HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune_1_2004_Briefing_MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET SESSION AND AGENDA BRIEFING MINUTES
JUNE 1, 2004
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met for a Fiscal Year 2004-2005
Budget Session on Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at 4:00 p.m., in the Iredell County
Government Center (South Wing Conference Room), 200 South Center Street,
Statesville, NC. Immediately following the budget session (5:00 p.m.) the board held
an agenda briefing (same location).
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, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Johnson.
DISCUSSION REGARDING THE BUDGET REQUEST OF THE
SHEPHERDS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT (VFD): Joining the
commissioners to discuss the VFD's budget request were the Shepherds VFD Chief
Kelly Robinson and Jamie Barrier.
County Manager Mashburn said the tax rate for the Shepherds district was
recommended at $.0425, but the VFD officials requested $.06.
Robinson said the department's current $416,450 budget included a $50,000
transfer from fund balance. He said the $50,000 was being used for operating expenses.
Chief Robinson said the biggest issue this year was for part-time employees, and a total
of $137,320 had been budgeted for all personnel. He said the VFD had two stations and
adequate staffing was needed. Robinson said it was especially important to have staff at
the NC 150 west station due to this area having the largest tax base.
Chairman Johnson asked how much in funding was needed for two employees.
Blumenstein said, based on Chief Robinson's figures, approximately $62,320.
She said one cent in the Shepherds district brought in $87,874. She also said the
Shepherds fund balance at June 30, 2004 was estimated to be $29,095.
Barrier said the VFD's calls were evenly split between the two stations. He said
subcommittees had helped in the department's budget request, and cuts had already
been made.
Robinson said the firemen had reviewed the possibility of having one person at
each station, but found this would be unworkable. He said the department was trying
to obtain a six insurance rating, and if this occurred, the taxpayers would experience a
substantial tax decrease. Robinson asked the commissioners about their opinions on
the VFDs responding to every medical dispatch.
Commissioner Williams said he knew First Responder calls were expensive, but
it was his understanding that if VFD supplies were used, the EMS replenished the
materials.
Barrier said the First Responder Program was a good service, but it was
expensive.
Robinson said he wanted to make a point about the medical dispatches because
many people did not understand why a $300,000 fire truck was responding to a medical
call. He said it probably took $10,000 a year to run the program.
Commissioner Madison asked if the VFD had ever approached the Town of
Mooresville about contracting out for some of the calls
Robinson said no.
Barrier said that eventually through annexation, the district would be lost to the
Town of Mooresville. He also pointed out that the Gabriel Estates Subdivision was
situated directly across from the Shepherds VFD, but the development was not within
the station's fire protection district.
MOTION by Chairman Johnson to set the Shepherds fire tax rate at $.05 per
$100 valuation.
AMENDMENT by Commissioner Madison stipulating that in addition to the
tax rate increase, a meeting would be scheduled involving the county manager, the
county fire marshal, the Mooresville Town Manager, the Mooresville Town Fire Chief,
the Shepherds VFD Chief, and the Mount Mourne VFD Chief for the purpose of
pursuing an agreement that would eliminate double coverage and incompatibility of
services.
Johnson accepted the amendment.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
5:00 P.M.
AGENDA BRIEFING
All commissioners were present.
Staff attending were: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Finance Director Susan
Blumenstein, Planning and Code Enforcement Director Lynn Niblock, Planning
Supervisor Ron Smith, Emergency Services Director Tracy Jackson, Purchasing Agent
Evie Caldwell, Health Director Ray Rabe, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
REQUEST FROM THE IREDELL-STATESVILLE SCHOOLS FOR
APPROVAL OF A 2003-2004 CAPITAL OUTLAY AMENDMENT: Iredell-
Statesville Superintendent Dr. Terry Holliday, Maintenance Services Director Dr.
Kenny Miller, and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Steve Lane requested approval of a 2003-
04 capital outlay amendment. Superintendent Holliday said the amendment was being
requested to provide for year-end maintenance projects, and the funding would come
from savings realized from wastewater projects. He said that in addition, the system
had received funding of $116,000 ($25,000 from the Mooresville Graded Schools for
the bus garage addition, $30,000 from the state for right-of-ways, and $61,000 in sales
tax refunds).
Dr. Miller shared a Capital Outlay Five Year Plan. (The system had previously
submitted detailed information regarding the FY 03-04 capital outlay budget
amendment.) In regards to Celeste Henkel Elementary, Miller said boiler repair funds
were in this year's budget. He said the boiler would basically be overhauled and all
piping would be cleaned. Pertaining to Scotts Elementary, he said a new septic field
had been constructed and some savings were realized from this project. Dr. Miller said
he hoped the City of Statesville would move forward on the pump station near Ebenezer
Elementary.
Finance Director Blumenstein said the amendment involved no new money, and
it was basically being used to transfer funds from one source to another.
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(Following the presentation from the school officials, the county staff explained
their June 1 agenda requests, and a summary of these comments may be found in the
regular minutes.)
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Johnson adjourned the briefing at 5:55 p.m.
Approved:
Clerk to the Board