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061019 budget hearingJune 10, 2019 Budget Meeting and Public Hearing The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in a special budget session at 4:00 p.m. in the 1909 Randolph County Historic Courthouse Meeting Room, 145 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC. Chairman Darrell Frye, Vice -Chairman David Allen, Commissioners Kenny Kidd, Maxton McDowell and Hope Haywood were present. Also present were County Manager Hal Johnson, Finance Officer Will Massie, County Attorney Ben Morgan, and Clerk to the Board Dana Crisco. Boys and Girls Club Scotty Parks, Interim CEO Boys and Girls Club of Greater High Point, introduced Board members Addie Luther and Gary Parks, and staff member Cameron Green, VP of Resources Development. The Asheboro Boys and Girls Club is housed at the United Church of Christ at 801 Sunset Avenue and one swim center is shared by all of the sites under the Greater High Point group. The program targets at risk youth. They currently serve 170-200 youth per year. At the Asheboro Club, forty youth are on-site during school and fifty during the summer. The size of the space limits the number of children they can serve in Asheboro. He spoke of the demographics of participants: 92% live below the federal poverty line and 74% are from single parent homes. There is a nominal fee of $2 for yearly dues but no child is turned away if they cannot afford that. The Club serves all youth; everybody is welcome. The program measures its success by participation, report card grades from school, pre- and post -testing, community service hours, and physical fitness. He asked Ms. Green to speak about the funding request. Cameron Green stated that the request makes up 12% of the salaries of staff in the Asheboro Club. In order to implement the programs, the staff must be trained to connect with the children. Ms. Luther thanked the Board for their support of the Boys and Girls Club. Chairman Frye stated that Ms. Luther had been with the Club from the beginning and thanked her for her service to the Club and its youth. Mr. Gary Parks said that Ms. Luther is a great Board member. He stated that the Club may move back to the old location. Chairman Frye asked about the status of the old location. Mr. Parks mentioned that the United Church of Christ has dissolved and the building is for sale. Once it is under contract, the Club has 60 days to find another location. Chairmen Frye inquired about the physical status of the old facility. Mr. Parks said they are working with a professional roofer to determine a price for a new 30 year roof but all mold and mildew that was present in the building had been eradicated. Commissioner Haywood asked about the shared swim location. Mr. Gary Parks said it is near Jamestown. Randolph Arts Guild Mr. Reggie Scott stated that his vision when coming to the Randolph Arts Guild was to have programs in all the various municipalities in the county. He said he had already visited Archdale, Trinity, Seagrove, Randleman, Ramseur, Franklinville, and Liberty. Staley was the only location 6/10/19 not yet visited. When asking the municipalities what they wanted for programming, all wanted to include youth and adults. His staff came up with a proposal called the RAG Cares program. He revisited the municipalities and said each location wanted something different but all wanted to be all inclusive for youth, elders and veterans. He stated that cities suffered from lack of funding. His building is old and its infrastructure is an issue as well. He said he needed help from the Board to best serve the entire county. Chairman Frye asked if he had requested funding from any of the municipalities. Mr. Scott stated that he had asked Archdale and Randleman but had not heard from them yet. Commissioner Allen asked what type of activities were requested. Mr. Scott stated that Randleman wanted to beautify the brick buildings downtown with a mural. Archdale wanted to have a rock garden and beautify an area by the tunnel at Creekside Park. Trinity wanted to focus programming on youth and young couples. Shelter of Hope Paulette Handy thanked the Board for their support in the past. She said the shelter has partnered with Goodwill to help the men with work skills. She commented that there are more men employed than ever before. She said the men have started paying rent to get used to doing so once they are on their own. She stated that rent and power for the facility take half of the monthly budget. Chairman Frye asked if they received funding from United Way. Ms. Handy said she was told by United Way that there was not an opening at this time. She stated they do receive money from FEMA in the amount of $1000-1300 per year. Commissioner McDowell asked how many men on average stay at the shelter. Ms. Handy