1988-05-09 Budget Hearings
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MINUTES OF BUDGET HEARINGS, MAY 9, 1988
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ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Conunissioners met in
Special Session to hold Budget Hearings on Monday, May 9,
1988, at 9:00 o'clock A.M. in the Assembly Room of the New
Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners Jonathan Barfield,
Sr.; W. Albert Corbett, Jr.; Fred Retchin; Vice-Chairman,
Nolan 0' Neal; Chairman, John M. Dolan; County Manager, G.
Felix Cooper; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Director of Finance, Andrew J. Atkinson, gave the
invocation.
Chairman Dolan called the meeting to order.
BUDGET HEARINGS FOR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS
The following County Departments presented budget
requests with no action being taken:
Board of Education
Department of Social Services
Health Department
New Hanover County Library
Cape Fear Conununity College
New Hanover County Museum
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Budget Hearing - Sheriff's Department
Sheriff Joe McQueen presented the Fiscal Year 1988/89
Budget Request for the Sheriff's Department. He stated
after discussion with the County Manager on the 21 positions
requested, seven of which were already on board, he was
satisfied with the Manager's recommendation of 13
additional positions even though one position had to be cut.
County Manager Cooper stated many of the positions
agreed upon by he and the Sheriff were based on filling
these positions later during Fiscal Year 1988/89. He
requested authorization from the Commissioners to fill these
positions earlier than budgeted, if funds should become
available in the Sheriff's budget.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to
authorize the County Manager to fill the budgeted positions
earlier if funds become available.
A lengthy discussion was held on the increase of drug
related crimes throughout the County. Chairman Dolan
stressed the importance of controlling the drug problem
before it becomes too late urging both governing bodies to
commit to funding that will adequately equip and staff the
City/County Narcotics Unit.
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Captain Vallender gave background information on the
City/County Narcotics Unit composed of three (3) City
detectives and five (5) County detectives stating at least
two additional positions are needed for this unit to operate
effectively. He commented on an inunediate need for
additional funding to purchase four (4) used vehicles.
Commissioner Barfield expressed concern for the
increase of crime within the inter-city reconunending
approval of funding for two (2) additional detective
positions for the Narcotics Unit. He stated the drug
problem must be addressed.
Commissioner Corbett asked County Manager Cooper the
amount of additional funding needed for two full time
detecti ve positions and the purchase of four vehicles for
the Narcotics Unit. County Manager Cooper stated two full
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MINUTES OF BUDGET HEARINGS, MAY 9, 1988 (CONTINUED)
time positions would increase the Budget Request by $39,466
and the purchase of four (4) vehicles by approximately
$39,000. He recommended purchasing the vehicles, if needed
immediately, out of the current budget Contingency Fund.
After further discussion of additional detecti ve
positions and the importance of both local governments being
willing to commit funding to adequately provide manpower to
the City/County Narcotics Unit, it was the consensus of the
Commissioners to discuss this matter with the Wilmington
City Council.
After discussion of an immediate need to purchase
vehicles, Conunissioner Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by
Commissioner Barfield to approve the expenditure of $39,000
for purchase of four (4) vehicles for the Narcotics Unit of
the Sheriff's Department to be appropriated from the 1987/88
Contingency Fund. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
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Discussion of Budget Request for Wrightsboro Volunteer Fire
Department
Reverend Henry Lee, Pastor of the Wrightsboro Baptist
Church, presented a petition signed by 218 businesses,
churches, and schools; 2,344 residential homes; and
approximately 728 mobile homes within the Wrightsboro Fire
District. He requested the County Commissioners to provide
additional funding in the amount of $30,000 to the
wrightsboro Volunteer Fire Department 1988/89 Budget
Request. He stated the citizens of the community are quite
concerned about adequate funding being provided to purchase
the necessary equipment for protection of homes and property
in this rapidly growing area. He commented on the original
Budget Request in the amount of $176,000 submitted to the
Board of Fire Commissioners with a reduction of $48,000
stating Wrightsboro Volunteer Fire Department cannot
maintain its present level of service on the recommended
budget of $128,000.
