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Home My WebLink AboutOctober_21_2008_Mini-Retreat_MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MINI -RETREAT MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2008 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met for a Mini -Retreat on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 beginning at 12:30 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 Ken Robertson Godfrey Williams Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, , Deputy County Manager Susan Blumenstein, Assistant County Manager Tracy Jackson, Planning & Development Director Ron Smith, Code Enforcement & Special Projects Director Lynn Niblock, Recreation Director Robert Woody, Tax Administrator Bill Doolittle, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore. CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Norman RECREATION MASTER PLAN: Recreation Director Robert Woody, along with Recreation Advisory Board members, Bill Benfield, Pam Christopher, and Barbara Thorson, along with Site Solutions Consultant Derrick Williams presented the recreation master plan. Woody said it was still a goal to follow a district park concept and build four parks in the county. He said the county currently had 183 acres in park land while the plan recommended 320 and on up to 400 acres by 2020. Christopher said the first master plan was completed in 1978 (joint plan with City of Statesville), and the four -park concept was approved in 1992. She said this master plan extended through 2020, and the Recreation Advisory Board had unanimously approved it. Mrs. Christopher then reviewed several components of the plan and noted the Capital Improvement Program with a total budget cost of $23,650,000. Christopher asked the board of commissioners to also approve the plan. Commissioner Robertson said the listed needs were indeed needed; however, the Mooresville area had the highest population, yet, most of the plan's funding was not for that section of the county. He said one of the suggested funding sources were General Obligation Bonds, but he felt the Mooresville residents wouldn't approve them due to the proceeds being used in other areas of the county. Christopher said the plan was for all county citizens. She said they might reside in one sector; however, they could be traveling to the other areas to use a facility. Commissioner Johnson said the plan was trying to provide facilities in areas where there were no parks currently located. He asked about future annexations and how this would be an impact. Woody said the municipalities already had parks, and one bond was recently approved. He said the towns would provide some services in the future. Derrick Williams said his company was working with the Town of Troutman on a master parks plan. He said the Warren Report and the Comprehensive Land Plan mentioned the municipalities "exerting more influence in the future." Williams said Troutman's park plan would show recreation areas beyond the current town limits. Commissioner Godfrey Williams asked about the proposal to expand Stumpy Creek Park. Woody said that if the Stumpy Creek ball fields had lights, this would allow night games. He said two fields already had lights and this was due to funding from Lowes. Commissioner Tice asked how long the Duke Power land lease extended for the Stumpy Creek site. Woody said it was a 25 -year lease that was signed in 1997. Commissioner Johnson said the Duke Relicensing agreement might have extended the lease to 50 years. Commissioner Tice asked if Site Solutions considered the county's population in developing the plan. Derrick Williams said yes, and the company tried to be conservative with the population numbers. He mentioned that the Town of Mooresville had parks. Commissioner Robertson said the Mooresville residents had approved park bonds in the past, but they might not necessarily do so if they knew county residents primarily benefitted. Woody said the presented plan was "fluid" and a partnership with Troutman had been discussed, plus there were other options. Derrick Williams said the plan could be extended on out to 15 years, and the population trend might be northward. He said the master plan still recommended district parks at 75 to 100 acres. In regards