June 9 1 pm Budget SessionJune 9, 2008
Budget Work Session 1:00 p.m.
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS June 9, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Johnny Myrl Lunsford, Chairman Steve Carpenter, County Manager
Jimmy B. Clayton, Vice-Chairman County Attorney Kyle W. Puryear Faye T. Fuller, Clerk to the Board
Larry H. Bowes Brenda Reaves, 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 9, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’ meeting
room in the Person County Office Building for a budget work session.
Chairman Lunsford called the recessed meeting to order. He explained the
meeting was to allow department heads and others an opportunity to appear before the Board to express concerns relative to their proposed 2008-2009 budget.
Wanda Rogers – Representing Person Industries – Update on recycling
proposal- Visit completed by NCDHNR- If budget is not funded as proposed, it will
impact her entire operation. Large community interest in the recycling project – She continues to work on business plan.
Sheriff Dewey Jones - Requested two patrol deputy positions and one vehicle
($33,865); $15,000 for DARE & GREAT programs, additional $5,400 to cover additional
phones and $500 for Dues & Subscriptions be added back in budget.
Gerald Lunsford - P.A.T.S. – Requested one-half time Administrative Assistant
position/Safety Officer ($14,000 approximately). State funds would provide for one-half.
Would provide training for drivers.
Glen Newsome, EDC – Requested additional postage funds - - Also a shell
building program is needed. There are no vacant buildings to show prospects.
Jim Stovall, Chairman Roxboro-Person County Economic Development Board – Asked for commitment of at least $250,000 toward a capital fund for economic development that would involve a shell building program and reserve funds for site
acquisition, recruitment and infrastructure for development projects.
Johnny Gentry, Fire Marshal – Spoke briefly about Fire Protection study – Study would be first step in the fire protection plan.
Janet Clayton, Health Director – Request for reclassification of a position –
chaplain for hospice program - $6,000 additional – Medicare accreditation guidelines
requires that this position be an employee – Asked that it be left in budget.
June 9, 2008
Budget Work Session 1:00 p.m.
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Dr. Larry Cartner, School Superintendent – On behalf of county’s largest
employer – make education funding a priority – revisit idea that schools are an external
agency – holding schools to a growth figure is not a reasonable proposition – $11.8 Million request is not padded – system is at risk of cutting 10% of certified workforce in
classroom.
Andy Davenport, Finance Director – Willing to cut some areas in his budget.
Beverly Warren, Social Services Director – Discussed line items of concern –
Two Supervisor Positions that were cut from budget – positions needed to provided relief
for six workers in family and children’s services.
Bruce Whitfield – Chairman Soil & Water Conservation District – Requested
$45,000 for a new position due to the reassignment of District Conservationist Jim Huey
to Martin County. Person County will be sharing a position with Orange County,
therefore, an additional position is needed to serve the public properly.
Michael Day – Emergency Medical Services – Original request was for an
additional 8 personnel, an ambulance and equipment to put a 4th EMS unit on line. There
is an 8% increase in call volume annually. Currently running approximately 5,300 calls
with 3 ambulances – trying to maintain coverage is pushing resources to limit. Running fifteen calls per day with spikes as high as thirty. Today revising original request to – add $70,401 to P/T for peak time truck – run a half-shift each day. Would equal two
one-half time equivalents-below 1,000 hours per year.
Capital – Includes implementation of Zoll Billing - $6,500
Russell Jones – Tax Revenue – Using $3.86 billion valuation for tax rate this
year, which is a conservative figure. Proposing a 97.25% collection rate for FY 2008-
2009. The current year will most likely end at 98%.
Tax Administration Budget includes items for move to new building. He also
urged the Board to fund a replacement vehicle for use in Reappraisal work in
Revaluation.
Marcia O’Neil, Roxboro Area Chamber of Commerce – Requested continued funded for Personality in the amount of $7,500 – This year sponsorship is down –
chamber membership is down - Personality is the biggest fund raiser for Chamber.
Bess Hester Whitt – Cooperative Extension – Thanked Board for support of
Extension in the past- Budget reflects only a small increase over last year.
June 9, 2008
Budget Work Session 1:00 p.m.
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RECESS: A motion was made by Commissioner Yarborough, seconded by Commissioner
Puryear and carried to recess the meeting at 2:43 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. for an
informational public comment session.
_____________________________ ______________________________ Faye T. Fuller, CMC Johnny Myrl Lunsford
Clerk to the Board Chairman