HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay_23_2013_Budget_Session_MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET SESSION MINUTES
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met on Thursday, May 23, 2013, at 5:00
PM, in the Iredell County Government Center (South Wing Conference Room), 200 South
Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chairman Steve Johnson
David Boone
Renee Griffith
Ken Robertson (arrived at 6:20 PM)
Absent: Vice Chairman Marvin Norman
Staff present: County Manager Ron Smith, Deputy County Manager Tracy Jackson,
Finance Director Susan Blumenstein, Assistant Finance Director Deb Alford, Fire Marshal
Garland Cloer, Sheriffs Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle, Jail Supervisor Bert Connolly, and Clerk to
the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Johnson
465 — Courts: County Manager Smith said many court associated costs had been moved
to the facility services budget.
Clerk of Court Jim Mixson said the jury room furniture needed to be replaced. He said
the juror rooms were small, and on many occasions, some jurors had to stand up, especially
during orientation. He asked for two flat panel wall mounted televisions to assist in juror
orientation.
Chairman Johnson questioned the $2,400 cost for the two televisions.
Mixson said the county had provided the estimated costs.
Commissioner Griffith asked why 100 new chairs had been requested since there were
not that many jurors.
Mixson said 70 new chairs would be adequate.
510— Sheriffs Office: County Manager Smith said one increase for this department was
for vehicles and licensed trailers.
Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle mentioned concerns about School Resource Officer (SRO)
funding.
Finance Director Blumenstein said there were nine SRO positions included in the
sheriffs budget (North Iredell High, West Iredell High, Lake Norman High, Monticello, East
Middle, North Middle, West Middle, Brawley Middle, and Lakeshore Middle). She said there
was also a supervisor's position. Blumenstein said the expenditures for all of these were in the
510 -sheriff s budget. She said there would be revenue to cover the high schools for ten months,
and this would give a net cost to the county of $380,762. Blumenstein said the school officials
had indicated they could only provide a ten-month reimbursement for the high schools.
Commissioner Griffith mentioned this was money being spent for educational purposes
that was not being counted as funding for the schools.
Commissioner Boone asked if the Statesville and Mooresville Police Departments paid
for the officers at Statesville High and Mooresville High.
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Blumenstein said yes. She said the Town of Troutman assisted with the SRO at South
Iredell High.
Chairman Johnson said it appeared the county would be reimbursed for the high schools,
but the remainder would come from the county.
512 — Crime Lab: Chairman Johnson said he was willing to allow the crime lab to
continue another year; however, some information needed to be provided. He said, "I'm going
to need a serious business plan on how this thing is going to work. In my mind, it needs to be
pretty detailed. I need to see a list of the services that we are going to provide to outside
agencies... whatever they are. I don't know how many different services you hope to provide to
other folks, but we need to see a list of those services. We need to see a list of the other
categories of law enforcement agencies that we hope to render these services to and under each
category, a list of prospective customers. Whether they are the Rowan County Sheriff's Office,
the Alexander County Sheriff's Office, the SBI, or whoever. The list of the categories, and the
list of the individual customers, and we need to see a fee schedule. For each one of those
services that we hope to provide, we need a realistic estimate of the volume of each service that
we hope to render. I realize that you are still going through the accreditation, and this has
hindered you to a great extent in marketing your services. When do you anticipate the
accreditation will wrap up?"
Dowdle said around the end of July or August.
Chairman Johnson said the lab crime should be progressing by the first of the year in
generating revenues. Johnson said, "If you get a realistic estimate on how many services that
you will provide --then you do the multiplication --this should give you some estimate on what the
revenues on an annualized basis will be. We need to see the fixed and variable cost associated
with the operation of the lab. I would like to see a breakeven analysis. At what point, and at
what level of the volume of services, do we hope to arrive at a breakeven point. In the business
world, that's just the way you do things. I don't think that's asking too much."
