AG 1998 08 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT 636 3. Per Blair Bennett, added additional $15,000 to cover EMS overtime. 4. Per Blair Bennett, increased purchase service fo~ Finance by $25,000 - this is for the Lock Box Fees for BB&T. 5. For organizational purposes only - separated $34,000 from the regular Cooperative Extension Budget and set up the 4-H Afterschool Department. 6. Per John Day, added $15,000 to Property Maintenance Budget to upgrade shrubs and plants at the Courthouse. 7. Added $45,000 to Board of Elections for extra Congressional Race Election. Because of a lawsuit concerning the US House District Congressional Lines, we could not place on the May 1998 Primary Ballot. This election may be held September 15, 1998. 8. Implemented payroll changes (merit increases, development increases, new hires and terminations) for the following pay dates: 4/3/98; 4/17/98; 5/1/98; 5/15/98; 5/29/98; 6/12/98 (Decrease of $56,129 due to retirement incentives) 9. Adjusted revenues and expenditures in the Aging and Social Service Budgets to accurately reflect the final MCCBG Grant figures. (Decrease of $8,921). 10. Added $200,000 to the Sheriff's Budget for completion of the 800 mhz system. Commissioner Barnhart introduced discussion of the school facility needs, including a new Harrisburg Elementary School and a new high school. He reviewed an earlier proposal by Commissioner Niblock to use $8.5 million in bond funds for the Harrisburg Elementary School along with additional funds to build a new high school. In order to meet the continued need in the Harrisburg area and to build a new high school, Commissioner Barnhart proposed that the Board take the following action: (1) Go out for a Certificate of Participation for $30 million to fund a new high school, including the land cost; (2) Use $2.5 million from undesignated fund balance along with the remaining $8.5 million in bond funds to complete the Harrisburg Elementary School project conditioned upon the fact that the Cabarrus Board of Education will turn over the old Harrisburg School land to the County when it is done to be sold to the highest bidder and proceeds used for debt service; and (3) Increase the property tax rate by four cents (4¢). He placed this proposal in the form of a motion. Commissioner Mills offered the following amendments to Commissioner Barnhart's motion: (1) Restore the Animal Control Officer position that was deleted from the proposed FY 1998-99 budget; (2) Include $20,000.00 in the budget for computers for the Sheriff's Department with the County Manager and Sheriff to work out the details concerning these computers; and (3) Add three building inspector positions based on a determination by the County Manager and staff of the need for these positions with funding to be provided by fees. After brief discussion and clarification, Commissioner Barnhart accepted the proposed amendments by Commissioner Mills. There was lengthy discussion regarding the continued growth in the county, the critical need for school facilities and the method for funding these needs. A majority of the Board members commented on the need for the tax increase as proposed by Commissioner Barnhart. However, Chairman Casper supported a school bond referendum to be held in early 1999 to allow citizens to vote on school facility funding. Ms. Grace Mynatt, Chair of the Cabarrus County Board of Education, reviewed the County Schools Ten-Year Facilities Plan as submitted to the vo~ers at the last referendum. She pointed out that there would be a critical need for a new middle school in the very near future. Stating she could not speak for the full School Board, Ms. Mynatt indicated there should be no problem with turning the old Harrisburg School land over to the County. Other School Board members present for the meeting indicated their support of this action. County Schools Finance Director Gene Jordan outlined a summary of unfunded capital projects, Pending action of the Board at this time, he stated the following projects remain unfunded in the current Ten-Year Facilities Plan: New Middle School ($21 million); Elementary School Renovations ($14.5 million); New Bethel Elementary School ($13 million); and Technology ($14 million). UPON MOTION of Commissioner Barnhart, seconded by Commissioner Mills with Commissioners Barnhart, Mills, Carpenter and Niblock voting for and Chairman Casper voting against, the Board approved the following action: (1) Accepted the changes that had been made to the preliminary budget as outlined