061002June 10, 2002
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special budget session at 4:00 p.m. in the
Commissioners Meeting Room, County Office Building, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC.
Commissioners Kemp, Frye, Holmes, Davis and Mason were present.
Soil and Water Conservation District
Craig Frazier, Chairman of the Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, voiced
his appreciation for all the County Commissioners have done for this department. He reported that an
important farm bill has passed that will provide technical assistance dollars for the department, effective
October 1, 2002. He said they are hoping to get another cost -share position with some of these funds.
Public Health
MiMi Cooper, Health Director, said that the reimbursement rate for Medicaid that the Health
Department has been receiving may be changed, but there is a concerted effort to fight this change. Their
Maternity and Home Care Programs are eligible for these reimbursements.
Sheriff and Jail
Sheriff Litchard Hurley said that his budget has been cut $328,000 and that if the Board has any
extra money, he needs it. In response to questions from the Board, he reviewed the DARE Program,
CARE Program and School Resource Officer positions.
Day Reporting Center
Pam Hill, DRC Director, said that state funding for their adult program is still uncertain but that
the juvenile program will be funded. She said that the pre-trial program (two positions) would have to be
terminated July 1 if the legislature has not adopted a budget by then. She said she had requested funding
for one of these positions if the state does not fund this program. The Jail Population Management
Specialist position would cost approximately $32,000. The pre-trial program is very important because it
keeps people out of jail. Eighty-five people have gone through the program this year.
Cooperative Extension
Lynn Qualls, Cooperative Extension Director, said that 75% of their budget is for personnel. They
have 18 employees, a few of which are part-time. She said that they have a great need for an additional
secretary. She distributed a handout detailing a justification for this additional position. She reminded
the Board that this department's positions are funded 50% by the County and 50% by the State. The
secretarial position would cost the County about $11,500.
Computer Services
Annette Crotts, Computer Services Director, gave the Board an update on the County's new phone
system. The transition was completed over the past weekend. The Administrative Office of the Courts
decided to put the State employees in the Courthouse on a separate system, so they will all have new
numbers when they move into the new Courthouse.
Planning and Zoning
Hal Johnson, Planning and Zoning Director, told Commissioners that the new Planning
Information Specialist position added this year has had a big impact on their operations, and it has also
been good for public relations. He said that municipal water and sewer lines are currently being drawn
into the County's computer system so that they will ultimately become part of our GIS system. The
department is also developing a Randleman Dam stormwater education program, and they will do this for
other watersheds as well.
Mr. Johnson discussed items cut from his budget:
• Planner II position — The Code Enforcement Officer recently became certified to perform the
duties of a Planner I and is doing some work in that area. He is now asking for a Planner I instead
of a Planner II position. He would like to move the Code Enforcement Officer into a Planner I
position and hire someone to fill the Code Enforcement Officer position. This addition would
cost approximately $35,000.
• Recreation Master Plan — $40,000 for this project was appropriated earlier this fiscal year, but it
was cut out after Governor Easley kept the County's reimbursables. The Tourism Development
Authority had originally agreed to fund the other $10,000 for this work. They have discussed the
possibility of increasing their funding, perhaps to $20,000 or $25,000. Having a recreation master
plan in place is important for municipalities who apply for grants because they get extra points for
it.
• Replacement Vehicle — This vehicle is used by the Code Enforcement Officer, who covers the
entire county. This is the 4th year he has requested a new vehicle.
Personnel
Kim Newsom, Personnel Director, pointed out that no cost -of -living raises or merit money have
been included in the proposed budget. Additionally, insurance costs are going up significantly, and
employees will have additional premiums to pay for health insurance coverage.
Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Phil Kemp, Chairman
J. Harold Holmes
Robert O. Mason
Darrell L. Frye
Robert B. Davis
Alice D. Dawson, Clerk to the Board