to approving the plan, Commissioners Johnson and Tice mentioned the current economic downturn. County Manager Mashburn said the plan was futuristic for the county, and the presentation had occurred to start the process. Christopher acknowledged the economically trying times, but she said the Recreation Advisory Board just needed a start. (No action occurred on the plan.) UPDATE FROM THE GREATER STATESVILLE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (GSDC) & THE MOORESVILLE-SOUTH IREDELL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION: GSDC Director Mike Smith and M-SIDC Director Russ Rogerson provided an update on marketing and recruitment strategies occurring to promote Iredell County. They said the Internet was the number one source that consultants used to locate sites. In addition, they mentioned this area continued to attract prospects, and that while the "quantity was down, the quality was high." They mentioned the BioTech facility in Kannapolis, and said this facility would mean new opportunities, especially in jobs. Commissioner Williams asked what other counties might offer to attract industries. Smith said upfront infrastructure. Williams asked if Iredell County could assist with infrastructure along with the incentive program. Smith said yes -- on a case-by-case basis. Commissioner Tice mentioned the need for business parks with the infrastructure already established. 2 Smith mentioned the need to preserve industrial space. Rogerson mentioned the need to not forget existing county industries. UPDATE FROM THE COUNTY STAFF ON REVENUES & PROPOSED BUDGET REDUCTIONS: Deputy County Manager Susan Blumenstein and Tax Administrator Bill Doolittle reported on the county's economic condition. Doolittle said that on the positive side, airplane listings and valuations continued to increase. He shared a spreadsheet showing that the valuation in 2002 for planes was $18,845,004 compared to the 2008 amount of $267,110,182. In regards to new construction, a chart was provided showing that 3,635 permits (residential, industrial, and outbuildings) were issued in 2006 compared to 2,021 for this year. Blumenstein said the ad valorem taxes were about $956,240 over the estimated budget while the sales taxes were about $389,935 under budget. She said that also the Register of Deeds recording and revenue stamp revenues where coming in under budget as were the inspection permit fees and investment earnings. Blumenstein noted a 6.80% unemployment rate, but mentioned this did not include the jobs lost with the recent closing of Canac Kitchens. Blumenstein said a spreadsheet prepared by the planning department showed that for the past three month period (July — September) not any major subdivision plats had been recorded, and that in September not any minor subdivisions were recorded. Blumenstein said 2008-09 was a "lean" year to begin with, and with the recent budget reviews, it was predicted the county would need to make budgetary cuts totaling $2,408,565. She said meetings had occurred with the department heads and some line items had been reduced to compensate for the revenue losses. She shared the following spreadsheet that depicts the cuts. Proposed Budget Peductions BW2(a) Increase Acct. # Line Item Decease Dept Total General Fund Revenues Ad Valorem Taxes 104010 430100 Other Wlections 956,240 104010 430101 DelinquentTaxes 77,000 1,033,240 Sales Taxes 104015 431200 10 Sales Tax (983,000) 104015 431201 19831/2¢ Sales Tax 119,815 104015431202 19861/2¢ Sales Tax 155,750 104015431203 2002 1/20 Sales Tax 529,000 389,935 Regster of Deeds 104450 460200 Pkmding Fees 324,670 104450 431600 Revenue 750,000 1,074,670 Irspedions 104562 460000 Inspections & Pemit Fees 990,000 104562460200 RarsRevievFees 12,800 977,200 Investment EaminBs 104040 480000 Interest 1,000,000 1,000,000 3 W Rwenue Radiclions z4os Cma* Corrmssioners 100410 536000 Trairing & Devel 4,000 4,000 Adrinistration 100415 520005 Professional Services 11000 100415 536000 Train & Devel 1,000 2,000 FkrrmResources 100421 520005 ProfessionalSer\AOeS 2,000 100421 530000 Adverbs 3,000 5,000 Safety 100422 535000 Departirnental S.Wies 1,000 1,000 Finance 100430 536000 Trainng & Dev 11000 100430 610000 Depreciable Assets 10,850 100430 620000 Non -Depreciable Assets 2,705 14,555 Tax Adrin