BC 2014 03 21 Recessed Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 21, 2014 (Recessed Meeting) Page 1958 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session in the Multipurpose Room at the Cabarrus County Governmental Center in Concord, North Carolina on Friday, March 21, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. Present - Chairman: Vice Chairman: Commissioners: Elizabeth F. Poole Larry M. Burrage Christopher A. Measmer Stephen M. Morris Jason A. Oesterreich Also present were Mike Downs, County Manager; Jonathan Marshall, Deputy County Manager; Pam Dubois, Deputy County Manager and Megan Smit, Clerk to the Board. Senator Fletcher Hartsell and Representatives Carl Ford, Linda Johnson and Larry Pittman were also present. Commissioner Measmer arrived at 9:22 a.m. and was present for the remainder of the meeting. Call to Order Chairman Poole called the meeting to order at 9:12 a.m. and welcomed attendees to the meeting. Conduct the Meeting in a Box with the Local Legislative Delegation The fallowing legislative goals were generally discussed: • Reinstate Lottery funds for school construction • Oppose shift of state transportation responsibilities • Oppose unfunded mandates and shifts of state responsibilities to counties • Endure adequate mental health funding • Preserve the existing local revenue base • Seek Legislation to expand county governments use of 911 funds, protect and enhance current funding streams and maintain full operational flexibility and autonomy Reinstatement of Lottery Funds Representative Johnson advised of general support on the state level for changes to the formula used to calculate lottery funds. She added that reinstatement of lottery funds is unlikely. Representative Pittman expressed opposition to the North Carolina Education Lottery. Senator Hartsell also expressed opposition to the North Carolina Education Lottery and stated he expects the shifting of funds to continue. Representative Ford stated counties shouldn't count on lottery funding. Commissioner Oesterreich expressed support for the reinstatement of lottery funds, noting that it would be of great benefit to Cabarrus County. Commissioner Measmer arrived at 9:22 a.m. and was present for the remainder of the meeting. Shift of Unfunded Mandates and Resoonsibilities County Manager Mike Downs inquired if the legislative delegation had heard of any unfunded mandates that the County should be aware of with the budget approaching. A brief discussion followed. Chairman Poole stated that State raises to teacher salaries impact the County budget, because the County matches the State raise for the County - funded positions. She also noted the Affordable Care Act impacts substitute teachers who work more than 30 hours a week, requiring insurance coverage. Endure /Maintain Adequate Mental Health Funding Senator Hartsell commented briefly on obstacles, such as funding formulas that complicate mental health funding. He stated the whole process