Dowdle said Crime Lab Director Misty Icard had been working on the information. He
said the revenues were increasing.
Johnson said someone needed to be contacting area agencies and informing them of the
services that could be provided.
Dowdle said Icard did advertise the services.
Johnson encouraged more advertising in an effort to boost the revenues. He asked if
Dowdle felt the accreditation could be finished by the end of July.
Dowdle said the lab director would have to answer the question. He said, "I know they
are getting close."
Chairman Johnson directed Dowdle to present the information by the first board meeting
in October.
Commissioner Boone agreed with Chairman Johnson. Boone said he wasn't on the board
when the crime lab was approved; however, he understood the board members had been advised
the lab would be producing enough revenues in a couple of years to breakeven.
Boone asked if all of the services being provided by the crime lab were needed, such as
fingerprinting. He said there were few crimes that were solved by fingerprinting.
Dowdle said everything had to be intact to make the lab work.
Boone said a former detective had mentioned he could only recall four cases that were
solved by fingerprints.
520 — Jail: Chief Dowdle said $238,488 would have to be added to this budget to cover
pump and haul, and this was to comply with health department standards.
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Blumenstein said only $165,000 would have to be added.
Chairman Johnson asked the staff to provide the following information: "What it costs us
on an annualized basis --the costs associated with us not doing jail construction. This is an
additional cost over and above the operational costs. These are the costs we wouldn't have if we
had a better jail. This should include transportation to outside detention centers, and pump and
haul. I want to know when we are approaching the point that it would be cheaper to do
something else."
County Manager Smith asked about food transportation.
Johnson said any associated costs.
Boone said there was a cost for inmates being housed in Rowan County, but if they
remained here, more staff might be needed. He said this cost would have to be recognized.
Smith said a study was occurring, and it would reveal most of the information.
Johnson said, "Anytime these two (Dowdle and Connolly) request a budget amendment
for additional funding please provide an adjusted figure on what the annualized cost is at that
point in time."
Smith said the information could be provided.
Johnson said the opportunity cost would then be known.
Johnson clarified his statement as follows: "If anyone comes before the board for more
jail funding, if Rowan County increases the cost to house the inmates, please provide the
requested information."
County Manager Smith said there were two requests from the board as follows:
1. Business Plan for the Crime Lab
2. Keeping up with the costs on an annualized basis for the jail
20 - County -Wide Fire District: Fire Tax District Board Chairman Frank Phillips said
an operational budget increase had not been recommended for the VFDs in the county -wide
district. He said there was only one department that had a larger increase ($178,000), and it was
for Lake Norman to hire more employees. Phillips said this year there would be an effort to
assist out -of -county departments with truck purchases. He said this had not been done before.
Phillips said there would be a one cent increase in the fire tax and about one half of it would be
placed in the reserve fund to supplement Lake Norman and the out -of -county departments with
truck purchases. He said there would be a goal to increase the unreserved fund to assist if any
unforeseen costs occurred. Phillips said that if the budget were approved, the fund would
increase to $1.2 million, and it was currently at $900,000.
Finance Director Blumenstein distributed the following updated budget sheets.
