BC 2004 05 31 RECESSED - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 31, 2004 Page 482 General Comments by the Chairman Chairman Freeman briefly commented on events during the past year, including the largest industrial lay-off in North Carolina history with the closing of Pillowtex, the current unemployment rate of 7.1 percent and the 388 foreclosures that have occurred thus far in 2004. Budget Review Session Chairman Freeman recessed the meeting at 5:35 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room. The Board then began review of the proposed FY 2005 Cabarrus County Budget. Pro~ected Expenditures and Revenues Cathie Straub, Budget Officer, reviewed the FY 2005 expenditure summary by service area and highlighted the changes in various departments and programs. She distributed corrections to the expenditure information contained in the preliminary Budget, specifically Amended FY 2004 expenditures and Recommended FY 2005 expenditures for Social Services. Pam Dubois, Deputy County Manager, presented the FY 2005 revenue summary and reviewed the various revenues such as property taxes, other taxes such as sales, permits and fees, etc. Based on the revaluation effective January 1, 2004, Ms. Dubois reported the revenue neutral tax rate is $0.4973. She explained this is the rate estimated to produce revenue for the next fiscal year equal to the revenue that would have been produced for the next fiscal year by the current tax rate if the revaluation had not occurred. Five Year Financial Plan Ms. Dubois presented the Five-Year Financial Plan for the General Fund, Cabarrus Arena and Events Center and Solid Waste. She advised the Plan was based on a tax rate of 56 cents for each of the five years (FY 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009). During her presentation, Ms. Dubois responded to questions regarding incentive grants and the distribution of sales tax. Board of Commissioners Mrs. Bonds presented a brief overview of the proposed Board of Commissioners budget. She explained the major change was associated with the Attorney and Deputy Clerk positions added by the Board in FY 2004. Also, she reported funding for the Holiday Tree Contest was not included for FY 2005. Ms. Porter responded to questions about projected Legal Expenses totaling $75,000.00 and efforts to coordinate legal services and reduce those costs in FY 2005. She stated she would look into the possibility of serving as the attorney for the Planning and Zoning Commission. Health Insurance Mr. Cummings responded to questions by Commissioner Carpenter regarding employee health insurance costs. He explained the County health insurance plan for employees will change from a fully funded plan to a self-insured plan on July 1, 2004. County Manager Mr. Day briefly reviewed the proposed County Manager budget. The proposed budget reflected a 25 percent reduction in the consultant expense. Public Information Office Aimee Hawkins and David Baxter, Public Information Officers, reviewed the budget for the new department that is being established July 1. Funds were redirected from the Information Services budget for the department. Additional funding for planned marketing activities such as a quarterly newsletter to County residents was also included. There was discussion about efforts to enhance the manner in which information is provided to the public. Commissioner Carpenter reported she is working with municipalities to encourage the local newspapers to designate a particular page for the placement of all public notices. The public would then know where to look each day for notices of upcoming meetings, public hearings, etc.