BC 1991 09 12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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303 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Cabarrus County Governmental Center in Concord, North Carolina, on Thursday, September 12, 1991, at 7:00 P.M. Present - Chairman: Billy J. Simmons, Jr. Commissioners: Carolyn B. Carpenter William G. Hamby,' Jr. Absent - Commissioners: Jeffrey L. Barnhart Kenneth F. Payne Also present were Mr. Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr., County Attorney, and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. The following members of the Cabarrus County Health Board were present for a joint meeting with the Board of Commissioners: Chairman John Lentz and Members Goldia Cruse, Vernon Russell, Bob Dayvault, Herb Smith, David Mashburn, and Alex Rankin. Also present were the following members of the Health Department staff: Dr. William F. Pilkington, Director; ValerieWhitlock, Director of Nursing; Rick Payne, Recycling Coordinator; Cindy Walker, Allied Health Supervisor; Jan Bryant, Chief Animal Control Officer; and Frances Taylor, Administrative Services Supervisor. After dinner, Chairman Simmons called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. He stated the purpose of the joint meeting was to discuss the goals and needs of Public Health in Cabarrus County. Health Board Chairman Lentz presented the recently published Health Department Annual Report for 1990 which outlined the increase in the number of patients served in its clinics as well as the success of many of the Public Health programs. For example, Mr. Lentz pointed out that the Child Health, Family Planning, and Maternity Clinics increased 47 percent during the five- year period 1986-91. In reviewing the growth of the clinics, Mr. Lentz stressed the need for a new facility to help ease the overcrowded conditions at the Health Department. He also briefly reviewed the Health Department's budget and the increase in funding, the success of the new full-time staff physician, the School Health Program and the need for additional school nurses in the county, the Family Planning Outreach Program for teens in the Logan Community, the Leap into Life Program, the Car Seat Loaner Program, the AIDS Information Program, and the Recycling Program. Chairman Simmons questioned Health Board members as to Public Health's greatest need in Cabarrus County. Responses included the need for more preventive measures such as an increase in health education along with the need for additional staff, a larger facility, and automation in records-keeping to handle the increased patient caseload. Members noted that the great increase in treatment services during recent years had placed a large amount of stress on both the staff and facility. During review of the current space needs, the members discussed the possibility of a "one stop shopping" or a campus type concept for all human service programs in the county. Dr. Herb Smith, Chairman of the Human Services Committee, reported that his committee was studying that type of service but at this time he was unsure of the committee's future recommendation. Mr. Lentz requested direction from the Board of Commissioners in preparing revenue estimates for future Public Health budgets. Chairman Simmons stated in his opinion it was good to be conservative in estimating revenues but the Health Board should include the revenue funds in the budget if it believes that the money is going to be received. In addition, Chairman Simmons reviewed the expected increase in the current $33 million in annual tax revenues as well as the expected increase in the current $19 million in annual payroll costs over the next five years. According to Chairman Simmons, this tax revenue would amount to the availability of approximately $400,000.00 to $500,000.00 per year in discretionary funds for use by the County. He explained that the Board is in the process of preparing a Revenue/Expense forecast in order to determine how much money to allow for growth and to assist the Board in meeting the numerous capital improvement needs such as those for Public Health, Schools, and Social Services. Chairman Simmons also informed the Health Board that the County would project the tax revenue for the next fiscal year and would advise them of available funds prior to the start of the budget process for 1992-1993. The Board discussed the Animal Shelter and the need for a new facility in a more accessible location. Chairman Simmons proposed that the County sponsor a matching funds program as an incentive for the public to raise funds for the construction of a new facility. Health Board members were receptive to this proposal and Mr. Alex Rankin volunteered to meet with interested individuals to develop plans for a new facility and to discuss the implementation of the matching funds program. Chairman Simmons also suggested that the Health Board look at such alternate means for raising revenue for the Animal Shelter as an