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June 16, 2003 Page 164 6. ~e may award and execute contracts which are not required to be bid or which G.S. 143-131 allows to be let on informal bids so long as the annual budget or appropriate capital project ordinance contains sufficient appropriated but unencumbered funds for such purposes. 7. He may execute contracts with outside agencies to properly document budgeted appropriations to such agencies where G.S. 15 A-248(b), 259, 449 and any similar statutes require such contracts. 8. He may reject formal bids when deemed appropriate and in the best interest of Cabarrus County pursuant to G.S. 143-129(a). Section VIII. A. This ordinance and the budget documents shall be the basis for the financial plan for the County of Cabarrus for the 2003-04 Fiscal Year. The County Manager and the Budget Officer shall administer the Budget. The Finance Director shall establish and maintain all records, which are in concurrence with this Budget and Budget Ordinance and the appropriate Statutes of the State of North Carolina. Adopted this the 16th day of June, 2003. /s/ Robert M. Freeman Robert M. Freeman, Chairman /s/ Frankie F. Bonds Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board Board members commended staff on the FY 2004 Cabarrus County Budget and commented on the County's ability to maintain the tax rate at 56 cents. There was discussion regarding the Five-Year Financial Plan and the impact of the 2004 revaluation on the FY 2005 County Budget, including the possibility of maintaining the tax rate at 56 cents for FY 2005. Board members also discussed the current economic condition, specifically the uncertainty about the future of the Pillowtex Corporation, the potential loss of 4,000 jobs and the impact on local residents. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Carpenter, seconded by Commissioner Privette and unanimously carried, the Board moved to transfer $50,000.00 from Contingency to the Emergency Assistance Program at the Department of Social Services to provide assistance to area residents, if needed, due to the uncertainty of the Pillowtex situation. If not used, the funds will be transferred back to Contingency at the end of the fiscal year 2004. [F-3(b)] Adoption of Cabarrus County Budget Ordinance - Special Fire Service District Taxes Fund for Fiscal Year 2003-2004 Mr. Day advised that the fire district taxes had been separated from the County Budget Ordinance into a separate ordinance for FY 2004. Commissioner Privette made a motion, seconded by Vice Chairman Suggs to adopt the Cabarrus County Budget Ordinance - Special Fire and Service District Taxes Fund for Fiscal Year 2003-2004 as presented. Commissioner Carpenter moved to amend Commissioner Privette's motion to include a three-cent increase in the Harrisburg Fire District tax rate (.0550 cents to .0850 cents). Commissioner Carruth seconded the motion. There was lengthy discussion both for and against the requested fire tax increase of three cents for the Harrisburg Fire District. Arguments in support of the increase included the following: (1) Life-saving services provided by the fire department; (2) Insufficient number of volunteer firefighters; (3) Discussions during the past year to establish a municipal fire department and the need to maintain the current level of service in order for the Town to assume operation of the department; (4) Growth in the Harrisburg Fire District and the increased growth that will occur when 1-485 opens; (5) Improved insurance rating of the fire district by the North Carolina Department of Insurance would result in lower insurance premiums for property owners; and (6) Railroad track splits fire district, thus requiring the operation of two fire stations. Arguments against the fire tax increase included the following: (1) Need to treat all 16 fire departments equally; (2) Lack of progress during the past year to set up the municipal fire department; (3) Use of volunteer firefighters rather than paid staff; and (4) Need for a study of all fire departments and development of a plan that addresses their needs.