HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay_29_2008_Budget_MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET SESSION MINUTES
MAY 29, 2008
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met for a Budget Review Session on
Thursday, May 29, 2008, at 5:30 P.M., in the Iredell County Government Center (South Wing
Conference Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chairman Marvin Norman
Vice Chairman Sara Haire Tice
Steve Johnson
Godfrey Williams
Ken Robertson
(Due to a prior commitment, Mr. Robertson was a few minutes late for the meeting.)
Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Deputy County Manager Susan
Blumenstein, Assistant County Manager Tracy Jackson, Assistant Finance Director Deb Alford,
and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Norman.
BUDGET UPDATE: Deputy County Manager Blumenstein reviewed the changes from
the May 27 meeting as follows:
Special Appropriations: Reduction of $26,915.
DSS Budget: Blumenstein noted changes in the general fund and said there
would be a savings realized in the foster care program.
Vehicle Purchases: Reduction of $240,000
Fuel Contingency: Increase of $241,387
Property & Liability Insurance: Reduction of $89,450
Update on Harmony Library Computers: County Manager Mashburn said the staff had
evaluated the Harmony computer needs, and it was determined that one-half of computers could
be purchased this year and the remainder in FY 09-10.
Vehicle Purchases: Commissioner Johnson mentioned that unless a vehicle had a
problem, it should remain in the fleet until the odometer had around 150,000 miles. Johnson said
the vehicle replacement evaluation should be a combination of the mileage and the vehicle's
repair history.
Mashburn shared a Vehicle Mileage Comparison List, and said that during the initial staff
review, there was an inaccurate understanding on the mileage. He said the review occurred in
March, and the staff did not realize the listed mileages were estimates as of "switch -over time."
Mashburn said this was a "flaw" in the review process, and it appeared that around eight cars
could be retained.
Commissioner Johnson mentioned the need for the board to be updated throughout the
year on revenues and fuel expenditures.
Blumenstein said a formal presentation would be given to the board in November.
MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to approve the Vehicle Mileage Comparison List
as presented and to review the surplus inventory for a mini -van to be used by the fire marshal's
office.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
(Commissioner Robertson had not arrived at the meeting when this motion occurred.)
Social Services: Blumenstein said a new paralegal position was recommended to assist
the DSS attorneys. She said the position would not be filled until August.
Schools: Blumenstein said 10.5 cents was designated for school capital and the
remainder of the appropriation was left for current expense. She said the per pupil rate was
7.79% or $1,466 a student, and the entire educational budget was based on a formula.
Commissioner Williams said the formula method was providing the schools with larger
amounts of the county budget each year. He mentioned that benchmarks might be needed to
evaluate the formula.
Johnson noted the four percent growth projection for the county. He said a minimum of
eight percent growth was needed, if using the present school funding formula.
EMS: Blumenstein distributed information on proposed EMS fee increases as follows:
Service
Current
Proposed
ALS NE
$300
$400
ALS E
$350
$450
BLS NE
$275
$275
BLS E
$350
$350
ALS 2
$500
$750
Mileage 1-17
$9
$10
Mileage >50
$9
$10
ALS Treatment / no transport
$140
$140
Volunteer Fire Departments: Blumenstein then reviewed the VFD tax rates.
In regards to East Alexander's request for an increase, Commissioner Johnson said
contact would be made with the VFD Chief. (The manager's recommendation for this
department was $55,250 while the VFD requested $91,950.)
Capital Reserve: This fund was discussed but no changes were made from the manager's
recommendation.
Parks Capital Reserve Fund: Commissioner Johnson noted the steep terrain at some parts
of the Stumpy Creek Park.
Mashburn said trails might be evaluated for the elderly and wheelchair confined.
Commissioner Williams said the problems about Stumpy Creek would be mentioned at a
Recreation Advisory Board Meeting. He said that at the North Iredell Park, C & S Grading had
agreed to perform some work, and Olin Turf would do the seeding.
911 Emergency Fund & JCPC Budget: These budgets were reviewed with no changes.
Health Care Benefits Fund: Mashburn said the new Wellness Program should begin to
show results in the second year. He said the program's benefits would be evident by reduced
health care cost claims.
Solid Waste Budget: Commissioner Johnson asked the status on the proposed $2 a ton
North Carolina surcharge on solid waste disposal.
Blumenstein said the fee was included in the budget even though the state had not
formally approved the tax.
County Assembly Day: Mashburn reminded everyone about the NCACC's County
Assembly Day on June 10 in Raleigh, NC.
UPDATE ON KOOKS CUSTOM HEADERS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
INCENTIVE OF $97,900: Clerk to the Board Jean Moore said that on May 20, 2008, an
economic development incentive public hearing was held for Kooks Custom Headers based on a
$5.5 million investment. (The investment amount was provided by Mike Smith with the Greater
Statesville Development Corporation.) She said a motion was made approving the $97,900
incentive; however, Smith later said the company planned to invest only $4 million.
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The board members had no problem with the lower incentive ($71,200), along with the
reduced investment of $4 million, and an economic development agreement will be drafted using
these amounts.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Norman adjourned the meeting at 7:15 P.M. (NEXT
MEETING: Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 5 and 7 P.M., in the Iredell County Government Center,
200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.)
Approved:
Clerk to the Board