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060718 BudgetJune 7, 2018 Budget Meeting (County Department Presentations) The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met at 6:00 p.m. for a special budget session in the 1909 Randolph County Historic Courthouse Meeting Room, 145 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC. Commissioners Allen, Frye, Kidd and McDowell were present. (Commissioner Haywood's seat is vacant.) County department heads were given the opportunity to present their budget requests. Also present were County Manager Hal Johnson; Finance Officer Will Massie; Amanda Varner, Clerk to the Board; and Dana Crisco, Deputy Clerk to the Board. Juvenile Day Reporting Center Megan Parker, Juvenile Day Reporting Director, said she was pleased with the budget. She gave an update of the programs and services that her department offers. The court system continues to refer clients to the programs creating a lack of space in her office to accommodate everyone. She also said that with the age of juveniles being increased from 16 to 18 years of age in 2019, her program would be impacted with more youths to serve. Administration Will Massie, Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer, said that the Administration budget is pretty much the same as it has been and is satisfied with what has been proposed in the budget. Human Resources Jill Williams, Human Resources Director, provided an overview of employee compensation and benefit considerations. The main goal for human resources is to recruit, retain, and develop a highly qualified workforce. She provided information on advanced degrees held by County employees, merit pay in the past, and COLA adjustments in previous years. Ms. Williams talked about the three year classification study and which groups of employees had been reviewed and would be reviewed in the upcoming year. She stated that funding was not provided in the Proposed Budget to address the recommendations from the year two study or a cost of living adjustment. Ms. Williams addressed the cost of turnover saying that hiring costs, training costs and lowered productivity all factor into the expense. She said the approximate turnover cost is 18% or $7,200 for a position paying $40,000. Information Technology (IT) Michael Rowland, IT Director, said IT had requested a new Business Analyst position. This position would be dedicated to support all of Public Safety. The reason for this request is due to the fact that IT is losing veteran employees in key positions to retirement. These seasoned employees with their extensive knowledge were able to take on multiple roles simultaneously. In addition, Public Safety by its very nature requires 24x7x365 support. He stated that he did not have the number of staff with the required skills to provide that level of coverage and support. He said IT currently supports over 500 users on the Public Safety system. This includes seven law enforcement agencies, 23 fire agencies, three Emergency Service agencies, a unified 911 communications center and a 235 bed detention center. The technology being used in Public 06/07/18 Safety is extensive. Most vehicles are equipped with a Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) and an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system. The 911 Communications Center uses software such as the Geographical Information System (GIS), Division of Criminal Information (DCI) access, emergency medical dispatch software and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) provided by Spillman Technologies. The Detention Center uses Spillman for inmate management, specialized software for logging inmate checks and another software for managing the commissary. Mr. Rowland said he understood the pressures of funding the Proposed Budget. The salary for the new position was budgeted at $63,334 for salary and benefits. If the position cannot be funded this year, he asked that it be seriously considered for the next budget year. Without this key position, Public Safety technology support will be severely impacted. IT will continue to provide the best level of support possible with the limited resources available. Tax Debra Hill, Tax Assessor, thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak. She stated that she was pleased with the Proposed Budget for Tax. She clarified that the next revaluation would be 2019 and said that the Tax Department had been preparing for the last year and a half. Elections Melissa Johnson, Elections Director, thanked the Commissioners for her Proposed Budget and the use of the Northgate Complex location for early voting. She stated that Elections hopes to use that location for voting in the fall if it is available. She said that it had provided ample space for training and voting. Register of Deeds Krista Lowe, Register of Deeds, was pleased with the department budget being proposed. She said that with the automation processes they have implemented, her department was able to have one less person which saved the County money. Public Buildings (Maintenance) Robert Cross, Maintenance Director, was not in attendance. He had told Mr. Johnson that he was pleased with his budget. Sheriffs Department Sheriff Robert Graves thanked his staff for all of their hard work on a daily basis. He also thanked the Commissioners for their work on the Proposed Budget. He presented his requests that were not funded in the Proposed Budget then explained cost saving measures that had been implemented during FY2017-18. The Sheriff said there are a couple of positions at the detention center that he wishes to upgrade. These positions have gained additional responsibilities and increased workload. He asked that two part-time detention center positions be combined into one full-time position because the part-time positions are difficult to fill. He also requested two additional positions in the vice narcotics division to expand current operations and disrupt the increase of drug activity in Randolph County. 