said thirty men. Chairman Frye inquired about limits on the men being there. Ms. Handy stated that as long as the men are working and taking the programs they need, they are allowed to stay eight to nine months. Chairman Frye wondered if the men could be at the shelter during the day. Ms. Handy said that most are working. If they are not working, they must seek employment with at least two businesses per day. Their paperwork showing their job search is turned into her each week to keep their space. Communities in Schools Ms. Paula Owens, Executive Director of Communities in Schools, introduced Mark Strider, incoming Chairman to their Board, and Aimee Scotton, Secretary of their Board. Ms. Owens stated that the past three years of operation have ended with some money in the bank. This allowed the agency to have a savings account with enough money to operate for two months without any funding. 6/10/19 The biggest fund raiser for them is the Tacky Christmas Sweater Party. Last year, it raised over $25,000. She credited her Board and Mary Lisk for the success. Ms. Owens reported that she is semi -proficient in Quickbooks. Now, she is able to keep the books on a daily basis and a local accountant in Asheboro does the "big time accounting" for the agency. This has saved them lots of time. She said grant income has improved. Grants have been received from Food Lion Feeds and a local Kiwanis chapter. Another Food Lion donates food for backpack pals. The need is incredible but it is being met. They currently serve approximately 650 children per week in the Backpack Pals program. The summer program serves meals at schools to meet the food needs of students during the summer. With seven staff members throughout the county, they use an ABC Program: A-attendence, B -behavior, and C -coursework. In the FY 17-18, 93 % of students improved their behavior, 88% improved their academics, and 71% improved their attendance. One-on-one or small group assistance was given to 313 students and over 600 books were given away. Last year, the Chamber and local hairdressers offered free haircuts. The clients of Backpack Pals were sent invitations. This year, the offer may be extended to all students. The Chamber and local hairdressers raised $20,000 for school supplies. This was the most ever raised. This year, the goal is to raise $30,000. Ms. Owens said she is proud of their partnerships with churches, civic groups, and the Commissioners. She stated that Communities in Schools is simply the manager of the Backpack Pals program. It is the community that has stepped up to make it work. She closed by thanking the Board for the annual funding and stated that she and her Board aim to be good stewards of that funding. Commissioner Haywood asked where the staff works with the students. Ms. Owens said staff work at Randleman Elementary, Randleman High, Southmont Elementary, Braxton Craven Middle, John Lawrence Elementary, Liberty Elementary, and Asheboro City schools. The staff also secure mentors for the students as well as mentor students themselves. Commissioner Haywood asked how the sites are selected. Ms. Owens said she talks to superintendents about the need and they give guidance as to which schools will benefit the most. Chairman Frye stated that Communities in Schools started in the Archdale/Trinity schools. Senior Adults Association Mark Hensley, Executive Director of the Randolph County Senior Adults Association (RCSAA), stated that this was his first year in this role. He reviewed how the Board support impacts lives of senior adults in the county. Mission statement contains four components. "Healthy Aging" is one of the components and was demonstrated by the volunteer award to Margie Stidhim for her service to the Randolph Senior Adults Association while also celebrating her 90th 6/10/19 birthday the same day as the awards. Another component is "Social Connection." RCSAA has five locations; Asheboro, Randleman, Archdale, Liberty, and Our Place Adult Daycare. Why are services needed? Mr. Hensley noted that from 2013-2035, 99% of Randolph County residents will be 65 years and older. By the end of 2020, the demographic of over 60 -years old will be greater than 0-17 years old. Other services provided by RCSAA include congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, senior center activities, and RCATS transportation in both Montgomery and Randolph Counties. Mr. Hensley said that there is consideration for another senior adults center in the future. In closing, he shared how the Adult Daycare program met the needs of a senior adult during the day which allowed her granddaughter and caregiver to take college courses. He spoke of an elderly couple and their insurance. The husband had stopped taking his Diabetes medicine because they could not afford the copay. After the help of a