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060600June 6, 2000 The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special budget session at 6:00 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room, County Office Building, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC. Commissioners Kemp, Davis, Holmes, Frye, and Mason were present. Emergency Services Neil Allen, Emergency Services Director, reported that the County has been losing money on fire inspections for municipalities who have contracted with the County to perform this service. He explained the increased fee amounts proposed for the 2000-01 fiscal year will take care of the deficit. Mr. Allen stated that five ambulances are on duty at all times, and six are on duty during prime time. Personnel respond to an average of 30 calls per day. He said they have cut 2:19 off their response time since last year. Two ambulance remounts are included in the proposed budget. Plans are underway for upgrading the 911 equipment and renovating the Communications Room to add two answering positions (to be paid for from the 911 Emergency Telephone Fund). Mr. Allen also reported on a 1996 FCC order. Phase I of that order requires all wireless carriers to provide public safety answering points (911 centers) a ten -digit call-back number and location data on the specific cell site where each cell phone call to 911 originates from. This phase is very close to implementation. Phase II requires wireless carriers to provide more precise location information, which will give coordinates within 100 meters of each call's origination point. Mr. Allen stated that two volunteer fire departments have requested a tax increase: Level Cross, from 9¢ to 11¢; Eastside, from 6¢ to 7¢. He also noted that he has signed a contract for locating a receiver for fire communications on a cell tower on Highway 64 East near the Eastern Randolph High School intersection. Public Works David Townsend, III, Public Works Director, said that tipping fees are proposed to remain the same for the coming year. He discussed decreasing revenues in the recycling program because ofthe weak market for recyclables. He gave an update on the new Courthouse construction. The first wall is going up this week. The Commissioners asked Mr. Townsend why the original Courthouse has not been repainted. They have received numerous comments about its appearance. He explained that certain repair and stabilization work has to be done before the painting; otherwise, the painting would have to be redone. He said the problem is with getting bids for stabilization of the original Courthouse building. Some of the work requires replacing and repairing some of the cornice work around the top of the Courthouse. The extent of work required cannot be determined until those sections are dismantled. Therefore, no one knows how to bid this work. But this work needs to be done before the Courthouse can be repainted. Additionally, North Carolina purchasing laws require formal bids for this project. He is working on a solution to this problem and will have a report soon. Social Services Martha Sheriff, Social Services Director, requested that five of the unfunded positions in her budget be made funded positions in the new budget. These positions include two social workers for adult services, one computer systems coordinator, one clerical supervisor, and one income maintenance technician for energy assistance. She provided information on caseloads and costs for the Foster Care, Adoption Services, and Child Abuse/Neglect programs. She also discussed Medicaid expenditures, including an $84,000 increase for adult care homes. The total Medicaid budget, including federal, state, and local dollars, is estimated at $67,898,906. Ms. Sheriff reported that the Food Stamps, Medicaid, and Child Protective Services Units, which have had compliance problems in the past, are all currently in compliance. Governing Body Frank Willis, County Manager, stated that dues and subscriptions have gone up because the County's population has increased, and some dues are based on population. Legal Mr. Willis noted that this budget is down because one position has been transferred to the Tax Department. Administration Mr. Willis said this budget is down because insurance amounts have decreased. Debt Service Mr. Willis pointed out the effects that the 2000 COPS and the Glenola Water Project had on debt service. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Phil Kemp, Chairman J. Harold Holmes Robert O. Mason Darrell L. Frye Robert B. Davis Alice D. Dawson, Clerk to the Board