June 23June 23, 2008 1
PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS June 23, 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 Monday, June 23, 2008 at 9:00 a.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 meeting to order.
Finance Director Andrew Davenport reported back to the Board relative to
directions given him by Commissioner Puryear at the last budget work session to bring
back scenarios for a 4.5% reduction to this years’ budget. He said he did not include cuts
to Fire Contract, Library, Mental Health, EMS, public schools, Sheriff, EDC or 100% grant funded programs, also as directed by the Board. He said he and his staff prepared
the 4.5% reduction scenario based on departmental recommendations, figured full
funding for schools and took remaining necessary funds from Fund Balance in order to
eliminate any tax increase. He told the Board that if this scenario was accepted,
approximately $0.15 in value of Fund Balance would have to be used. He recommended this not be done.
Mr. Davenport reviewed a proposal as requested by Commissioner Clayton at the
last budget work session for three scenarios of additional 10%, 12% and 15% funding for
schools over the original recommended budget amount of 8%.
Chairman Lunsford received a consensus from the Board that there would be no
tax increase reflected in the 2008-09 budget. He stated that the schools could not be
funded 100% without a tax increase. He said there was no place else to get revenues.
Further budgetary cuts would jeopardize county services.
Commissioner Clayton reminded the Board that the State of North Carolina is the
chief funder of the schools with $28,143,344 going to the Person County school system.
He further stated that between the state and federal governments, $31 million is coming
to the school system before the county contributes any funds to it.
Commissioner Bowes commented that the county cannot spend what it does not
have.
Commissioner Yarborough said it comes down to priorities; the public has not demanded growth of county services at the rate they have grown – public safety,
economic development and education should be priorities.
June 23, 2008 2
Commissioner Yarborough said if Fund Balance was going to be used to balance
the budget he would like to see the appropriation for the Museum in the amount of
$7,324 added back into the budget. The Volunteer Center, $7,120, was also added back
in.
Commissioner Clayton said he would recommend that employees be given a 1.5%
COLA beginning in July. He also recommended appropriating at least 10% to the
schools.
Commissioner Yarborough stated he would recommend appropriating 15% to the
schools.
Finance Director Davenport clarified that he was to prepare the Budget Ordinance
appropriating 10% above last year’s appropriation to the schools, adding back in a full 1.5% COLA, $7,120 for the Volunteer Center, and $7,324 for the Museum. The total to
be taken from Fund Balance would be $3,256,920.
A motion was made by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Commissioner
Bowes to direct the Finance Director to prepare a Budget Ordinance using the current tax rate with the changes suggested at the current work session and bring back to the Board
for review and possible adoption. The motion carried by a 3/2 vote, with
Commissioners Yarborough and Puryear casting the dissenting votes.
Commissioner Clayton proposed that the Board add the one-quarter cent optional sales tax on the ballot in November and see if the citizens will enact it and the funds go to
the school board for operating expenses.
A motion was made by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Commissioner
Bowes and carried to direct the Person County Board of Elections to conduct an advisory election on November 4, 2008 on the question of the adoption of an additional
One-Quarter Cent (1/4¢) Sales and Use Tax as provided for in Article 46 of Chapter 105
of the N. C. General Statutes.
By consensus, the date for the next meeting was set for Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION: A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear, seconded by Commissioner
Bowes and carried to go into Closed Session at 10:08 a.m. pursuant to G.S. 143-
318.11(a)(6) To consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness
,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.
June 23, 2008 3
Upon returning to Open Session at 10:36 a.m., a motion was made by
Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Commissioner Yarborough and carried to appoint
Paul Bailey as Interim County Manager for a period of one month or as necessary until a new full-time County Manager is appointed. The motion further included that Mr.
Bailey be compensated at the grade and step of County Manager for his period of service
in that capacity.
RECESS: A motion was made by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Commissioner
Yarborough and carried to recess the meeting until Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
___________________________ ______________________________ Faye T. Fuller, CMC Johnny Myrl Lunsford Clerk to the Board Chairman