representative at RCSAA, they are saving over $800 and receiving free medication. Commissioner McDowell commented that he sends people to RCSAA for help with Medicare coverage because it is so confusing. The reviews from those people have been very positive about the staff, their knowledge, and their assistance. Randolph County Family Crisis Center Dare Spicer, Executive Director of the Family Crisis Center, offered her thanks for funding from the Board that allowed them to build Emmy's House. Since January, sixty children have been served at Emmy's House. Cases are being prosecuted and finalized now that there are resources in Randolph County. A second Forensic Interviewer was recently hired and another doctor and nurse will be hired soon. She reminded the Commissioners that they serve all people. They offer different services to meet the needs of all family members who have experienced abuse. Unfortunately, the abuse cases are getting worse and law enforcement is needed to protect the clients as well as the staff. Ms. Spicer spoke of some of the funding Family Crisis receives. She said the money provided by the Board matches federal grants for Emmy's House and Family Crisis Center. The shelters in both Asheboro and Archdale have rent matches. The office uses interns when possible for additional matches. Commissioner McDowell asked if the shelter receives out of county requests. Ms. Spicer confirmed that they are required to allow one bed for out of county clients. Commissioner McDowell asked what Social Services thought about the Family Crisis Center. Tracie Murphy, Social Services Director, said she enjoys the partnership with Dare Spicer and the Family Crisis Center. Randolph Vocational Industries (RVI) Mike Ayers said that the agency has had a hard year. Referrals used to come from the State but they have not been receiving them. The agency supports twenty developmentally disabled adults 6/10/19 that cannot get jobs anywhere else. The money that was saved for emergencies is almost depleted. He said he met with Sandhills Center staff and they were able to give RVI some money. If the agency were to close, Sandhills would take these employees under their programs. Commissioner Allen asked about the Innovations Program. Mr. Ayers said it is a possibility. It involves licensing which is expensive and it has a long approval process. He said Ms. Victoria Whitt, Executive Director of the Sandhills Center, may have other options later. Mr. Ayers addressed the need to spend almost $10,000 to get an audited financial statement to receive funding of $20,000. This has been an ongoing concern of his. Seagrove Fire Department Chief Bernard Needham asked for the first increase in fire district tax in his department since 1983. His justification was similar to that of many fire departments. There are fewer volunteers yet call volume continues to increase. As a small department, they cannot compete with larger departments in pay and benefits. Equipment is aging and causing more maintenance. He said there are over 100 residents that are still in a class nine insurance rating area. There is a plan for a new sub -station to service those folks and lower their insurance. Westside Fire Department Chief Recil Williamson asked to stay at the revenue neutral rate this year. He spoke of some issues the department has faced in the last year. Call volume is up and his department is short ten firemen. Chairman Frye asked how many full-time employees he had. He responded eight. Commissioner McDowell inquired about part-time employees. Mr. Williamson said he did have a few part-time people that filled some full-time hours. His biggest help comes from his volunteers. He has 20-25 active volunteers that have had over 4000 hours of training and took 778 calls last year on their own time. If calculated at $8.00/hour, these volunteers made up for over $1 million in salaries without fringe benefits. Mr. Williamson said the department owns the house next door where full-time staff can stay. The department has also take the responsibility for the Cedar Grove Community Building. They are using it as a training center but keep it available for community use. Commissioner McDowell asked why the call volume is up 38%. Mr. Williamson said that the storms last year caused some of it. Other calls are due to accidents on the highway. Once new Hwy 64 opens, there will be even more accidents. He also mentioned that Hwy 49 traffic is horrendous and backs up quickly, as well. Farmer Fire Department Chief Tracy Boyles based his request on preliminary numbers of .0917 but the actual .092 ended up being revenue neutral. He said he did not want to change his budget for the small amount. Julian Fire Department 6/10/19 Chief Jeff Folwell said he would like for the rate for his department to stay at .135 "because every penny