061394Randolph County
Board of Commissioners
June 13, 1994
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special budget session at
6:00 p.m. on June 13, 1994 in the Commissioners Meeting Room, 725 McDowell Road,
Asheboro, NC. Commissioners Kemp, Frye, Langley, Petty, and Comer were present.
Library
Richard Wells, Library Director, reported that the renovated library will
be ready for occupancy in January. In his proposed budget, postage and
periodicals accounts are up from this year. Mr. Wells noted that the $4000 for
books for Archdale will be paid for from fines and fees there. He also said
that his current budget total is less than the one he inherited in 1991.
Emergency Services
Neil Allen, Emergency Services Director, said he is proposing increased
ambulance fees in order to maximize medicare reimbursement. He reported that
they are able to avoid hiring more EMT's by using a prime -time staffing plan.
The 911 Fund will pay back its loan from the General Fund this year and the
monthly 911 surcharge will probably be reduced in June, 1995. Mr. Allen noted
that 2 Lifepaks are requested in this budget, which will give the department a
total of 8. He stated that using remounts instead of buying new ambulances has
saved the department a lot of money.
Tag and Reappraisal
Billy Chilton, Tax Assessor, stated that since the Tax Commission has taken
on new duties, sitting as the Motor Vehicle Review Board, he recommends
increasing their compensation by $10 per meeting. He said they are using post
cards in mailings whenever possible to reduce postage cost. No attorney fees
have been included and consultants' fees have decreased. Mr. Chilton also said
that the new method of collecting automobile taxes makes it difficult to project
the amount of taxes due.
Mr. Chilton discussed items for consideration if the County goes to a
4 -year revaluation cycle. He said the Tax Department needs to know by early '95
if the Board wants to have the next revaluation in '97.
Elections'
Maria Bliss, Elections Supervisor, reported that the new voting equipment
worked extremely well in the recent ABC referendum and speeded up the process
tremendously. She said all the old voting machines have been sold and picked
up.
Mrs. Bliss stated that Davidson County left 2 names off the ballot in their
last election, resulting in a special election to be held July 12, 1994. She
said that 12 precincts in Randolph County are involved in this election;
therefore, she will need to amend her proposed budget to include funds for this
special election.
Register of Deeds
Ann Shaw, Register of Deeds, pointed out a new line item in her budget,
Data Reduction Services, to cover the contract for converting microfilm to
optical scan. She said that Randolph County's optical imaging is being used as
a model for other counties, cities, state agencies, and private agencies across
the state. She also discussed the need for plat storage cabinets, which she is
requesting in her budget.
Planning and Zoning
Hal Johnson, Planning Director, noted that road sign replacement has been
transferred to the Maintenance Department, and the addressing position has been
transferred to Computer Services. He reported on the strategic planning
project that is underway. Task forces have been established and are being
educated so they can begin their work by fall. Mr. Johnson also gave an update
on the county transportation system and land use planning. He reported that the
central permit program is working well, and the Archdale office can now provide
the same service as the one here.
Cooperative Extension
Dick Peterson, Extension Director, said the overall budget is down from
last year. He stated that the specialized cross -county agents have been a real
asset. Travel has increased, and a 4H assistant was added during this fiscal
year.
Computer Services
Janice Hughes, analyst/programmer, presented the Computer Services budget
on behalf of Annette Lineberry, Director. Ms. Hughes highlighted programs they
have worked on this year, including 911, fire inspections, elections, the LIFE
program with Asheboro and Liberty police departments, addressing agreements with
the cities, geo inquiries for 911 dispatching, watershed management, and GIS.
She said the printer requested is to replace one over 10 years old.
Mnintpnanep
Lee Groce, Maintenance Supervisor, stated that the new Social Services
building will impact his department's workload and budget. He now has pagers
for his employees, which has increased response time. Mr. Groce discussed road
sign replacement and said that a major cause of downed signs is broken brackets
from mowers. He said that using non -regular housekeepers is working well, even
though they have had a 40% turnover rate. He also said that even though
Elections has new voting equipment, the Maintenance Department will continue to
devote many man hours to each election.
Health
MiMi Cooper, Health Director, discussed the importance of the dental health
position being absorbed into the County budget if the recommended budget is
approved. She also discussed the soil scientist position not recommended by the
County Manager and asked the Board to consider adding it. She said if an
environmental health specialist turns down a septic tank application, a citizen
can appeal to a soil scientist. The state provides this service free of charge,
but there is usually a waiting period of weeks or months. Ms. Cooper said a
County soil scientist could expedite these appeals and could provide valuable
assistance in helping developers of subdivisions with complicated sewage
systems. This position could also be used in the well program. Ms. Cooper
reported that the smoking ordinance has worked well since the Board of Health
amended it to allow 50% smoking areas in restaurants.
Sherif f
Major Allen McNeill recapped the success of the Randolph -Chatham Drug
Task Force, the CARE program, and Operation Fence Post. He said the department
has been able use drug seizure money as matching funds. Major McNeill asked the
Board to consider funding an additional desk sergeant position which the County
Manager did not recommend. He said this position is needed to keep the building
open on weekends.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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