062501June 25, 2001
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special budget session at 6:00 p.m. in the
Commissioners Meeting Room, County Office Building, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC.
Commissioners Kemp, Frye, Davis, Holmes, and Mason were present.
Budget Amendment — Medicaid
Jane Leonard, Deputy Finance Officer, reported that Social Services will be required to spend
more in 2000-2001 on federally mandated Medicaid than was originally budgeted, with expenses
expected to exceed the budget by $678,815. The Social Services budget has $280,000 of underspent line
items to apply toward this shortfall, but $398,815 is still needed. Ms. Leonard stated that the County's
investment earnings will exceed the budgeted amount and could be used to cover the needed budget
increase for Medicaid.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board unanimously approved Budget Amendment #55
to the FY 2000-01 Annual Budget, as follows:
GENERAL FUND - #55
Revenue Increase'
Investment Earnings $398,815
AppropriationIncrease'
Social Services $398,815
Budget Amendment — Health Insurance
Ms. Leonard explained that the County is self-insured for health insurance coverage, and the
County pays the first $50,000 of all medical claims filed during the year. Departments are charged for the
premium for each covered employee. It is estimated that claims for the last two months of this fiscal year
will exceed our budgeted resources. When this situation occurs, departments are charged an additional
premium based on their number of employees. All departments have reviewed their budgets and have
found additional funds for the estimated amount needed, except that the Sheriff & Jail department lacked
$15,000 having enough to cover their extra premium. Ms. Leonard said that the Administration budget
had sufficient funds to cover this shortfall.
On motion of Davis, seconded by Holmes, the Board unanimously approved Budget Amendment
#56 to the FY 2000-01 Annual Budget, as follows:
GENERAL FUND' - #56'
Appropriafion Increase Decrease
Sheriff & Jail $15,000
Administration $15,000
Budget Amendment — Public Works
Ms. Leonard stated that the amount of solid waste received at the transfer station this fiscal year
has exceeded our previous estimate. Public Works anticipates needing an additional $113,700 in the
landfill operation budget in order to pay the contractor to haul solid waste to the off-site facility. Also,
the tipping fee revenue needs to be decreased. The funds for this additional expense can come from a
reduction in 3 other departments within the Public Works Fund, appropriated fund balance, and a transfer
of some excess funds from the Landfill Closure Fund.
On motion of Mason, seconded by Frye, the Board unanimously approved Budget Amendment #57
to the FY 2000-01 Annual Budget, as follows:
On motion of Mason, seconded by Frye, the Board unanimously approved Budget Amendment #I
to the FY 2000-01 Landfill Closure Fund, as follows:
LANDFILL CLOSUREFUND - #1
Revenue Increase'
Interest on Investments $40,000
Fund Balance Appropriated $40,000
Appropriadon Increase
Landfill Closure $80,000
Adoption of Fire District Tax Rates
Chairman Kemp invited public comment on fire district tax rates.
Larry Brower, Chief of Guil-Rand Fire Department, asked that their rate remain at 104. They
have just built a new station and will have debt service over $2.2 million from that project.
Frank Thompson, 1896 Hwy 42 South, asked the Board to reduce Eastside's rate to 44.
Darrell Voncannon, Board President of Seagrove Fire Department, said no citizens had come
forward to complain about their requested tax rate. He said fire departments are having trouble getting
enough volunteers, and they need money to hire paid firemen.
J. R. Beard, Chief, Liberty Fire Department, said fire service has to grow with the County or
everyone will be playing catch-up.
Arnold Allred, Board President of Franklinville Fire Department, said they need full funding to
work towards a better ISO rating.
Eric Hoffman, captain for Eastside Fire Department, asked for their rate to remain the same so
they can hire a daytime fireman and work towards a better ISO rating.
Bob Beane, Hwy 42 South, asked that Eastside's rate be reduced to 44.
