1994-06-02 Budget Work Session
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MINUTES OF BUDGET WORK SESSION, JUNE 2, 1994
PAGE 107
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Budget
Work Session on Thursday, June 2, 1994, at 12:50 P.M. in Room 501
of the New Hanover County Administration Building, Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners Sandra Barone; William A.
Caster; William E. Sisson, Jr.; Vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.;
Chairman Robert G. Greer; County Manager, Allen 0' Neal; County
Attorney, Wanda M. copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F.
Harrell.
Chairman Greer called the Budget Work Session to order.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED FY 1994-95 FIRE DISTRICT BUDGET
commissioner Sisson reported on the following increases and
decreases in the Fire District Budget:
(1) winter Park Volunteer Fire Department: $5,000 increase,to
upgrade worn out equipment.
(2) Wrightsboro Volunteer Fire Department: $5,010 increase
for modifications to a pick-up truck used as a"water point
truck.
(3) Ogden Volunteer Fire Department: $10,000 decrease due to
equipment payments that were paid in advance during last year.
(4) Federal Point Volunteer Fire Department: $2,400 increase
to retire debt service on equipment.
(5) Seagate Volunteer Fire Department: $10,995 for purchase
of a water tanker.
Discussion was held on the generation of revenues versus
expenses in the Fire District account. Budget Director, Cam
Griffin, reported an administrative reserve is being established
because current expenditures are more than current revenues.
commissioner Sisson reported discussion has been held on
increasing fire inspection fees to cover the cost; however, because
of the various types of inspections, this cost cannot be fully
recovered. Also, the tower for the 800 mhz system is coming out of
Fire District funds.
Commissioner Barone inquired as to why the budget request for
the Castle Hayne Volunteer Fire Department was not cut by $1,500
when the Director of Emergency Management had recommended this
reduction? .
commissioner Sisson reported Castle Hayne does not have a
water tanker and at the present time a tanker can be purchased at
a reasonable price. Since this Volunteer Fire Department provides
coverage to areas with very few water sources, it was the opinion
of the Fire Commission that funds. should be budgeted to purchase
the tanker.
After further discussion, commissioner Sisson complimented the
Board of Fire Commissioners for the preparation of the proposed
budget. One member of the Fire Commission, Dennis PinhO, has
recommended moving from a line item budget for the Volunteer Fire
Departments to a category budget. This will allow the departments
to shift money back and forth within the categories without budget
amendments..
It was generally agreed that a category budget would be more
appropriate for the Fire District.
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MINUTES OF BUDGET WORK SESSION,.JUNE 2, 1994
PAGE 108
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED FY 1994-95 COUNTY BUDGET
Chairman Greer announced this is an opportunity for the
Commissioners to address items of concern before adoption of the FY
1994-95 County Budget.
After a lengthy discussion on the various items of concern the
Board agreed to modify the proposed budget as follows:
(1) Transfer $15,000 from the Department of Aging to the Food
Bank of Coastal Carolina.
(2) Fund the Community Penalties Program by $10,000.
(3) Fund Soil & Water Conservation by $1,000.
(4) Add funds in the amount of $30,031 to the Department of
Aging for increasing two half-time temporary positions to two
full-time permanent positions.
(5) Move funds budgeted as a contribution to the Airport to
"rent" in the Sheriff's Department.
(6) Move $2,500 for fireworks from Riverfest to the N. C.
Battleship Commission for a VJ Day fireworks display during
Riverfest.
(7) Add $7,166 to the Museum to move two temporary part-time
positions to full-time temporary positions with no benefits.
Discussion was held on the recommendations submitted by the
Human Services Allocation Advisory Committee. Chairman Greer
expressed concern for some- outside agencies receiving more funds
than requested and other agencies, who have received funding in the
past, not being recommended to receive any funding.
Budget Director Griffin reported the Human Services Allocation
Advisory Committee worked with the same of amount of funds as
budgeted in FY 1993-94. The Committee reviewed each agency and
allocated funds based upon the services rendered and the benefit of
these services to the community. The Commissioners may wish to use
the Human Services Allocation Advisory Comm.ittee for preparing
funding recommendations for CBA agencies only, not for the outside
agencies that receive funding from the county's general fund.
County Manager O'Neal reported the funding of outside agencies
could become a "pork barrel" issue and stated utilizing the
services of the Human Services Allocation Advisory Committee allows
a review of these agencies in a completely objective manner. In
his opinion, the Committee performs an excellent job and relieves
the commissioners from a very time consuming process.
Discussion was held on the additional position requested for
the Register of D~ds Office. It was generally agreed to allow the
Human Resources Director and MIS Director to review the complete
functions of the office before approvi~g an additional position.
Once the review is completed, a recommendation will be presented to
the Board.
Discussion was held on the proposed budget for New Hanover
County Schools. Commissioner Sisson stressed the importance of
ensuring that monies allocated for renovations a~d maintenance in
th~ School Budget are spent on these items. The general public is
quite concerned about the condition of schools and would like some
form of assurance that maintenance will be performed on current and
future burldings. He requested County Manager O'Neal to present a
recommendation.
County Manager O'Neal reported under North carolina General
Statutes the County can allocate funds by purpose, function or
project as defined in the uniform budget format of the schools.
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MINUTES OF BUDGET WORK SESSION, JUNE 2, 1994
PAGE 109
The Commissioners can request the Board of Education to forward
written monthly reports on certain expenditures in order for the
County to review and monitor these expenditures. The Commissioners
would have to decide the amount to be allocated for maintenance and
specify in the County's Budget Ordinance that any decrease or
increase above 10% percent would have to be approved by the Board
of County commissioners. The monthly reports would have to be
monitored each month to keep up with expenditures.
After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed to adopt the School
Budget as proposed and request the Board of Education, in
accordance with N. C. General Statutes 115C-429(b) to furnish a
monthly report on the physical maintenance of the buildings and the
renovations that are not included in the bond issue. This will
allow the County to build a track record on how funds are being
expended for maintenance and renovations.
COMMISSIONER WILLIAM A. SISSON, JR. EXCUSED FROM THE MEETING
Commissioner Sisson was excused from the meeting at 2:30 P.M.
Discussion was held on the request by the Veterans Council for
hiring a full-time County employee as the Veterans Service Officer.
commissioner Barone reported that Mr. Harold Davis did not realize
that Mr. Townsend has not requested a full-time County employee as
the Veterans Services Officer.
Budget Director
with Mr. Townsend,
aJ;'rangement.
Griffin reported this matter was discussed
and he was satisfied with the present
It was agreed for the appropriation to remain as budgeted last
year.
County Manager O'Neal reported the County has allocated
$200,000 to the schools for a special pension fund. The schools
can go another year without using these funds for this purpose and
the $200,000 can be given to the schools to assist them with
continuing the newly implemented programs, such as year around
schools.
After further discussion, it was agreed for the County to fund
the pension plan by $100,000 and allow the schools to use the
remaining $100,000 as they so desire.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 2:59 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
rA2'v~/~
~::::. 'H~n.=ell
Clerk to the Board
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