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June 16, 2003 Page 159 Rear - from 30' to 0' (landscape buffers shall establish minimum setback) Adopted this the 16tn day of June, Commissioners. ATTEST: /s/ Frankie F. Bonds Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board 2003 by the Cabarrus County Board of /s/ Robert M. Freeman Robert M. Freeman, Chairman Board of Commissioners (F-3) P~oposed FY 2003-2004 Cabarrus County Budget - Public Hearing - 6:30 At 7:37 p.m., Chairman Freeman opened the public hearing on the proposed FY 2003-2004 Cabarrus County Budget. He stated each speaker would be limited to two minutes. The Public Hearing Notice was published in THE INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE on May 25 and June 3, 2003 and in THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (Cabarrus Neighbors) on May 25. Ms. Liz Jordak, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Central Carolinas, spoke in support of funding for mental health services in Cabarrus County. Mr. Harold Smith of Kannapolis expressed concern regarding the gap between revenues and expenses as well as the transfer of $11 million from various reserves to balance the FY 2004 Budget. He challenged Board members to do a better job in cutting expenses. Chief Charles Greene of the Harrisburg Fire and Rescue, Inc., spoke in support of the requested three-cent tax increase for the Harrisburg Fire District. He stated the department has tried to keep pace with the growth in the Harrisburg area, including spending its cash reserves and paying staff in order to meet the needs of the district. Chief Ed Phillips of the Allen Volunteer Fire Department and President of the Cabarrus County Firemen's Association gave a brief overview of how the volunteer fire departments operate and the role of the Board of Directors in setting the budgets for the fire departments. He commented on the lack of volunteers and the increased responsibilities placed on fire departments as a result of homeland security. Finally, he supported the requested increase in the fire tax rate for the Harrisburg Fire District. Ms. Gail Howard, resident of the Harrisburg community, spoke in support of the requested increase in the Harrisburg fire tax and commented on the life-saving services provided by the fire department. She stated her homeowners insurance premium would go up by $119.00 a year if she loses coverage by Harrisburg Fire and Rescue as compared to a cost of $30.00 if the fire tax is increased. Mr. Steven H. Smith, resident of the Harrisburg Fire District, objected to the requested increase in the fire tax rate and stated in his opinion the district does not need a full-time fire department. He discussed funding of volunteer fire departments by Mecklenburg County, stating Mecklenburg gives each of its volunteer departments $67,500.00 per year while Harrisburg received $700,000.00 in fire tax revenue. Mr. Bruce Hoff, resident of the Harrisburg Fire District, stated the department is working well for the area. He commented on the growth and development in the Harrisburg area and stated in his opinion the infrastructure should be provided, possibly with the assistance of developers, prior to growth. Mr. Harvey Gould, volunteer with Harrisburg Fire and Rescue, supported the requested fire tax increase. He cited the lack of volunteers and the need for money to operate the fire department. According to Mr. Gould, the response time will double if one of Harrisburg.s stations shuts down. There was no one else who wished to address the Board, and Chairman Freeman closed the public hearing at 7:57 p.m. £F-3 (a) ] Adoption of Cabarrus County Budget Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2003 2004