GENERAL FUND - #57
Revenue
Increase
Decrease
Miscellaneous
$96,000
Fund Balance Appropriated
$23,000
Sales and Service
$59,000
Appropriation
Increase
Decrease
Landfill Operation
$113,700
Administration
$4,525
Recycling Program
$5,800
Other Operations
$43,375
On motion of Mason, seconded by Frye, the Board unanimously approved Budget Amendment #I
to the FY 2000-01 Landfill Closure Fund, as follows:
LANDFILL CLOSUREFUND - #1
Revenue Increase'
Interest on Investments $40,000
Fund Balance Appropriated $40,000
Appropriadon Increase
Landfill Closure $80,000
Adoption of Fire District Tax Rates
Chairman Kemp invited public comment on fire district tax rates.
Larry Brower, Chief of Guil-Rand Fire Department, asked that their rate remain at 104. They
have just built a new station and will have debt service over $2.2 million from that project.
Frank Thompson, 1896 Hwy 42 South, asked the Board to reduce Eastside's rate to 44.
Darrell Voncannon, Board President of Seagrove Fire Department, said no citizens had come
forward to complain about their requested tax rate. He said fire departments are having trouble getting
enough volunteers, and they need money to hire paid firemen.
J. R. Beard, Chief, Liberty Fire Department, said fire service has to grow with the County or
everyone will be playing catch-up.
Arnold Allred, Board President of Franklinville Fire Department, said they need full funding to
work towards a better ISO rating.
Eric Hoffman, captain for Eastside Fire Department, asked for their rate to remain the same so
they can hire a daytime fireman and work towards a better ISO rating.
Bob Beane, Hwy 42 South, asked that Eastside's rate be reduced to 44.
Derrick Clauston, 2483 Linnie Court, said Eastside's expenses go up every year and that if their
budget is cut, they will not be able to hire a daytime person and may have to reduce services.
Troy Powell, Chief of New Hope Fire Department, asked that their rate remain the same.
Tracy Boyles, Chief of Farmer Fire Department, said they need a new squad truck and tanker and
asked that their rate remain the same.
John Hussey, Level Cross Fire Department, said they need to add a paid fireman to work on their
ISO rating; he asked that their rate remain the same.
David Ray, President of the Board of the Climax Fire Department, said it is leadership's
responsibility to speak in support of the fire department's request and to relate what a value to the
community it is.
Danny Burgess, Hwy 22 North, Franklinville, said he supports Franklinville's rate remaining the
same, but he would like for the department to meet with the community to discuss how they are spending
fire tax funds.
John Hulin, Bethel Friends Road, Asheboro, asked that Eastside's rate be reduced to 44.
Lane Moore, Spoons Chapel Road, said the fire department saved his wife's life when they used
the Jaws of Life to extricate her from a wrecked vehicle. He said when someone needs the service of a
fire department, he doesn't ask how much it costs.
Brian Barr, Assistant Chief for Westside Fire Department, said they want to add a station in the
area nearest Farmer and want to work on reducing their ISO rating. He asked that their rate remain the
same.
Jim Hill, Chief of Tabernacle Fire Department, said they added to their building last year and had
to get a loan to do that. He said over 50% of their calls occur during the day, and they need to add a paid
daytime position. They could not stand a cut in their budget.
Earl York, Jr., 3185 Ramseur -Julian Road, Liberty, said he is willing to pay the 84 fire tax.
Chairman Kemp asked for a show of hands of those citizens in support of their fire tax remaining
at the current rate. Approximately 35-40 raised their hands in support; approximately 15 raised their
hands in opposition.
Harris Brown, Chief of Sophia Fire Department, said they had to turn off their heat last winter
because they could not pay their bill. With a reduction they won't be able to do anything. He said it is
unfair that no one wants to cut school taxes or the Sheriff s budget, yet everyone wants to cut fire taxes.
He talked about the enormous number of volunteer hours the firemen work on behalf of their
communities, the amount of out-of-pocket expenses they incur in carrying out their duties, and the large
amounts of time they sacrifice with their families to provide this service.
