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June 17, 2002 Page 378 Mr. Mark Denny, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Cabarrus Mediation Center and Teen Court, expressed appreciation for the offer of office space at the Department of Social Services. However, he stated the program needs to remain in a centralized area near the Courthouse and relocation would cause a breach in the lease that is in place until 2004 for current office space. Mr. Denney asked the Board to consider the $8,094.00 cash appropriation to Teen Court. A number of other persons spoke in support of Teen Court and cash funding of $8,094.00 to provide the required local match. They addressed such issues as the effectiveness of the program and the impact of teenagers appearing before a jury of their peers. The speakers were as follows: (1) Judy Ford - Volunteer (Read a letter of support from Chief District Court Judge William G. Hamby, Jr.); (2) Laura Cable - Volunteer (Read a letter of support from District Court Judge Martin B. McGee; (3) Lamar Barrier - Concord City Council Member and Parent; (4) Ron Ferrell - School Resource Officer); (5) Joe H. Plummer - Attorney and Volunteer; (6) Collette Kinane - Student Volunteer; (7) Natalie Smith - Student Volunteer; (8) Christine Ruff - Student Volunteer; (9) Jennifer Hall - Student Volunteer; (10) Daphne Price - Parent (Read a letter of support from her daughter HaleY, a student volunteer); (11) Nancee Propst and her son Ross; and (12) Dorothy Brunk. Ms. Liz Jordack, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association, thanked the Board for its support of funding for mental health services. With the State forecasting a seven (7) to eleven (11) percent reduction in mental health funding, she urged the Board not to reduce any local funding for those services. Mr. Mike Brown, President of the Harrisburg Fire Department and Rescue, spoke in support of the department's request for a three cents increase in the fire tax for Harrisburg Fire District. He stated the increased funds are needed to keep up with the growth in that area of"the County, give pay raises (.market adjustments) to current employees and to hire four additional employees. Ms. Vanita Laws, employee with the Department of Social Services, addressed the Board regarding the Community Alternatives Program (CAP), specifically the elimination of 195 part-time in-home aide positions through a reduction in force and the transfer of the in-home aide services to Good Health Services, a private medical staffing agency. As a County employee for more than 20 years, she stated she would lose retirement benefits and receive a reduction in pay as an employee of Good Health Services. Ms. Laws asked the Board to continue its support of CAP and the services it provides to the elderly and disabled in the county. Ms. Gayle Pittman, an In-Home Aide with the Department of Social Services, expressed concern about the 195 CAP employees who will lose their jobs with Cabarrus County on July 20. She spoke in support of CAP and questioned the decision to turn those services over to a private agency. Ms. Grace Mynatt, Chair of the Cabarrus County Board of 'Education, addressed the Board regarding the FY 2002 school funding and the requested funding for FY 2003. She discussed per pupil funding for new students and funding required for opening three new schools. Also, Ms. Mynatt advised that the Board of Education did not ask for more funding for FY 2003 than they were told they would get from the County. Mr. Tom Faggart commented on the uncontrolled growth and the impact of that growth on the County's schools, roads, fire departments, etc. He stated the need to control growth and to balance residential growth with industry. There being no one else who wished to address the Board regarding the FY 2003 Cabarrus County Budget, Chairman Freeman closed the public hearing at 8:25 p.m. There was lengthy discussion regarding the Teen Court Program, including the requested funding of $8,094.00 and the proposal to relocate the program from its current facility to the Department of Social Services. In response to questions by the Board, Ms. Jessie Blackwelder (Director of the Cabarrus County Mediation Center and Teen Court) stated in her opinion the proposed relocation would reduce the effectiveness and efficiency of Teen Court. She commented on the frequency of work at the Courthouse and the lack of transportation for students and volunteers to the Department of Social Services.