Countywide Fire Tax District FY14
Report Updated 5/23/2013
$0.0375/ $100
GENERAL
$0.0125/$100
TRUCK
$0.0150/$100
DEBT/Bldg
$0.01/$100
RATINGS
5/24/2013 12:24
7.501 Tax
Rate
TOTAL
Est. Fund Balance - July 1,
2013
190,216
2,286
858,340
53,043
1,103,885
Est. FY14 Ad Valorem Tax
2,797,825
932,605
1,119,130
746,085
5,595,645
Est. FY14 Other Revenue
175,600
-
-
-
175,600
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Total Revenue
FY14 Appropriations
Total Expenditures
Transfers
Change in Fund Balance
Est. Fund Balance. 6/30,
2,973,425
932,605
1,119,130
746,085
5,771,245
Debt Pay
Iso
TOTALS
(2,962,278)
(889,520)
(759,532)
(715,000)
(5,326,330)
(2,962,278)
(889,520)
(759,532)
(715,000)
(5,326,330)
Cool Springs
202,000
81,000
51,000
60,000
394,000
Ebenezer (1)
183,000
53,000
130,000
60,000
426,000
Harmony (2)
208,000
81,000
11,147
43,085
359,598
31,085
444,915
94,000
250,000
60,000
931,000
Monticello
$201,363
$45,371
$ 1,217,938
1 $ 84,128
$1,548,800
Countywide Fire Tax District- PROPOSED 2013-2014 BUDGET AT $.075
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Fire Tax Board
Recommendation
Department
Operations
Truck Fund
Debt Pay
Iso
TOTALS
Central
182,000
81,000
60,000
323,000
Cool Springs
202,000
81,000
51,000
60,000
394,000
Ebenezer (1)
183,000
53,000
130,000
60,000
426,000
Harmony (2)
208,000
81,000
159,000
60,000
508,000
Lake Norman (3)
527,000
94,000
250,000
60,000
931,000
Monticello
180,000
53,000
60,000
293,000
South Iredell
157,000
53,000
60,000
270,000
Trinity
192,000
81,000
85,000
358,000
Union Grove (4)
154,468
53,000
94,532
60,000
362,000
Wayside (5)
209,000
81,000
75,000
60,000
425,000
West Iredell
235,000
81,000
60,000
376,000
0
Hydrants
70,000
70,000
Insurance
300,000
300,000
Supplies
3,000
3,000
0
County Line
43,350
26,500
5,000
74,850
Lone Hickory
36,550
24,910
2,000
63,460
Sheffield -Cal.
36,050
19,610
21,000
76,660
Wilkes-Iredell
38,600
26,500
2,000
67,100
TOTALS
2,957,018
889,520
759,532
715,000
5,321,070
Refunds of Taxes Previously Paid
3,500
3,500
Transfer to General Fund
1,760
1,760
Increase in Fund Balance
11,147
43,085
359,598
31,085
444,915
2,973,425
932,605
1,119,130
746,085
5,771,245
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Fire Tax Board
Recommendation
Debt Service Commitments
Union
Wayside
Ebenezer (1)
Harmony (2)
LNVFD (3)
Grove(4)
(5)
Truck Commitments
1st of 15
1st of 10
1st of 10 1st of 12
pmts FY
1st of 10 Yrs. FY11
FY09
FY06 FY14
12
Sheffield/Callahan Wilkes-Iredell
2nd
2nd FY12
2nd FY10
2nd FY07
FY13
1'` of 8 yrs. FY 13 1'` of 8 yrs. FY 13
3rd
3rd FY13
3rd FY11
3rd FY08
FY14
2nd FY 14 2nd FY 14
4th FY14
4th FY12
4th FY09
3`d FY 15 3`d FY 15
5th FY13
5th FY10
4`h FY 16 4`h FY 16
6th FY14
6th FY11
5` FY 17 5` FY 17
7th FY12
6` FY 18 6` FY 18
8th FY13
7` FY 19 7` FY 19
9th FY14
8` FY 20 8` FY 20
10th FY15
Received from
David Saleebv
Cool Springs: Land $51,000 is final payment of $102,000
Purchase in 2012.
County Line Insurance - $2,500, Lone Hickory- $2,350, Sheffield -$1,850, Wilkes-Iredell $2,500 included above
Union Grove: 1st payment of $94K for 12 years
LNVD has $178,000 for more staff.
2/27/2013
Chairman Johnson said the quarter cent that would be given to Lake Norman equated to
$178,000. He said this was a continuation in order to retain Lake Norman in the county -wide
district. Johnson said it was understood that Lake Norman paid 52% of the county -wide fire
district tax revenues. He said at some point, a serious review needed to occur on how all of the
departments were funded.