Assessor 100435 530000 4351 Advertsing1,000 100435 530500 4351 Dues 385 100435535018 4351 Supplies -Printed Mats 3,450 100435537508 4351 Cont ServicesOther 32,815 37,650 Collector 100435 520003 4352 Prof Servioes 10,000 100435 534000 4352 15,000 25,000 mappirdas 100435 534000 4353 200 100435532501 4353 Kbn & ui 2,000 100435535000 4353 Su ies- n-rtal 1,220 100435 535004 4353 Supplies - Vehide Fuel 350 100435536000 4353 Training & Dev 4,000 100435 537514 4353 Cont Serv-SdMere 11000 100435 620000 4353 able Assets 750 9,520 Rbappraisal 100435 535000 4354 Su ies r ental 9,800 100435 535018 4354 Su ies-Printed Material 1,800 100435 536000 4354 Traini & Dev 5,300 100435537508 4354 Cont SenAces-CIR-a 16,600 33,500 Info Tech Services 100445 537514 Cant Serv-Software 27,000 100445 610000 Depreciable Assets 34,000 4 61,000 Register of Deeds 100450 510003 Salaries- Part-time 10,000 100450 512505 ROD Supplemental Fire 20,000 100450 534000 10,000 100450 537508 Contracted Services 15,000 55,000 Fadlity Services 100455 510002 Salaries- Full Time 17,385 100455 512501 RCA 1,330 100455 512502 BTployee FWth Iris 4,640 100455 512503 MremaN 1,720 100455 535100 Road Sgn Rugam 24,800 100455 510003 Salaries - Part-tirre 8,000 100455 527000 Rdessional Services 20,000 100455532500 Main & rs-Brigs (12,000 100455534501 Renta u 3,000 100455535005 Su ies-VehideOther 1,000 100455535014 Janitorial Su ies 8,000 100455536000 Training &Dev 2,000 100455 605000 Buldl 20,000 100455 620000 Non -Depreciable Assets 4,000 2$125 ICGC-South 100458532500 Main & B 75,000 75,000 VehideSerAoes 100465 530500 Dues &SJ)Sa ions 1,995 100465 620000 Nort-DqxeciabeAssets 2,000 3,995 EconmicDevel 100475 564076 Inoentive 139,200 139,200 General Govenvnerital 100480 510009 Salaries - Redassificabons 60,000 100480 610000 Depreciable Assets 25,000 85,000 Sheriffs DWaftrort 100510 535000 9a ies- Departmental 32,000 100510 535004 Supplies - Amm 5,000 37,000 AriimalControl 100532 535000 Su ies- rtn-erM 3,500 100532 536000 Trahng & Dwd 8,000 100532 610000 Depreciable Assets 20,000 31,500 6 ECOM 100536 532500 Man & 500 100536 532501 Man & ui 2,500 100536 535000 Su ies n-enta 1,000 100536 535500 Td 11000 100536 536000 Traring & Devel 500 100536 536600 Unifoms 1,000 100536 537001 Utilities 500 7,000 Office of 100546 620000 Nm -Depreciable Assets 6,400 6,400 EMS 100542 510025 Paramediclncentives 25,000 100542 530000 Adverbs 10,000 100542 535000 Su ies mmtel 5,000 100542 610000 Cardiac Nbnitors 60,000 100,000 Fre Marshal 100544 530000 Adverbs 2,310 100544 535012 Supplies-Ubrary Niaterias 1,500 100544 536000 Trainng & Devel 2,000 100544 536600 Unifom-s 300 6,110 Irspedions 100562 536000 TraiNrig & Dev 5,000 100562 537508 Cont Services -Other 10,000 100562 650000 Vehides 23,000 38,000 Platming 100563 520005 Professional Services 1,000 100563 535000 Departmld &Oies 1,000 100563 535004 Supplies -Fuel ( 11000 100563 535018 Supplies -Printed N 11000 100563 536000 Trairing & Dwd 5,000 9,000 BLOcIng Standards 100568 532500 Main & Buildings 11000 100568 605000 Bdldi 11000 2,000 Cooperative Ext 100575 532500 Man & Fe nds 4,000 100575 532501 fvtan & P.WEguigrol (1,000) 100575 535000 Departnintel ies 1,500 100575 535500 Teo 11000 6 7 100575 537500 Cant SerV-CtF er 1,500 9,000 Health Dopartirrot 100591 510002 Salaiies 47,185 100591 610000 DMeciable Assets 16,615 )0000000oa 1MC Program 71,750 86,550 Social Services 100630510002 Salaries- Pegular (181,965) 100630 520005 Professional Services 2,140 100630 532500 Man &Rep -Buildings 1,710 100630 535000 Supplies - Departmental 4,575 100630 553001 AdoptionAssistaice 7,960 100630 554602 Adult Day Care 3,675 100630 557000 Medicaid 176,335 378,360 Veterans Service 100635 5360.00 Training & Deva 400 100635 537508 Contracted Services - Other 3,000 3,400 Public Ubraiy Main 100652 535402 Reference Arterials 3,235 100652 535404 Children's Materials 6,730 100652 535406 Ault Fiction 5,430 100652 535408 AudioMsual 2,210 100652 535410 Wags, Periodicals 750 100652 535412 NO Reference 11380 100652 535414 Bodvrnbile 770 100652 535420 Adult Non-fiction 4,245 100652 536000 Training & D 4,310 100652 620000 Non -Depreciable 10,380 39,440 Hwray 100653 535402 Reference Materials 50 100653 535404 Children's Werials 1,130 100653 535406 Adult Fiction 675 100653 535408 AudioMsual 430 100653 535410 , Periodicals 125 100653 535420 Adult Non-fiction 200 100653 620000 NorKletomableAssets 4,800 7,410 7 Commissioner Robertson asked about offering unpaid leave to the employees on a voluntary basis, if needed. Mr. Mashburn said lay offs had been reviewed, but not unpaid leave. He said many of the departments were actually having to offer more services, for example DSS & the Health Department, due to the economy. Chairman Norman mentioned the county wasn't to that point -- layoffs, etc. Mr. Mashburn agreed. 