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90 Discussion Concerning NorthEast Medical Center Mr. Clifton introduced discussion concerning NorthEast Medical Center, specifically its purchase of doctors' practices and contracting with the doctors for their .services. With the hospital's tax exemption status, this has resulted in the removal of land, buildings and equipment for those practices from the County's tax rolls. Ms. McHale commented on the inequity of taxing some physicians' offices and not taxing others. She also addressed the requirement for the County to report annually to the Department of Revenue the exempt values in the County. According to Ms. McHale, the County currently does not have information about the hospital's business/personal property to submit to the Department. After discussion, there was general agreement for Ms. McHale to prepare a more accurate analysis of the value of the real property acquired by the hospital in recent years and.removed from the County's tax rolls. Also, Ms. McHale will attempt to determine the value of both business/personal properties now controlled by the hospital and exempt from taxes. Additional Board action may be needed at a future date to authorize further analysis. Social Services Dr. Allen Dobson, Physician with the Mt. Pleasant Family Physicians and Board Chairman of the Cabarrus Access III Demonstration Project, discussed the Medicaid program and the continuing increase in program costs. He explained the Access III Medicaid Managed Care Program is operated as a collaborative effort by the Department of Social Services, NorthEast Medical Center, Cabarrus Health Alliance and area physicians and seeks to contain services and costs for Medicaid recipients. Mr. Jim Cook, Social Services Director, discussed the County's Medicaid costs, which the State has projected at $4,782,663.00 for FY' 2002. He reported the Social Services Board is advocating the implementation of stronger managed care principles and preventive care initiatives for the Medicaid program. Approximately 12 to 14 percent of County residents are on Medicaid. Mr. Cook also presented an overview of the FY 2002 budget requests for other areas of the Department, including Administrative Operations, Social Work Services, Child Support Services, Income Maintenance, Community Alternatives Program, Adult Services, Employment Program, Emergency Assistance, Child Foster Care/Adoption Services, Child Day Care, Adult Day Care and Medical/Human Services Transportation, etc. Mr. James Polk, Program Manager, reported on the success of the New Focus Program that began in February 2000. Staff members assess persons coming to Social Services and determine their needs prior to completing a public assistance application. If possible, their needs are met through immediate services or short-term emergency assistance. According to Mr. Polk, staff diverted 84 percent of those coming into the agency during the month of April from applying for cash assistance. Ms. Jeanne Dixon of the Child Support Services Division explained the Side by Side Program recently implemented in Cabarrus County. Non-custodial parents who have not made sufficient efforts to find and maintain employment are ordered by the Courts to do unpaid public service work in such places as schools, parks and landfill. Ms. Dixon also reported on the notices now showing on the local cable access channel to locate non-custodial parents who are not paying their child support. Mr. Cook distributed copies of the 2000 Annual Report for the Department of Social Services. Ad~°urnment There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Fennel adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Clerk to the Board