The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners reconvened the recessed budget meeting from Thursday, June 1, 2006, on Friday, June 2, 2006, at 9:00am in the Conference Room of the County Office Building, 90 South Main Street, Sparta, NC.

Present: Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren Taylor, Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon, Commissioner Ken Richardson, County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans. Commissioner Graylen Blevins and County Attorney Donna Shumate were absent.

Chair Eldon Edwards reconvened the recessed meeting at 9:00am.

Kate Cosner, Elections Director, came before the Board requesting a personnel change to change the administrative assistant to full-time. She explained the additional work load due to the new voting machines and the new voting laws. She gave the Board Jenny Billings’ background. She talked about this year’s salary line item versus next year’s. She further talked about saving money on the software for the machines. She read letters from Ed Adams and Jane Cirulis-McSwaim showing support for making the position a full-time position.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and Kate Cosner talked about the workload during off election years.

Chair Eldon Edwards and Kate Cosner talked about the budget request for making the position full-time.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and Kate Cosner talked about the election software.

Kate Cosner thanked the Board for allowing her the opportunity to present this request.

County Manager Don Adams explained the amount needed for this position change is $6,754.

County Manager Don Adams explained the Library’s request of $153,676 for next year, and he is recommending $130,633.

John Hedrick came before the Board to discuss the Library’s request. He stated that they are asking for a 20-hour employee to be moved to a 40-hour employee. He further stated that change will costs $14,366. He explained the need for the position.

Joan Sherill talked about this person has been an employee for over 20 years off and on.

Debbie Brewer talked about the benefits of having the employee full-time and his knowledge.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that he understands this request and thanked the Library staff for the presentation.

Frances Buckle stated her appreciation for the Board’s time.

The Board of Commissioners and County Manager Don Adams talked about the library’s budget.

Linda Edwards, EMS Administrative Director, came before the Board to discuss EMS rates. She explained that she recommends the base rates stay the same because they are inline with surrounding counties. She further explained she is recommending increasing the mileage rate by $2 per mile.

County Manager Don Adams explained what is included in the budget regarding EMS revenues.

Linda Edwards explained the number of transports last year and rates that Wilkes and Ashe counties charge for mileage.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and Linda Edwards talked about needing a new ambulance and the condition and mileage of the existing ambulances.

County Manager Don Adams and Linda Edwards explained that they are researching the costs for remounting the patient box onto a new truck.

Commissioner Ken Richardson and County Manager Don Adams talked about EMS revenues versus the EMS budget and how much the County supplements EMS.

Commissioner Ken Richardson and Linda Edwards talked about increased transportation to Winston-Salem.

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about two things that the citizens wouldn’t want to give up is EMS and Alleghany in Motion.

Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to increase the EMS mileage rate from $6 to $8. Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Commissioner Warren Taylor thanked Linda Edwards for her efforts at EMS.

County Manager Don Adams asked if the Board still agrees to hold the public hearing on June 19 at 10:30am.

The Board agreed.

The Board of Commissioners talked about when to have other budget meetings. They decided on June 12, 2006, at 9:00am.

Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about taking the departments’ requests one at a time to discuss them.

Commissioner Ken Richardson recommended having round-table discussions to allow each Commissioner to speak and then vote on each issue.

The Board of Commissioners and County Manager Don Adams discussed ways to offer incentives regarding the Hospital’s request. They further discussed ways to help the Hospital. They talked about inviting Ralph Castillo to come to another meeting to answer the Board’s questions.

Chair Eldon Edwards talked about the Wellness Center’s request. He stated that they have requested $100,000 and the County Manager has recommended $25,000.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon stated her concern about closing the doors and what will the employees, citizens and agencies do.

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about the County’s investment of $30,000 for a $2,000,000 facility.

County Manager Don Adams stated that Council on Aging has requested $132,330, and he has recommended $129,726.

Janis Fender came before the Board to discuss Council on Aging’s request. She gave the Board a handout detailing her request. She explained the items on the paper and how they will impact Council on Aging.

Chair Eldon Edwards talked about he thinks the mileage reimbursement rate increase in appropriate and explained why he thinks so.

The Board of Commissioners, County Manager Don Adams and Janis Fender talked about the State raising the minimum wage, the costs associated with it, the impact to Council on Aging and funding structure for in-home aide program.

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about if minimum wage goes up then it must be addressed. He further talked about he isn’t opposed to a mileage increase but thinks everyone needs to be treated equally.

The Board of Commissioners and County Manager Don Adams talked about the costs of raising everyone’s mileage reimbursement rate to 48¢ and the area mileage rates.

Janis Fender stated that they need $6,382 to make ends meet next year.

County Manager Don Adams reminded everyone that he recommended a 3% across the board increase. He talked about the need to look at all special appropriations because others have needs but decided not to come before the Board.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon talked about the need to be fair across the board.

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about if the minimum wage is raised, then it would have to be reviewed. He also talked about looking at mileage reimbursement rates. He asked Janis Fender to calculate how much additional monies would be needed for raising the mileage rate and increase in minimum wage and give it to the County Manager.

Chair Eldon Edwards thanked Janis Fender and Karon Edwards for attending this meeting.

Chair Eldon Edwards called for a brief recess at 10:50am.

Ralph Castillo with Alleghany Memorial Hospital joined the Commissioners meeting at 10:50am.

County Manager Don Adams summarized some of the questions from the prior conversations this morning with the Board about the Hospital’s budget request regarding incentives for a surgeon and physician recruitment.

Ralph Castillo explained the types of agreements that are typically done in the medical community; traditional monthly income guarantee and flat fee guarantee. He further explained the differences in the guarantees and how the money is paid out.

The Board of Commissioners, County Manager Don Adams and Ralph Castillo talked about how the incentive money is paid, profit from the physician’s practice, breakdown of the Hospital’s funding request, the Hospital’s financial shape and timeline for recruiting a surgeon and an internal-medicine physician.

The Board of Commissioners stated their appreciation for Ralph Castillo coming to this meeting.

Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to adjourn this meeting at 11:35am. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:


Eldon Edwards

Chairman