Johnson shared concerns about assisting the out -of -county departments with the extra
quarter cent. He said in the past, Iredell County had funded some of these departments better
than their own home counties. Johnson asked if this continued to be true.
Philips said the increase would help pay for trucks. He said many of the departments
were built on the county lines, and much of their territory was in Iredell County.
Chairman Johnson questioned whether some of the out -of -county departments would
have an incentive to increase their ISO ratings if additional money had been provided on the
"front end."
Phillips said the departments were not being paid on ISO, rather they were being helped
with truck purchases.
Fire Marshal Cloer stated the funding formula was a fair method. He said if deviations
occurred, conflicts within the district might occur.
Phillips said the fire tax board had tried to allocate the funding in the most proper manner
that could be found.
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Griffith asked if Chairman Johnson wanted the truck fund money for out -of -county
departments tied to ISO ratings.
Johnson said there had to be an incentive.
Griffith said the matter could be reviewed in the future, if there was some movement
occurring to better the ISO ratings.
Phillips said, "For Sheffield and Wilkes-Iredell, we have an agreement that went into
effect last year where we are going to pay up to eight years 37% of a truck for Sheffield and 50%
for a truck for Wilkes-Iredell."
Cloer said Wilkes-Iredell had a 9-E ISO rating where other departments had a 6. He said
residents in the Wilkes-Iredell district wanted a better rating.
Johnson said the service agreement with the Lake Norman VFD had been reviewed. He
requested for the agreement to be discussed at a future board meeting when all members were
present. Johnson again mentioned concern about the funding for the out -of -county departments.
Mr. Johnson said that instead of a county -wide tax of $.075 he was leaning towards $.07. He
said rather than adding a half -a -cent to the fund balance there would be a quarter cent addition.
Johnson said more discussion could occur, but he was more inclined to not allow the quarter cent
for the outside departments.
The board agreed to begin the May 30, 2013 budget meeting at 5:00 PM, instead of 5:30
PM, to discuss the Lake Norman VFD service agreement and the county -wide funding.
Chairman Johnson asked if the finance director could provide a spreadsheet showing the
fund balance with a $.07 tax rate.
Blumenstein said the spreadsheet would be e-mailed to the board members.
544 — Fire Marshal: Fire Marshal Garland Cloer said the biggest change in his budget
would be for a mobile fire inspection program. He said the current program had an extensive
paper trail, and a more modern method was needed.
Commissioner Boone asked how many employees were in this office.
Cloer said there were six and this included David Saleeby.
Smith said that when former Fire Marshal Ronny Thompson retired, Cloer took his
position. He said Saleeby took Cloer's position.
Cloer said increased fees were requested for the upcoming year. He said some of the fees
had been created as a method to enforce the code.
(Commissioner Robertson joined the group at approximately 6:20 pm.)
A copy of the fee schedule is as follows:
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Prnnnced effective date of January 1, 2014
Chairman Johnson asked how the office justified having no charge for a service and then
jumping to a $100 fee.
Cloer said plans review took time. He said a minimum of two hours was used at a cost of
$50 an hour. Cloer said the goal was to recoup the expenses of the fire marshal's office.
555 - Public Safety - Rescue Squads: Chairman Johnson said he visited with the Iredell
Rescue officials on May 22. He said no capital money had been appropriated to this squad and
only about $40,000 remained in the capital fund along with $40,000 in checking. Johnson said
the squad officials had advised that their number one capital need was for repairs to the north
driveway near the church. He instructed the squad officials to submit a paving estimate to the
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ABC Inspection
$50.00
$100.00
Blasting Permit
$50.00
$100.00
Burning Permit (NC Forest Service Permit)
No Charge
No Charge
Firework Display Application and Slte Inspection
$50.00
$100.00
Firework Display Permit and Site Event inspections
No Charge
$250.00
During Scheduled Event
Group -Foster Inspection (State Required Inspection)
No Charge
$50.00
Hydrant Flow Testing (per hydrant) single hydrant
$50.00
$100.00
Test
Fire Alarm System Plan Review And Inspection
No Charge
$.02 per sq. ft. or $250.00
Including Performance Testing
min.