9 Mooresville 100654 542400 Anmd Cperaticos 35,000 35,000 Recreation 100655 510003 Salaries - Parttime 35,000 100655 576036 Transfer - Parks Reserve 99,800 134,800 Transfers to Other Funds 100800 576040 To Caotal Reserve 898,050 898,050 Total General Fund EVerKRUM 2,408 BTaVwW Tel &M - Rwerxie 384035 472600 E911 Wreless Fa)ds 1,500 1,500 ByaWycy Tel 380534 532501 Plan & ui 1,000 380534 536000 Trarniog & Devd 500 1,500 Solid Waste -Revenue 524751473000 Tipping Fees 385,965 385 Solid Waste 520751 532500 fvtdn & Buildi 53,000 520751 532501 Iv1Jn & ui 10,000 520751 536000 Traini & De%d 7,500 520751 537508 Contracted Servioes- Cther 12,865 520751 541000 LandfiiiiaosureCosts 175,000 520751 610000 Depreciable Assets 39,935 520751 620000 Non able Assets 4,000 520751 650000 Vehicles 26,965 520752 650000 NYsA - Vehicles 56,700 385, Transportation - Revenue 374880 495038 Trarsfer - 911 Fund 49,875 49,87 Transportaltion 370622 510002 Salaries- Pegular 17,385 370612 512501 FICA 1,330 370622 512502 Health Insurance 4,640 370622 512503 Retirement 1,720 370620 535100 Road S 24,800 49,87 Commissioner Robertson asked about offering unpaid leave to the employees on a voluntary basis, if needed. Mr. Mashburn said lay offs had been reviewed, but not unpaid leave. He said many of the departments were actually having to offer more services, for example DSS & the Health Department, due to the economy. Chairman Norman mentioned the county wasn't to that point -- layoffs, etc. Mr. Mashburn agreed. 9 Commissioner Williams said he thought there would be an economic upswing in the new year. Commissioner Tice said the cuts were a proactive approach. Commissioner Johnson said recessions lasted for two consecutive quarters, and there would be a difficult six months ahead. Mrs. Blumenstein said a budgetary update would be provided after November when sales tax proceeds were distributed. MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to approve the budget reductions as presented by the staff. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. 911 Funds: Blumenstein said the General Assembly recently made a ruling that 911 emergency telephone funds could not be used to purchase road signs. She said it was necessary to have the signs for better transportation/safety, and the budget would be altered by transferring the road sign technician's position from transportation to facility services with funding out of line items reduced in facility services. Transfer Stations and Brush Debris: Commissioner Tice mentioned that landscaping businesses trucked their debris to the Hwy. 150 station and sometimes it took them longer which caused delays for others waiting in line. She asked if anything could be done to remedy the situation. County Manager Mashburn said discussions had occurred in the past about this, and at one time, there was a proposal to charge businesses disposing of debris but not homeowners. He said this proposal was dropped when it was mentioned the business would probably trim the trees/shrubs for the homeowner but then not dispose of the brush due to the homeowner being able to do this for free. Mr. Mashburn said landfills did not have to accept brush debris, and as a matter of fact, the county had to pay someone to haul it away. Chairman Norman mentioned that if the landfill stopped taking the debris, it would probably be dumped along the roadsides. LEAVE SHARING, SICK LEAVE, DRUG TESTING & VEHICLE POLICY Leave Sharing: Human Resources Director Carolyn Harris briefed the board on this new policy designed to assist sick employees who are out of work for a lengthy period of time resulting in the possible loss of income. Harris explained the eligibility requirements, the method to request leave hours, and the manner in which the leave would be administered. The method to donate the leave hours is as follows: Donating Leave Hours: An eligible employee may voluntarily elect to donate a minimum of four hours of annual leave. Leave must be donated in four-hour increments. 