On motion of Davis, seconded by Frye, the Board unanimously voted to accept the reduced rates
requested by Bennett and Fairgrove and to set new tax rates for all other fire districts by calculating a
20% increase in tax revenue over the amount of tax revenue they received this year. The tax rates for fire
districts for FY 2001-2002 are as follows: Bennett, 74; Climax, 9.34; Coleridge, 7.34; Eastside, 5.54;
Fairgrove, 6.54; Farmer, 7.54; Franklinville, 7.74; Guil Rand, 104; Julian, 9.54; Level Cross, 94;
Northeast (Liberty), 6.84; Randleman, 104; Seagrove, 9.74; Sophia, 9.64; Southwest (New Hope), 9.24;
Staley, 9.64; Tabernacle, 8.74; Ulah, 6.14; Westside, 8.24.
Adoption of Archdale -Trinity School District Tax
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board unanimously set the Archdale -Trinity School
District tax rate at 7.54.
Adoption of Fee Schedules
The Board made no changes in any County fees currently being charged.
Budget Discussion
Chairman Kemp reported that the Manager had found $281,082 in additional revenues to cover the
additional appropriations discussed at the last meeting. These appropriations included a pay plan
adjustment to 3% from 2.5%, classification/market changes to pay plan, part-time cost for 2 additional
early voting locations, and new 20 -hour position in Elections.
Commissioner Frye stated that he would like to see the County Schools teacher supplement issue
on a referendum. He said the County has a huge debt and needs to remain financially sound.
Adoption of Final Budget for FY 2001-2002
On motion of Frye, seconded by Holmes, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the Budget
Ordinance for FY 2001-2002 (ATTACHED), which sets the property tax rate at 484 and makes the
following changes to the County Manager's proposed budget: (1) appropriate $645,793 from the Fund
Balance to give the County Schools an additional $518,5 72 for current expense to provide an additional
I% supplement for teachers in the County School System and to give the Asheboro City Schools an
additional $127,221 for current expense, (2) approve the proposed changes in appropriations and
revenues of $281,082 discussed earlier. These changes are as follows:
Proposed Budget: $75,579,465
Additional Annronriations
Pay Plan Adj. to 3% from 2.5 %
Classif./Market chgs to Pay Plan
Part-time cost for 2 add. early voting loc.
New 20 -hr. Position in Elections
10-690-50 County Schools Current Expense
10-690-54 City Schools Current Expense
Additional Revenues
10-367-02
Gasoline Tax Refund
10-340-00
Gross Receipts Tax on Lease & Rental Vehicles
10-350-00
Court Facility Fees
10-318-00
Tax Garnishments
10-351-00
Officer & Tail Fees (Clerk of Court)
10-378-00
Tax Collection Fees -Asheboro
10-378-03
Tax Collection Fees -Archdale
10-378-05
Tax Collection Fees -Randleman
10-377-01
School Resource Officer
10-377-02
RCC Resource Officer
10-372-02
Ambulance Fees
$ 99,664
$ 145,000
$ 19,942
$ 16,476
$ 518,572
$ 127,221
Total: $ 926,875
$ 4,500
$ 21,600
$ 20,000
$ 4,000
$ 8,000
$ 3,000
$ 1,000
$ 1,800
$ 8,562
$ 1,974
$ 24,000
10-334-00
Rebate -Elderly Exemptions
$ 23,240
10-378-78
Collections Fees -Occupancy -TDA
$ 800
10-378-85
CMV Tax Collection Fees
$ 2,000
10-335-31
Gasoline Rebates
$ 1,000
10-345-00
1% Local Option Sales Tax
$ 57,917
10-346-00
'/z% Local Option Sales Tax (70%)
$ 45,802
10-346-01
Rest. '/z% Local Option Sales Tax (30%)
$ 19,629
10-346-10
Additional 1/2% Sales Tax (40%)
$ 12,903
10-346-11
Rest. Add. '/z% Sales Tax (60%)
$ 19,355
10-390-00
Fund Balance Appropriated
$645,793
Total: $ 926,875
Amended Budget: $76,506,340
Asheboro City Schools Tax
Commissioner Kemp made a motion to set the Asheboro City Schools tax at 134. After discussion
among the Board members, he withdrew his motion.
On motion of Kemp, seconded by Mason, the Board unanimously agreed to set the Asheboro City
Schools tax at 13.854.
Phil Kemp, Chairman
J. Harold Holmes
Robert O. Mason
Darrell L. Frye
Robert B. Davis
Alice D. Dawson, Clerk to the Board