Retrofit or Existin
Kitchen Hood System Plans Review & Inspection
Including Performance Testing
No Charge
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$100.00
Retrofit or Existin
Other Fire Protection Systems Plans Review &
inspection Including Performance Testing
No Charge
$100.00
Retrofit ar Existing)
Spray Booth System Plans Review & Inspection
Including Performance Testing
No Charge
$100.00
Retrofit or Em ring
Standpipe System Permit and Inspection Including
No Charge
$.02per sq. ft.; $250.00 min.
Performance Testing
Retrofit or Existing)
Tank Install or Removal Permit and Site Inspection
$50 per Tank
$100.00 Per Tank
Above or i3elow Ground
Tent, Canopy, Inflatable Structures Permits
$50 per Structure
$100.00 per Structure
Tents and Membrane Structures - Exceeding 400 sq.
Licensed 501c3 -No
R. (Sides Enclosed)
Canopy Tents- Exceeding700 sq. ft. (Open Sides
Char e
Occupancy Load Permit Evaluation
No Charge
$50.00
Amusement Buildings Inspections and Plans Review
No Charge
$100.00
l.e. Haunted Houses
Assembly Occupancy Permit A-1 and A-2
No Charge
$50.00
Hazardous Materials Permit and Inspec_ tion
No Charge
$100.00
Exceeding Table 2703.1.1 (2 )(3) NFC
Explosive Storage Permit and Inspection
No Charge
$50.00
NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Illegal Burn, 2nd Offense
No Charge
$100.00
(repeat violation within a 6 monthperiod)
Illegal Burn, 3rd Offense and Each Offence After
No Charge
$200.00
(repeats v ola'on within a 6 month eriod
Fire Code Violation Reinspection
No Charge
$100.00
3td Site Inspection Visit
Fire Code Violation Reinspection
No Charge
$250.00
Each day after 3,d Site Inspection Visit
No Charge
Life Safety Code Violation,lnd Offense
Life Safety Code Violation, 2nd Offense
No Charge
Life Safety Violation Code - 3rd Offense and each
No Charge
g$760.00
da after 3rd notice of violationWasted
Trip -1st Missed Appointment
$75.00
Wasted Trip - 2^d Missed AppointmentNo
Charge
Chairman Johnson asked how the office justified having no charge for a service and then
jumping to a $100 fee.
Cloer said plans review took time. He said a minimum of two hours was used at a cost of
$50 an hour. Cloer said the goal was to recoup the expenses of the fire marshal's office.
555 - Public Safety - Rescue Squads: Chairman Johnson said he visited with the Iredell
Rescue officials on May 22. He said no capital money had been appropriated to this squad and
only about $40,000 remained in the capital fund along with $40,000 in checking. Johnson said
the squad officials had advised that their number one capital need was for repairs to the north
driveway near the church. He instructed the squad officials to submit a paving estimate to the
I
finance director. Johnson mentioned the possibility of providing a one-time appropriation for the
paving work.
Commissioner Robertson asked if the money would be out of the existing fund.
Johnson recommended not taking the squad any lower than what they had in their capital
or checking fund. He said this would be a one-time special appropriation in the budget. Johnson
said the county's budget would be increased by the paving cost.
Robertson asked the estimated cost.
Johnson said at least four inches of asphalt would be needed, and the cost could be
$7,000 to $10,000. He said after the estimate was presented, and assuming the costs were
reasonable, a motion to approve the paving would be given.
Adjournment: Chairman Johnson adjourned the budget session at 6:35 PM. (The board
took a break before the 7 PM meeting.)
Approval:
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Clerk to the Board