May 28
May 28, 2009
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY 28, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Johnny Myrl Lunsford Heidi York, County Manager
Jimmy B. Clayton
Kyle W. Puryear Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
B. Ray Jeffers
Samuel R. Kennington
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in recessed
session on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’ meeting room in the
Person County Office Building for the purpose of a budget work session.
Chairman Lunsford called the meeting to order. Commissioner Puryear was absent until
6:50 p.m.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following citizens made public comments:
Mr. Robert Ferrell, Commander of American Legion Post 138, and Commander of 5th
District inclusive of six counties, of 1356 Holeman Ashley Road, Timberlake thanked the Board
for reinstating the Veterans Affairs services back into the proposed budget for the next fiscal year.
Mr. Leigh Woodall of 200 Reade Drive, Roxboro, encouraged the Board to scrutinize the
budget to allow business to be conducted in a manner to provide the essential services for the
citizens as well as noting the Veterans of Person County would not be losing any benefits in the
proposed budget.
COUNTY MANAGER INFORMATION:
County Manager, Heidi York reviewed information and answered questions for the Board
that was requested prior to the work session. Ms. York illustrated the bids received for the
County Liability, Property and Workers Compensation in which the lowest bid submitted by the
North Carolina Association of County Commissioners bid a total package at $570,861 which is a
savings for the county in the amount of $145,586 over the premiums paid in the current fiscal
year. Ms. York noted the handout for Employee Compensation Reductions with options for
consideration. The Additional Reduction Considerations handout listed potential areas for even
more cuts with the savings noted for consideration. The Longevity information handout lists the
current program as well as the MAPS proposed longevity plan along with comparisons from other
counties. Longevity pay was created because merit pay was not and still is not in place to reward
employees for their effort.
Commissioner Kennington asked Ms. York to explain the State Retirement and the
County benefit for 401-K and Ms. York stated the Local Government Retirement is a state-wide
mandatory benefit, all employees contribute a required 6%. The county is required to contribute
4.92% for local government employees and 4.86% for law enforcement. The 401K is an optional
employer benefit except for law enforcement at required 5%.
May 28, 2009
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It was a consensus of the Board to adopt a balanced budget without a tax increase and
without any use of the fund balance, therefore, if items are added to the proposed budget, then
cuts would be needed somewhere to balance.
The Board discussed the following possible adjustments to the proposed budget and
requested the County Manager to bring back more information and an updated proposed budget
options including:
• Reinstating longevity at a cost of $284,000
• Reducing the county contribution by 2.5% for staff 401K accounts taking $323,000
• EDC position / Veterans position: both either part time or a combined 1 position
• Reinstating 5 of the 10% cut to fire departments
• Possibly reinstating the fireworks program
• Mitch Pergerson to come to a future work session to review in detail the Mayo Park
expenses
• Possible allocation of $4000 for the Roxboro Development Group for recruitment of
small businesses
• Reconsideration of allocating funding request to the Museum of History as well as
increasing taxes through Tourism Development Authority with proceeds to benefit the
Museum and/or the fireworks program
• Request justification from department heads for cell phone usage
• Request Sheriff to explain the $166,000 additional meals line item
• Review non-profits funding allocations
• Possible additional cuts in Governing Body Budget
• Travel line detail review for what is mandated training and what is discretionary
• Review of 1% across the board cuts of non-salaried, non mandated line items
• A copy of the line item detail for the DSS budget for the Board
Commissioner Kennington inquired about the County’s central bid procedures in place for
such items as copier and associated costs, fuel, lawyer fees, vehicle maintenance, jail meals, etc.
Ms. York explained a competitive bid process centralizing the copying, printing and fax services
and related supplies as well as fuel is planned for the next fiscal year.
RECESS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, and
carried at 8:42 p.m. to recess the meeting until June 1, 2009, at 5:45 p.m., at which time the
Board is invited to attend dinner with the Advisory Council of the Person County Cooperative
Extension Service in the County Office Building Auditorium with a regular scheduled meeting to
follow at 7:00 p.m. in the Commissioner’s meeting room.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Johnny Myrl Lunsford
Clerk to the Board Chairman