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January 7, 2003 Page 8 Mr. Day commented on the limited availability of land at the current downtown jail site and questioned the feasibility of proceeding with the proposed jail expansion to cover a 15-year period. He suggested the possibility of looking for a new site to construct a jail and other judicial facilities in a campus setting that would allow for future expansion. Mr. Gene Morris, Clerk of Superior Court, discussed the crowded conditions in the Courthouse. He outlined space needs to accommodate additional staff and record keeping requirements. Sheriff Brad Riley reviewed the overcrowded conditions in the County Jail and the immediate need for additional jail space. He reported that the inmate population in 2002 averaged 171 per day. There was lengthy discussion regarding the overcrowded conditions at the jail and the need to develop short-term measures to deal with the overcrowding. The Board also discussed the building of a new jail and justice facility in phases at a site located in the Concord area and the possible co- location of a new Concord police station at the new complex. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Carpenter, seconded by Commissioner Carruth and unanimously carried, the Board directed staff to discuss with Concord officials the possibilSty of co-locating a new police station on a site with a new Jail/Justice Center. Further, staff is to meet with Sheriff Riley to determine the next step to be taken in planning for the new jail facility and to discuss stopgap measures that can be taken at this time to address the overcrowded conditions in the jail. The Board by consensus agreed that an update on the Jail/Justice Center project is to be included on the Agenda (Old Business) for each regular Board meeting. EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION SYSTEM _Mr. Don Cummings, Human Resources Director, reviewed the Personnel Management Program that was put into place in 1994 to stabilize personnel activity and compensation. The program addressed the following: (1) Annual Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) based on the Consumer Price Index of the previous calendar year; (2) Salary study every two years; (3) 401K benefit provided to all employees; (4) Longevity pay for new employees was eliminated; and (5) Merit, based on performance, and career development pay plans were established. Mr. Cummings stated the system has worked well for Cabarrus County. Mr. Day reiterated that the Personnel Management Program has worked well but stated it could benefit from review. He suggested that the Board suspend all merit and development increases for the 2003-2004 fiscal year due to the current economic conditions. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter and unanimously carried, the Board adopted the following Ordinance. Ordinance No. 2003-01 AN ORDINANCE SUSPENDING MERIT INCREASES, DEVELOPMENT INCREASES AND THE BIENNIAL MARKET SALARY COMPARISON STUDY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003-2004 WHEREAS, the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners adopted the Cabarrus County Personnel Management Program on March 21, 1994 to address a number of compensation issues, including the Cost of Living Allowance, Market Comparison of Salaries, Merit Pay and Employee Development Plan; and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners adopted amendments to the Cabarrus County Personnel Ordinance on July 5, 1994, incorporating provisions of the Personnel Management Program relative to development increases and merit increases into Article III (The Pay Plan) and establishing Appendix H (Development and Merit Pay Administration Guide) of the Personnel Ordinance; and WHEREAS, concerns about the economy, the numerous plant closings and layoffs in Cabarrus County, the withholding of local reimbursements by the State of North Carolina and the reduced County revenue have created the need to suspend certain provisions of the Cabarrus County Personnel Management Program and the Cabarrus County Personnel Ordinance.