1. December is designated as the annual donation period. However, donations will be accepted at any time an eligible employee elects to make a donation. 2. An employee who wishes to donate annual leave to the leave bank must submit a completed "Shared Leave Donation " fbrm to Human Resources. 3. The donating employee's leave balance will be reduced immediately by the amount donated, and the new balance will be reflected on the employee's leave balance for the next available pay date. The annual leave balance of the donor can not be reduced below 80 hours. 4. Once annual leave is donated to the bank, it may not be returned to the donating employee 9 Sick Leave: Human Resources Director Harris proposed an addition to the sick leave policy. Primarily, the addition would allow sick leave to be taken as follows: Section A. 7: When needed to provide care for an immediate family member or when needed to accompany the family member to a facility for medical examination or treatment. Leave for this reason is limited to 80 hours per rolling backward calendar year, and includes absences covered under the FMLA. (Immediate family is deemed to include spouse, child, or parent.) Other sections will be changed to coincide with this addition. Drue Testing: Human Resources Director Harris said revisions were needed in this policy to include safety -sensitive positions and random testing. Additions to this policy will also cover post accident testing and changes on the advice of an attorney. Commissioner Robertson asked if the tests were observed. He said if they were not, the procedure was a waste of time. Harris said she was unclear as to whether or not there was a witness in the room, but contact would be made with the company providing the service to find out. Vehicle Policy: Safety Director Larry Ray reviewed changes in this policy that applies to employees driving county vehicles as well as the ones driving their personal vehicles while on county business. He then reviewed the policy changes. NOTE: No action occurred on the four policies. They will be resubmitted to the board at a future meeting for approval. FACILITIES STUDY: Planning and Development Director Ron Smith said a demographics report had been reviewed to determine the future impact on county departments for a facilities study. He acknowledged the study was not a true needs assessment, plus it was without cost estimates. Smith said the study could be used for the next seven years, and it would be a good tool for the new county manager. Contents of the study include: Brief Description of each Department, Population Projects/Impact on Public Service, Departmental Needs Summary, Departmental Needs Matrix, Recommendations, Information Sheets, County Comparison Matrix, Surveys and Maps. PROJECT UPDATES: Code Enforcement/Special Projects Director Lynn Niblock updated the board on the following projects: Do- Pratt Industries/West Industrial Park: 70% finished with completion estimated for December 15, 2008. ►North Iredell Park: Review Final Grading Plan in November 2008. Will later apply for a grant but recipients will not be known until May 2009. 10- Meeting Street Parking/Landscaping: City arborist has submitted a $13,000 landscape plan, and this exceeds budget by $3,000. Discussions will occur with the city in an attempt to reduce the cost. ►New Animal Shelter/Bristol Drive: Three design firms will be interviewed. One will be selected and a design contract should be ready in the next few weeks. No- Central Transfer Station: Building design and repairs were done in-house and project is finished. ►Government Center South Renovations: Second floor (6,000 st) is being renovated to provide space for DSS, Cooperative Extension Services, and an extra office space. In addition, plans are to demolish the old boiler room, remove modular office and pre- engineered metal building, remove three underground storage tanks, and to use this area for a parking lot. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Norman adjourned the mini -retreat at 4:10 P.M. Approval: 10 Clerk to the Board