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060402June 4, 2002 The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in budget session at 6:00 p.m. in the Administration Conference Room, County Office Building, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC. Commissioners Kemp, Frye, Holmes, Davis, and Mason were present. Emergency Services Neil Allen, Emergency Services Director, said he had cut one ambulance from his budget's capital requests, but it would be difficult to cut anything else from his budget since most of it is for salaries. The increase in ambulance fees that were approved in April should bring in an additional $400,000 in the upcoming budget year. He reported that, beginning in August, 911 dispatchers will be able to determine the approximate location (latitude and longitude) of callers who are using cell phones. Cell phones account for about 40% of all calls received by 911 personnel. Public Works David Townsend, III, Public Works Director, stated that no increases are proposed for tipping fees. At the beginning of the year his department had 93/4 employees. The proposed budget has only 4 full-time (40 hours a week) and 4 part-time (35 hours a week) employees. He said he is also proposing to cut hours of operation. The landfill is currently open 7-4:30 M -F and 7-12 on Saturday. The new hours would be 8-3:30 M -F and 8-12 on Saturday. The Farmer convenience site currently operates 8-5 M -F and 8-3 on Saturday. The new hours would be 8-5 Monday, Thursday, and Friday and 8-3 on Saturday. These changes in hours of operation would result in a savings of over $100,000. The Board expressed concern about the early closing at the landfill and directed Mr. Townsend to see if he could find a way to keep the landfill open until 4:30 and find another place to cut costs. Social Services Martha Sheriff, Social Services Director, reported that she had cut $153,000 from her proposed budget, including 2 positions that are vacant. Medicaid costs continue to escalate each year. The County's portion for next year is estimated at $6,072,763, which is an increase of $1,000,000 over the current year. Spanish interpreter costs also continue to rise. The only good news is that foster care costs went down this year for the first time. Also the Alex Flaharty court order is no longer in effect. Building Inspections Paxton Arthurs, Building Inspections Director, said that the additional inspector position in Building Inspections, approved by the Board in February, will be filled in July. He is also proposing to cut a property development technician position to part time in the Archdale office. The Board commended Mr. Arthurs for doing a good job, stating that they have received very favorable comments about him from contractors and the general public. Administration, Legal, Governing Body, Debt Service Frank Willis, County Manager, explained increases in the County's various insurance policy premiums. He also reported that he had cut the auditor position from the Finance Office. Phil Kemp, Chairman Robert B. Davis Darrell L. Frye Robert O. Mason J. Harold Holmes Alice D. Dawson, Clerk to the Board