BC 2001 05 31 - Laserfiche WebLink

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109 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session in the Multipurpose Room at the Cabarrus County Governmental Center in Concord, North Carolina, on Thursday, May 31, 2001, at 6:30 p.m. Present - Chairman: Arne L. Fennel Vice Chairman: Robert W. Carruth Commissioners: Robert M. Freeman Richard D; Suggs Absent - Commissioner: Coy C. Privette . Also present were Mr. Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County Manager; Mr. John D. Day, Deputy County Manager for Operations; Mr. Don C. Cummings, Human Resources Director; Ms. Cathie K. Straub, Budget Officer; and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. Chairman Fennel called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Parks and Recreation Mr. Steve Little, Parks and Recreation Director, presented an overview of the proposed FY 2002 budget for Parks and Recreation, including the North Cabarrus Park, W. W. Flowe Park and Frank Liske Park. He reported that work on the Stonewall Jackson Soccer Complex is proceeding on schedule, with the fields to be ready for the fall of 2002. General Services Administration Mr. John Page, Director of General Services, presented an overview of the General Services budgets, including General Services Administration, Street Sign Maintenance, Building Maintenance, Facility Services, Fleet Maintenance, Courts and Grounds Maintenance. Grounds Maintenance became a division of General Services in February 2001. Development Services Mr. Mike Downs, Director of Development Services, reviewed the budget requests for Development Services, including Zoning, Building Inspections, Erosion Control and Emergency Management. He reported that staffing levels for inspectors are closely monitored and that another electrical inspector may be needed in the near future. Mr. Downs reported that chiefs from three fire departments were present to request an increase in the fire tax for their districts. The requested increases are included in the preliminary budget. Chief Max Deal and Assistant Chief Robert Earnhardt of the Mt. Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department requested an increase in that district's fire tax from .04 to .06. Assistant Chief Earnhardt explained the additional funding is needed to purchase a new tanker truck as a replacement for a 1974 vehicle. He reported a portion of the Mt. Mitchell district has been lost to the City of Kannapolis through annexation. Chief Tim Hurlocker of the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department presented a revised FY 2002 budget requesting an increase in the fire tax from .04 to .045. He stated the increase is needed to maintain existing levels of service and provide required equipment. Also, Chief Hurlocker commented on the difficulty in finding volunteers and stated the fire department now pays $3.00 per call as an incentive to its.volunteers. Chief Richard Bergeron of the Northeast Volunteer Fire Department requested an increase in that district's fire tax from .06 to .07 in order to maintain existing levels of service. He stated the department tries to replace its equipment on a rotating basis and is currently making payments to the County for the replacement of its station. Chief Bergeron pointed out there is no type of industry or commercial activity in the district and there is a lack of volunteers during daytime hours. Emer~enc~ Services Study Mr. Downs presented the Cabarrus County Emergency Services Study that the Board had requested in June 2000. The study addressed the present status of services, future demands of the services and what changes will need to be made to meet those demands. Mr. Downs introduced staff members Greg Walters, Ben Mabrey and Gerri Nash who assisted with the study.