June 7 Budget SessionPERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS June 7, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Johnny Myrl Lunsford, Chairman Steve Carpenter, County Manager
Jimmy B. Clayton, Vice-Chairman
Kyle W. Puryear
Larry H. Bowes
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 7, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Room of the Person
County Office Building. The purpose of the meeting was for budget deliberations.
Chairman Lunsford called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. and informed the group
they would hear from the County Manager as well as the Finance Director related to proposed
budget. Mr. Lunsford noted the Board had received good information from the Public Forum
held on May 29, 2007.
Mr. Carpenter reviewed with the Board that there was 18 more funding requests from the
Public Forum, some of which has lost State funding for programs, now looking to the County to
fund. Mr. Carpenter gave the group some updates on bills currently active in legislation. Mr.
Carpenter introduced to the Board what he called “Buyer Remorse”. He explained after giving
the Board the proposed budget (increasing taxes at 5 cents), there were no capital improvement
projects included. Mr. Carpenter further explained that special building projects that are critical
should be considered by the Board. The items include: 1) Cooling Tower ($50,000); 2)
replacing the central control panel at the Law Enforcement Center ($75,000); 3) Helena Gym
($100,000) and 4) improvements to 3 walking tracks ($60,000) noting Hurdle Mills walking
track in the worst condition estimating using $20,000 of the $60,000. Mr. Carpenter noted that
other than design dollars, no money is in the proposed budget for the Courthouse renovations.
Mr. Andy Davenport, Finance Director, commented to the Board that vehicles have been
funded out of a reserve that is now empty and future purchases would be a regular recurring
expense possibly requiring raising taxes. The group discussed funding future capital projects on
debt. Mr. Davenport noted it is increasingly difficult to fund multiple projects due to financing
and dedicating appropriate collateral, i.e. the Courthouse is already being used for collateral. Mr.
Davenport noted his “Buyer Remorse” issue is that there are not enough revenues to support
expenditures. He gave the example that if the proposed budget (5 cents tax increase) was
adopted today and to maintain the same budget for the next years would require an additional 4.1
cent tax increase. The group discussed the County’s over $10.2 million in financed debt and
options to possibly refinance at a lower rate as well as possibly take advantage of the low finance
rate to finance even more projects.
Mr. Lunsford announced to the group at 11:00 a.m. to take a 5-minute break and to return
with an idea of which direction to follow: current tax rate budget or by the proposed budget at a
5 cent increase. Upon return to the meeting the Commissioners listed their direction:
Commissioner Yarborough indicated he would like to cut pennies out of the proposed budget and
could live with a 1 or 2 cent(s) increase. Commissioner Bowes commented he agreed with the
June 7, 2007 – Budget Work Session 1
June 7, 2007 – Budget Work Session 2
proposed budget increasing taxes at 5 cents. Commissioner Puryear confirmed that he did not
want to raise taxes and would like to keep the present rate. Commissioner Clayton felt it was
necessary to increase taxes per the proposed budget. Commissioner Lunsford supported the 5
cent increase per the proposed budget.
The group proceeded to discuss specific line items in the proposed budget.
Commissioner Lunsford made the motion and Commission Clayton seconded to recess
until Friday, June 8, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. to further work on the proposed budget.
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Faye T. Fuller, CMC Johnny Myrl Lunsford
Clerk to the Board Chairman