06/07/18 He stated that to recoup money when inmates have destroyed County property, the commissary has started charging through the inmate's account. They have also been able to save approximately $49,000 by contracting with Aramark for food service. Emergency Services Donovan Davis, Emergency Services Director, thanked Mr. Massie for his hard work on another challenging budget, and Mr. Johnson for his continued support. He said he is amazed at how organized the budget process is each year. He stated they are requesting an increase to fees due to the higher costs of drugs, supplies, and gas. For the Emergency Services Department he stated he was pleased with the County Manager's proposed budget. He pointed out that the primary unfunded request made for the FY2018-19 is for three Paramedic positions ($167,868) and four 9-1-1 Telecommunicator positions ($204,364). He said the Paramedic positions would allow some relief in running the new 24- hour morgue. The Telecommunicator positions would help to meet the goal of completely separating the call -taker and dispatch responsibilities in the 9-1-1 center. He said EMS is still trying to transition from 24-hour to 12 -hour shifts. He thanked the Commissioners for their continued support of public safety in Randolph County. Building Inspections David Bryant, Building Inspections Director, presented the Commissioners with information showing that permitting, inspections, and revenues have all increased over the past five years as follows: 20% increase in permits issued, 45% increase in inspections, and 68% increase in revenues. In order to maintain efficiency, he asked for one new code inspector to assist with implementing the ePermits system and act as a back-up for other code officers who are out for continuing education and time off. He said the new position would ensure that the Building Inspections Department would continue to provide excellent customer service while maintaining efficiency. Adult Day Reporting Center Pam Smith, Adult Day Reporting Center Director, thanked the Commissioners for their support and said that there were no changes to her budget. She did explain that there were already more participants in her programs to date this year than all of last year. She attributed it to substance abuse especially with opioids. She stated that her offices had been packed with participants. Planning and Zoning Jay Dale, Planning and Zoning Director, said there were no changes in his budget. He stated that his office continues to move to paperless processes. Cooperative Extension Jonathan Black, Cooperative Extension Director, said he was happy with his department's budget. He explained that their current van has caused many problems and has cost lots of 06/07/18 money in repairs. He appreciated the Commissioners allowing him to purchase a newer one in this FY2018-19 budget. Soil and Water Jenny Parks, Soil and Water Department Head, said she is pleased with what the Manager had included in the Proposed Budget for Soil and Water. Public Works Paxton Arthurs, Public Works Director, said he is happy with the Public Works' budget and had no requests. Public Health Susan Hayes, Public Health Director, was happy with the budget. She said Public Health has not asked for anything additional in the budget, however it will be increased from last year because the Medical Examiner expenditures will be moved from the Administration budget to the Public Health budget. She also said there were modifications to the proposed fee schedule. Since fees are based on costs, the changes are due to variation in the costs of either the service, vaccine, or medication. Social Services (DSS) Beth Duncan, Social Services Director, thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak. She recognized her Department Managers. She said the Board of Social Services approved the department's budget at their last month's meeting; a copy of which was provided to each Commissioner. She reviewed a few of the highlights that have affected their budget; personnel requests, potential State legislation, NCFast, and office space. She said the personnel request to fund four Social Work Trainees was included in this budget. She presented some legislative issues that could potentially affect the County. She stated that office space is at capacity in both the Asheboro and Archdale locations. Commissioners McDowell and Frye expressed their concerns for the Social Services Department due to potential legislative changes. Veterans Services Chad Gurley, Veterans Services Director, said he was pleased with the Proposed Budget amount for Veterans Services. He did indicate to the Commissioners the need for an additional position in the Veterans Services office to help assist veterans. He would be requesting that position in FY2019-20. The requests of the veterans are time sensitive and he was committed to serve all of them with heart. Child Support Enforcement Damon Brown, Child Support Services Director, was pleased with what was included in the Proposed Budget for Child Support. Public Library 06/07/18 Ross Holt, Public Library Director, said he was satisfied with the Library budget and had no additional requests. He stated that the Franklinville Library positions had been filled. He said the new Librarian had much to offer in this position. Adjournment At 7:46 p.m., on motion of Frye, seconded by McDowell, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn. David L. Allen, Chairman Darrell Frye Kenny Kidd Dana Crisco, Deputy Clerk to the Board Maxton McDowell 06/07/18