2006-06-09 Budget Work Session
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION, JUNE 9,2006
BOOK 30
PAGE 616
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Work Session on Friday, June 9, 2006, at
10:20 a.ill. in the Conference Room of the Wilmington International Airport, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Robert G. Greer; Vice-Chairman William A. Caster; Commissioner Ted
Davis, Jr.; Commissioner William A. Kopp, Jr.; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Manager Bruce Shell;
County Attorney Wanda M. Copley and Clerk to the Board Sheila 1. Schult.
Others present were: Budget Director Cam Griffin; Senior Budget Analyst Norma Troutman; Budget Analyst
Donna Seal; Finance Director Avril Pinder; Assistant County Manager Andre' Mallette and Assistant County Manager
Patricia Melvin.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and reported that the budget presented by County Manager Bruce
Shell included a one cent increase bringing the tax rate to 69 cents. In response to the previous Budget Work Session
County Manager Shell responded with a list of reductions for reducing the recommended tax rate by one cent.
Commissioner Pritchett stated that she would like to see a token amount be included in the budget for non-
profits so that when they apply for grants they will be able to report that they have County support. She also stated that
she endorsed additional transportation service to the Detention Center on weekends.
Chairman Greer requested direction from the Board on how they would like to proceed.
After brief discussion, the consensus of the Board was to review and reach consensus on the Proposed
Adjustments to the FY 06-07 Recommended Budget to Maintain a Constant Tax Rate and Other Adjustments list
submitted by County Manager Shell.
After discussion, the following items were approved by consensus to be removed from the FY 06-07
Recommended Budget:
. Additional hours to the Wellness Center in the amount of $36,986
. Additional transportation to the Detention Center on weekends in the amount of $11 ,258
. Addition of a Photo Historian in the amount of $24,000
. Addition of Library hours in the amount of $108,710
. Dog park at Ogden Park in the amount of $25,000
. Park utilities in the amount of $20,000
After discussion, the following items were approved by consensus to remain in the FY 06-07 Recommended
Budget:
. Expansion of the NE Branch Library parking lot and book budget in the amount of $125,000
. Contribution to NHC Schools in the amount of $300,000
. Cooperative Extension Services parking lot improvements in the amount of $159,147
. Airlie Gardens pathway improvements in the amount of $150,000
. Sheriff's Office salaries and benefits in the amount of $100,000
. Sheriff's Office uniforms in the amount of $30,000
After discussion on non-County agency contributions the following changes were approved by consensus:
. No County funding for the Cameron Art Museum
. No County funding for the Cape Fear Literacy Council
. County funding in the amount of $10,000 for the Good Shepherd Ministry
Budget Director Cam Griffin reported that based on consensus by the Board, $246,000 had been removed from
the FY 06-07 Recommended Budget.
After discussion, the consensus of the Board was to direct Staff to present to the Board at their June 19th
meeting, a recommended budget that includes a one-half cent tax rate increase. The recommendation should include the
removal of the budget items totaling $246,000 and the adjustment of the appropriated fund balance.
Hearing no further comments, Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 12:00 p.ill.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila 1. Schult
Clerk to the Board