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Chairman Dolan asked if the Board of Fire Commissioners
had been advised of these needs. Mr. Leonard Long, Chief of
the Wrightsboro Volunteer Fire Department, stated these
needs were presented in the 1988/89 Budget Request and that
for the past two years, the Board of Fire conunissioners had
seen fit to reduce the amount of funds requested.
A lengthy discussion was held on impact fees. Chief
Long stated impact fees are paid directly to the County with
Volunteer Fire Departments requesting reimbursement through
the Board of Fire Commissioners who require specifications
as to how the fees are to be used. He expressed concern for
this procedure stating the County Ordinance very clearly
states impact fees will be paid directly to Volunteer Fire
Departments.
Chief Long expressed concern for the Board of Fire
Conunissioners establishing the tax rate before hearing
Budget Requests from the Volunteer Fire Departments.
Chairman Dolan stated by consensus the Board of County
Commissioners decided not to raise the tax rate in the Fire
Service District; therefore, the Board of Fire Commissioners [
submitted budget reconunendations accordingly. ~
Chief Long stated at the current level of funding, the
Wrightsboro Volunteer Fire Department will have to scale
down its operations. He invited the Conunissioners and/or
County Manager to visit the Wrightsboro Volunteer Fire
Department to review audit reports and operational costs.
Chairman Dolan expressed concern for this invitation being
extended to the Board of County Conunissioners and/or County
Manager when a Board of Fire Commissioners, composed of
representatives from all Volunteer Fire Departments, has
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MINUTES OF BUDGET HEARINGS, MAY 9, 1988 (CONTINUED)
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been appointed to perform reviews and studies of this
nature.
County Manager Cooper commented on the increase in
funding provided by New Hanover County to Volunteer Fire
Departments within the past few years stating very few
counties throughout the State of North Carolina are willing
to make such commitments.
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Chairman Dolan thanked Reverend Lee and Chief Long for
expressing their views.
A copy of the petition presented by Reverend Lee is on
file in the Clerk's office.
MEETING RECESSED FOR LUNCH
Chairman Dolan recessed the meeting for lunch from
12:05 o'clock P.M. to 1:05 o'clock P.M.
BUDGET HEARINGS FOR NON-COUNTY AGENCIES
The following Non-County Agencies presented Budget
Requests with no action being taken:
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Katie B. Hines Senior Center
Community Penalties Program, Inc.
Marine Research & Development Crescent
St. John's Museum of Art
United Cerebral Palsy Development Center
YAHWEH Center, Inc.
Arts Council of the Lower Cape Fear
Mother Hubbard's Cupboard
Food Bank of the Lower Cape Fear
Legal Services of the Lower Cape Fear'
Cape Fear Substance Abuse Center (Crisis Line/Open
House/Rape Crisis)
Elderhaus
Hospitality House of Wilmington, Inc.
Wilmington Industrial Development, Inc.
Domestic Violence Shelter & Services, Inc.
Families In Crisis
New Hanover Community Services-CBA
Southeastern Sickle Cell Association
Pine Forest Cemetery Board
Keep America Beautiful
Bellamy Mansion, Inc.
MEETING RECESSED
Chairman Dolan recessed the meeting at 4: 20
P.M. to be continued on Tuesday, May 10, 1988,
o'clock A.M.
o'clock
at 9: 00
MINUTES OF CONTINUED SPECIAL MEETING, MAY 10, 1988
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
reconvened to Special Session on Tuesday, May 10, 1988, at
9:00 o'clock A.M. in the Assembly Room of the County
Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington,
North Carolina.
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Members present were: Commissioners Jonathan Barfield,
Sr.; W. Albert Corbett, Jr; Fred Retchin; Vice-Chairman,
Nolan O'Neal; County Manager, G. Felix Cooper; and Clerk to
the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman John M. Dolan arrived at 9:20 o'clock A.~.
Vice-Chairman O'Neal called the Special ~essiori to
order.
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