HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 15 2003 Briefing Minutes1IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BRIEFING MINUTES
JULY 15, 2003
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on
Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at 5:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center (South
Wing Conference Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Present were:
Chairman Steve D. Johnson
Vice Chairman Godfrey Williams
Doug Madison
Marvin Norman
Sara Haire Tice
Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Finance Director Susan
Blumenstein, Planning Supervisor Ron Smith, Planning/Code Enforcement Director
Lynn Niblock, Recycling Coordinator Carla Parks, Solid Waste Adminstrative Officer
Susan Cornell, Tax Administrator Bill Doolittle, Emergency Services Director Tracy
Jackson, Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle, Health Director Ray Rabe, Support Services
Director Jim Vernon, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
Call to Order by Chairman Johnson.
Request for the Appointment of Linda L. Morrow and Ann Gray Starnes as
Deputy Tax Collectors in Accordance with G.S. 105-349(f): Tax Administrator Bill
Doolittle requested that two employees in the tax office be appointed as deputy tax
collectors. He said G.S. 105-349(f) authorized permission for the board to make the
appointments, and a term of office ranging from one to four years was recommended.
County Manager Mashburn questioned the need to have a term of office. He
said that if any discipline problems occurred, a term of office would "add another layer
or hurdle" that would have to be resolved when taking corrective action. Mashburn
requested for the appointments to be delayed until the next meeting in order for the staff
to re-evaluate the request.
Request for Approval of a Security Services Contract for the Social
Services Department, Court Facilities, Library, and the Health Department:
County Manager Mashburn said that initially the county started using part-time security
guards at the library. He said that later they were hired for the social services
department, the court facilities, and the health department. Mashburn said due to the
increased demand for this type of service, that during the budget process it was decided
to seek proposals. He said three proposals were received and they were from the
following companies.
FY 2003-04
Weiser Security Services, Charlotte, NC $ 327,802.42
Grant Protective Services, Statesville, NC $ 344,709.50
Wilson Security Services, Statesville, NC $ 368,759.00
Mashburn said Wilson Security was currently the provider; however, this
company's bid was $40,956 higher than the lowest proposal from Weiser. He said a
representative from Weiser had indicated the company had an "exhaustive" training
program, and it currently provided security at Charlotte Presbyterian Hospital as well as
court facilities in other states. He said, however, the county department heads using the
service, along with Sheriff Redmond, desired to remain with Wilson Security.
Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle said the security officers at the Hall of Justice were
familiar with the court schedule and with most of the individuals who frequented the
facility on a daily basis. He mentioned that if the service were taken over by a new
agency, re-training would have to occur and this might cut into any savings that might
have been initially envisioned.
Commissioner Madison asked how much it would cost to train new guards.
Dowdle said he couldn't make an estimate.
Health Director Rabe said the current provider was a local company and the
lowest bidder was located in Charlotte. He said his department did not need a transition
in security services at the present time.
Commissioner Tice mentioned how valuable it was to have officers familiar
with the people who regularly entered and exited the court facilities. She also
mentioned it was her understanding that when bid proposals were requested that
normally there was a clause stating the services should be equal and comparable.
Mashburn said that actually the statutes did not require bids for security
services. He mentioned the board had the option of rejecting all of the bids.
(See regular minutes for additional information regarding this matter.)
Upcoming Certificates of Participation (COPS) Financing: Finance Director
Blumenstein said work had started on the COPS. She mentioned that some people had
questioned why the proceedings had commenced since some of the school bids had not
been received. Blumenstein said timing was essential, and if the projects had to be
separated into two issuances there would be more cost. She estimated that if two
closings had to be held, approximately $500,000 would be lost. Mrs. Blumenstein
noted, however, that if something out of ordinary occurred, e.g., unacceptable bond
rates, another means of financing might have to be found.
Contracts with Volunteer Fire Departments: Chairman Johnson shared
information from a 2003 Report for the Volunteer Fire Department Fund given to him
from House Representative Frank Mitchell. Johnson said two VFDs applied for funds
but neither one received any funding. Mr. Johnson suggested that the contracts with
the VFDs not included in the county -wide fire district be reviewed at the next meeting.
He also suggested that an amendment be incorporated into the contracts stating the
members of the fire department's board of directors would be members of the
community, and that they would not be associated with the fire department.
Commissioner Williams said he felt all of the VFD contracts, both for the
county -wide fire district and for the voted -in fire tax districts, needed to be reviewed.
(See regular minutes for additional information regarding this matter.)
Adjournment: Chairman Johnson adjourned the briefing at 6:38 p.m.
Approved:
2
Clerk to the Board