. Powell. Comm. Vaughan asked that by common consent $500 be reappropriated for Travel, Meetings and Schools and earmarked for lobbying purposes in Washington, D. C. This was agreed to by common consent. By common consent, all other items in the budget of the Governing Body not acted upon by separate action were approved by common consent as recommended by the County Manager. ADMINISTRATION BUDGET Comm. Davis moved, seconded by Chm. Powell, that County Manager Eller's salary be increased to $24,000. Comm. Hall offered the substitute motion, seconded by Comm. Vaughan, that the County Manager's salary be increased to $23,000. Upon vote, substitute motion was defeated as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Hall. Voting Noe: Comm. Davis, Vaughan, Wright, and Chm. Powell. Upon vote, the original motion to increase the County Manager's salary to $24,000 was approved unanimously. By common consent, it was agreed that no further action would be taken on the Salaries and Wages Detail in the Administration Budget until after the Commission had met in executive session. By common consent, all items except Salaries and Wages in the Administration budget were approved as recommended. (Action was taken later in the meeting to change the appropriation for Auto Allowance.) LEGAL BUDGET, PAGE 23 By common consent, the appropriation in the Legal Budget was approved as recommended. FINANCE BUDGET Comm. Wright moved that the accounting machine requested in the Finance budget at $25,450 be deleted. Motion died for lack of a second. Comm. Hall moved, seconded by Comm. Vaughan, that the Capital Outlay Detail for the Finance Department be approved as recommended. Upon vote, motion carried as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Davis, Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. Voting Noe: Comm. Wright. It was agreed by common consent that the Salaries and Wages Detail would be postponed until after the Commission had met in executive session. By common consent, all other items in the Expenditure Budget of the Finance Department were approved as recommended by the County Manager. MINUTES OF BUDGET HEARING, JUNE 12, 1974 (CONTINUED) Page 3 PLANNING AND ZONING BUDGET The budget hearing for Planning and Zoning was continued from the budget hearing of June 10, 1974. Automobiles Comm. Vaughan moved, seconded by Chm. Powell, that the request for two auto- mobiles contained in the Capital Outlay Detail be approved. Comm. Davis offered the substitute motion, seconded by Comm. Wright, that the request for two automobiles contained in the Capital Outlay Detail be denied and that the personnel in the Planning Department be compensated for travel on a per mile basis. Upon vote, substitute motion was defeated as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Davis and Wright. Voting Noe: Comm. Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. Upon vote, original motion to approve the request for two automobiles carried as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. Voting Noe: Comm. Davis and Wright. Comm. Davis stated for the record that he felt this was a ridiculous expenditure and was setting a dangerous precedent. Comm. Vaughan stated for the record that he felt this would be of much benefit to the community. Comm. Davis requested a detailed report monthly of every person driving in the Planning Department and how many miles they drove each month. Comm. Vaughan moved that Comm. Davis' request be denied. Motion died for lack of a second. Comm. Wright moved, seconded by Comm. Hall, that a log be maintained on the vehicles purchased by the Planning Department by everybody using the vehicles on the mileage when the vehicle was checked out, where it went, and the mileage when the vehicle was checked back in. Upon vote, motion carried unariimously. Telephone and Postage Chm. Powell moved, seconded by Comm. Vaughan, that the request of $1,429 for Telephone and Postage, Account #11 490 11, be approved with the understanding that the Planning Department would put in three consecutively numbered lines and reserve the fourth line to determine its necessity before having it installed. Upon vote, motion carried unanimously. Travel, Meetings and Schools Comm. Wright moved that Account #11 490 14, Travel, Meetings and Schools, be reduced from $2,205 to $1,500. Motion died for lack of a second. Mr. Fender explained that $850 of this appropriation was for the Planning Commission members. Comm. Vaughan moved, seconded by Comm. Davis, that Account #Il 490 14, Travel, Meetings and Schools, be reduced from $2,205 to $2,000. Upon vote, motion carried unanimously. Department Supplies and Materials Comm. Hall moved, seconded by Comm. Davis, that Account #11 490 33, Department Supplies and Material be reduced from $3,225 to $2,500. Upon vote, motion carried unanimously. Professional Services Comm. Wright moved, seconded by Comm. Davis, that Professional Services, Account #11 490 04, in the amount of $5,000 be deleted. MINUTES OF BUDGET HEARING, JUNE 12, 1974 (CONTINUED) Page 4 PLANNING AND ZONING BUDGET (CONTINUED) Professional Services (continued) Mr. Fender stated that this request should be for $3,750 for revision of the County and City Zoning Ordinances. motion Comm. Vaughan offered the substitute4 seconded by Chm. Powell, that Account #11 490 04, Professional Services, be reduced from $5,000 to $3,750. Upon vote, substitute motion carried as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. Voting Noe: Comm. Davis and Wright. Capital Outlay By common consent, the $172 requested for a 4 drawer file on the Capital Outlay Detail was reduced to $85. By common consent, all items in the Capital Outlay Detail with the exception of the automobiles and the 4 drawer file were approved as requested. Salaries and Wages Chm. Powell moved, seconded by Comm. Vaughan, that R. A. Fender, Director of Planning, be given a$2,000 per year raise effective July l, 1974, amended to coincide with the City's Pay Scale. Comm. Davis offered the substitute motion, seconded by Comm. Wright, that R. A. Fender be given a$1,000 increase effective July l, 1974, and a$1,000 increase effective January 1, 1974, amended to coincide with the City's Pay Scale. Upon vote, substitute motion was defeated as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Davis and Wright. Voting Noe: Comm. Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. Upon vote, original motion to give R. A. Fender a$2,000 increase effective July 1, 1974, was approved as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. Voting Noe: Comm. Davis and Wright. Comm. Vaughan moved, seconded by Chm. Powell, that the vacant position of Planner III, Assistant Director, be approved at the requested figure of $16,169. Comm. Davis offered the substitute motion, seconded by Comm. Wright, that the vacant position of Planner III, Assistant Director, be approved at $15,000 with the option to go to $15,500 if necessary to get someone qualified for the position. Upon vote, substitute motion was approved as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Davis, Hall, and Wright. Voting Noe: Comm. Vaughan and Chm. Powell. Comm. Hall moved, seconded by Chm. Powell, that the Board reconsider the previous motion to approve the Planner III at $15,000. Motion to reconsider this motion was approved as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. Voting Noe: Comm. Davis and Wright. After the Board had reconsidered Comm. Davis' motion to approve the Planner III, Assistant Director at $15,000 with the option to go to $15,500 if necessary, a vote was taken again on this motion which was defeated as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Davis and Wright. Voting Noe: Comm. Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. MINUTES OF BUDGET HEARING, JUNE 12, 1974 (CONTINUED) Page 5 PLANNING AND ZONING BUDGET (CONTINUED) Upon vote, motion to approve the Planner III, Assistant Director, at the requested $16,169 carried as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. Voting Noe: Comm. Davis and Wright. Comm. Davis stated for the record that the Planning Department was becoming very top-heavy and that he felt the Board was setting another dangerous precedent. Comm. Wright moved, seconded by Comm. Davis, that the entire Salaries and Wages Detail for Planning and Zoning be disapproved. Comm. Wright withdrew her motion; Comm. Davis withdrew his second. By common consent, a 7.5 percent cost-of-living increase was approved for J. Schillmoller, Planner II, through J. Weiss, Secretary II. Comm. Vaughan moved, seconded by Chm. Powell, that the Board approve the additional position of a Planning Aide and that Mr. Fender be encouraged to hire B. Long if she were the most qualified person. Upon vote, motion was approved as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Davis, Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. Voting Noe: Comm. Wright. Chm. Powell moved, seconded by Comm. Hall, that the Board approve the additional Transportation Planner, Planner II, and Secretary II as requested. Upon vote, motion carried as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. Voting Noe: Comm. Davis and Wright. Comm. Hall moved, seconded by Chm. Powell, that the two part-time student interns be approved as requested. Upon vote, motion carried as follows: Voting Aye: Comm. Hall, Vaughan, and Chm. Powell. Voting Noe: Comm. Davis and Wright. By common consent, all items in the Planning and Zoning budget which vere not acted upon separately were approved as proposed. EXECUTIVE SESSION Comm. Vaughan moved, seconded by Chm. Powell, that the meeting be recessed to go into executive sessian to discuss personnel. Upon vote, motion carried unanimously. Chm. Powell recessed the meeting to go into executive session at 8:15 PM. Chm. Powell adjourned the executive session to go back into regular session at 8:45 PM. ADMINISTRATION BUDGET By common consent, Account #ll 420 10, Auto Allowance, was increased from $1,500 to $2,100 in order to give Mr. J. Di Sarno a$50 per month travel allowance. Comm. Wright moved, seconded by Comm. Hall, that the salary of W. G. Haynes be approved as recommended by the County Manager at $5,904. Motion carried unanimously. Comm. Wright moved, seconded by Chm. Powell, that the position of Administrative Officer I be deleted from the budget and continued under the Public Employment Program and that this position be reviewed when this Program ran out and, further, that Mr. Di Sarno be authorized a travel allowance of $50 per month. Upon vote, motion carried unanimously. . ~ _ ~ MINUTES OF BUDGET HEARING, JUNE 12, 1974 (CONTINUED) Page 6 FINANCE BUDGET Comm. Wright moved, seconded by Chm. Powell, that the Auditor's salary remain at the same level as fiscal year 1973-1974 due to a reduction in duties. Upon vote, motion carried unanimously. Comm. Wright moved that E. C. Edens, Accounting Supervisor, be classified at a Grade 64, Step 3, at $10,164 per year. Comm. Wright withdrew her motion. By common consent, E. C. Edens, Accounting Supervisor, was placed on a Grade 63, Step 3, at $9,708 per year. By common consent, all of the rema.ining personnel in the Finance Department were approved at the salary recommended by the County Manager with the exception of J. C. Emory due to some question in her classification. County Manager Eller was requested to come back to the Board with additional information on J. C. Emory. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Chm. Powell adjourned the meeting at 9:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, . /f~ se K. King ~/l ~ Clerk to the Board k