helps." Break At 5:44 p.m., Chairman Frye called for a break until the 6:00 p.m. Public Hearing. The meeting resumed at 6:00 p.m. Proposed Budget Public Hearing At 6:00 p.m., the Chairman stated that pursuant to NCGS 159-12 the governing board must hold a public hearing on the proposed budget. All individuals who wish to address the Board about the budget must be afforded an opportunity to speak. He opened the public hearing and invited citizens to speak concerning the Proposed Budget. Cynthia Pell, 5295 Erect Rd., Ramseur, spoke of Animal Control and the Animal Shelter. She said she had read that citizens do not understand the process followed by the Animal Shelter. She stated that she sees it as a lack of transparency and mismanagement in spending tax dollars. She said there is a need for a skilled shelter manager who would work with the community. The Sheriff would spend the money wisely. She stated that the Shelter does not need a break room, that space should be used for animals. She wants the Sheriff to oversee the Animal Shelter and change the circumstances of the animals. Rebekah R. Hoover, 6654 NC Hwy 42 S, Ramseur, said she has been a vet tech for over 30 years. She thanked the Commissioners for seeing that companion animals need better care in the Shelter. She wants the budget and the Shelter moved to the direction of the Sheriff to enforce the laws. With the small budget, she stated that a vet cannot be hired but a highly skilled vet tech could. She said a break room was not needed, that money should be allocated to animal care. Barbara Kennamen, 646 Backcreek Rd., Asheboro, spoke about the proposed budget for Animal Services. She said the resources would be better spent if under the Sheriffs Office. She did not think the mindset of current shelter management was progressive enough. She would like all the funds and responsibility for the Animal Shelter turned over to the Sheriff. Beverly Coble, 116 N. Coble St., Randleman, thanked the Commissioners for adding the additional funding for the Animal Shelter but wanted it to be run by the Sheriffs Office. She said she trusts the Sheriff to use the funding properly. She stated that the Sheriff is already paying for animal control calls without having that money in his budget. Pamela Vuncannon, 824 Shannon Rd., Asheboro, thanked the Commissioners for allocating money to the Animal Shelter. She was concerned with the expense of places to put people instead of the animals. She was disappointed to see that the funding in the Proposed Budget was still under Public Health. She said the process was not transparent and needed to be clear moving forward about reallocation of positions. She stated that Animal Control officers make more than sworn deputies. She said the Sheriff has already worked to verify what is efficient in running a shelter. She said using law enforcement officers, the number of animals at the Shelter will decrease over time and the Sheriff will spend the money wisely. She stated that it was "totally inappropriate" to put things in place before a Director has been hired. She closed by saying the 6/10/19 shelter operations "can be done on a shoe string budget" but it is not possible until a new director is hired who has input on proper funding allocations. Chairman Frye explained to Ms. Vuncannon that the Proposed Budget had the money allocated for the Animal Shelter regardless of who would operate it. From the audience, Ms. Vuncannon stated the "same broken mission statement" was still in the Proposed Budget. Commissioner Kidd said, "Wouldn't you think the new person hired would redo the goals and mission statement?" Ms. Vuncannon asked about the timeframe to change shelter operations. Chairman Frye said there was no timeframe except that the new budget started July 1 st and stated a new shelter director would not be hired by then. Commissioner Haywood stated that a Shelter Director would be an advertised position and that person would need experience in both shelter operations and finance. She said that the shelter will remain where it is until a person is in place. Commissioner McDowell said it was important for the citizens to know that the Board is working on the issue. He did not feel that the Board was being non -transparent. The Board wants to do the right thing and is trying to provide the proper administrative organization to ensure success. Chairman Frye stated there will be changes coming to the Animal Shelter. The money in Public Health does not indicate anything more than the money is budgeted. Citizens continued to speak without approaching the podium to voice their concerns. Adjournment At 6:25 p.m., on motion ofAllen, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn. Darrell Frye, Chairman David Allen Kenny Kidd Hope Haywood Maxton McDowell Dana Crisco, Clerk to the Board 6/10/19