060606June 6, 2006
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special budget session at 5:00 p.m. in
the Administration Conference Room, County Office Building, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro,
NC. Commissioners Holmes, Frye and Kemp were present. Commissioner Lanier entered the
meeting where so noted in these minutes. Commissioner Davis was absent.
Emergency Services
Neil Allen, Emergency Services Director, said that he was very pleased with his proposed
budget except that he requested 3 new ambulances and the proposed budget includes only 2. He
said that during the 2002-2003 budget process, he got behind on his replacement schedule due to
the Governor's holding of the County's reimbursables; he was allotted only 1 of the 2
ambulances that he normally received. He said that another $87,500 is the amount needed for
this third ambulance. Mr. Allen said that he was happy that the proposed budget included the 2
new full-time telecommunicator positions that he requested. (Note: Commissioner Lanier
entered the meeting here.) He also asked that the loaded ambulance rate be increased from $5.90
to $6.05. He said that none of the fire departments are requesting a rate increase this year.
Public Works
David Townsend, III, Public Works Director, asked that the transfer station tipping fees be
raised from $38 to $44 per ton; this is the first increase in 7 years. This increase will not affect
the average citizens bringing trash to the landfill—only the commercial haulers. He also said that
he would be asking the Board to adopt a new Solid Waste Contract (with Allied Waste) at the
Board's June 26 meeting. This is a 3 -year contract with a 3 -year renewal clause.
Social Services
Martha Sheriff, Social Services Director, said that Medicaid estimates for 2006-2007 actually
decreased slightly by $46,000. She also explained that DSS has had a significant amount of
lapsed salaries in past years, allowing the hiring of extra staff during periods of high turnover.
This turnover is now much lower, and over the past couple of years, it has been a struggle to
keep within the budget. In the current 05-06 budget, ten positions are unfunded; her requested
budget for 06-07 includes five of these unfunded positions to be funded permanently. Ms. Sheriff
stated that in her requested budget she also asked for the following new positions: a staff
attorney, a computer support technician, an income maintenance caseworker, and a social
worker. However, the proposed budget includes only two of the unfunded caseworker positions
to be permanently funded using cost savings in other areas as the funding source and a Social
Services caseworker position for the LINKS program that will be funded by grants. Ms. Sheriff
urged the Board to consider allotting the new attorney position, the computer support technician,
the income maintenance caseworker for family and children's Medicaid cases, and a social
worker in foster care. She said that case loads for all the units have become so large that they are
unmanageable. Ms. Sheriff said that she has identified $26,000 in her budget that could be used
towards a new attorney position.
Administration
Will Massie said that health insurance costs have decreased slightly. He also asked the Board
to consider funding an Internal Auditor position for the Finance Office that is not included in the
proposed budget. This position would be a tremendous asset to all County departments,
especially with the management information system component that was implemented recently.
The position could also assist volunteer fire departments with audits. Mr. Massie also stated that
the proposed budget includes a 3.0% pay plan adjustment, a 2.0% market adjustment, $30,000
for the special merit plan specifically for the Sheriff's Dept., and an additional $20,000
contribution to the law enforcement separation allowance.
Interim County Manager Richard Wells stated that the County Attorney has asked that the
Board consider increasing his retainer fee from $17,500 to $24,000 per year.
Debt Service
Mr. Massie referred to the debt service schedules in the proposed budget book for the
Commissioners' information.
Adjournment
There being no further presentations, the Board adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
J. Harold Holmes, Chairman
Phil Kemp
Cheryl A. Ivey, Clerk to the Board
Darrell L. Frye
Arnold Lanier