June 19 Budget SessionJune 19, 2008
Budget Work Session 6:30 p.m.
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS June 19, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Johnny Myrl Lunsford, Chairman County Manager
Jimmy B. Clayton, Vice-Chairman County Attorney Kyle W. Puryear Faye T. Fuller, Clerk to the Board
Larry H. Bowes Deputy Clerk to the Board
Larry E. Yarborough, Jr.
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The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in recessed session on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’ meeting
room in the Person County Office Building. The purpose of the meeting was for a budget
work session.
Chairman Lunsford called the recessed session to order. He informed the public that was present that the meeting was for receipt of information from the Finance
Director and not for public comment.
Finance Director Andy Davenport reminded the Board that the only revenue
source the Board controls is property tax. Mr. Davenport reviewed the list of possible reductions to the recommended budget for the Board’s consideration and direction to
him.
Chairman Lunsford suggested that the EMS vehicle be added back into the
budget. He said he would be willing to provide some extra funds for schools by dipping into Fund Balance. He also said he would like to see the Sheriff’s budget include funds
for vehicles.
Commissioner Puryear stated he would like to see the $202,000 remain in the
budget for all vehicles (non-Grant funded) including Ambulance and full funding for the schools.
Commissioner Clayton inquired as to the amount in Fund Balance. Mr.
Davenport responded that the amount was $10.5 million at the end of last year. Mr.
Clayton stated that when $3 million is taken out to balance the budget, that is a recurring expense.
Commissioner Yarborough agreed that tapping Fund Balance for $3 million every
year or two will deplete the account and the only answer is to find a way to cut expenses.
He felt the only fair method is to ask each department to cut 4.5 percent from their budgets.
Commissioner Puryear agreed, but felt that EMS, EDC, Sheriff and schools be
exempted as those were the departments that the public felt most concerned about
funding.
June 19, 2008
Budget Work Session 6:30 p.m.
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The Board proceeded to review line by line, the possible reductions to the
recommended budget, as prepared by the Finance Department:
Add Ambulance back in $150,000; DSS Data Storage $50,000-Delete; Fire Marshal: Dry-hydrants and VFD Grants-$95,000-Delete; MAPS Triennial Salary
adjustments-$50,000-Delete; Animal Control Livestock Trailer-$12,000-Delete; Special
Projects-$101,000-Delete; Part-time/Finance-$20,000-Delete; GIS Plotter-$18,000-
Delete; Info Technology-$133,323-Delete; Part-time Administration-$32,500-Delete;
Museum-$7,324-Delete; RUDC-$19,000-Maintain; Hospital-$41,000-Maintain; Partnership for Children-$14,800-Delete; Volunteer Center-$7,120-Delete; SRO Officer-
$4,162-Maintain; Parks & Recreation Part-time-$40,000-Maintain.
Commissioner Clayton proposed that the Finance Department bring a scenario
back to the Board which would show no tax increase, a 10%, 12% and 15% appropriation to schools, 1½% COLA for employees at mid-year, $1.495 million cuts already
identified, and $1.510 million out of Fund Balance.
Commissioner Puryear proposed that the Finance Department bring a scenario
back to the Board which would show $1.495 million cuts already identified, no tax increase, a 4.5% cut for all departments (from this years’ recommended budget) except
schools, EMS, EDC, and Sheriff’s Department, fully fund schools, take balance from
Fund Balance.
CLOSED SESSION: A motion was made by Commissioner Yarborough, seconded by Commissioner
Bowes and carried to go into Closed Session at 8:09 p.m. pursuant to G. S. 143-
318.11(a)(6) To consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee; or to hear or investigate a
complaint, charge, or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee.
Upon returning to open session, there was no public statement.
RECESS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear, seconded by Commissioner
Bowes and carried to recess the meeting at 8:35 p.m. until Monday, June 23, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.
____________________________ __________________________________ Faye T. Fuller, CMC Johnny Myrl Lunsford Clerk to the Board Chairman