The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners reconvened the recessed budget meeting from Wednesday, May 31, 2006, on Thursday,

The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in speci= al session regarding the budget on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at 4:00pm = in the Board Meeting Room of the Count= y Administration Building, 348 South Main Street, Sparta, NC.

&= nbsp; Present: Chair Ken Richardson, Vice-Chair W= arren Taylor, Commissioner Randy Miller, Commissioner Doug Murphy, Commissioner M= illy Richardson, County Manager Don Adams a= nd Clerk to the Board Karen Evans. County Attorney Donna Shumate was absent.

Chair Ken Richardson called the meeting to order at 4:00pm.

County M= anager D= on Adams presented fee schedules for Alleghany in Motion. He explained the increases in the schedule.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve t= he AIM fee schedule. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County Manager Don Adams discussed the building inspections fee changes; reconnect and signs.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve t= he building inspection fee schedule. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County M= anager D= on Adams presented the Transfer Facility fee schedule. He explained the differences on ch= anging household fees to $60 and weight accounts to $60 per ton. He further explained that these cha= nges will raise approximately $75,000. He reviewed the reasons why t= he increase is needed; fuel costs/fuel surcharge, $2 per ton state fee charge = and need to purchase a loader.

Commissioner Warren Taylor <= /st1:PersonName>and County Manager Don Adams discu= ssed the BFI contract has one year remaining.

Chair Ken Richardson explained that the County Commissio= ners Association is lobbying to have the $2 per ton fee delayed until January 1 = rather than July 1 but it doesn’t appear to be happening.<= /p>

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve t= he solid waste fee schedule. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County M= anager D= on Adams presented information from Jim Burns with International Pipes & Accessories requesting the Emergency Managem= ent fire inspection fees be readdressed.

The Board read the information.

County M= anager D= on Adams reminded the Board that this is the second request from Mr. Burns wanting to know why the fire inspections are so high.= He reviewed the fee schedule. He told the Board that the numbers reflected in the letter are for h= is entire facility, and when Lane left, they were not charged for that space t= his year. He talked about the amount of time needed for the inspection. He explained that the fire inspecti= on fees bring in around $17,000 and $11,000 of that comes from four or five industries. He talked about f= ee schedules in the surrounding counties.&nbs= p; He explained that $5,500 would be lost if it is cut in half. He further explained that the four= or five industries take more time than the small stores. He talked about the amount of work required through the LEPC, fire departments involvements, and it is more ti= me than the two hours of actual inspection.&n= bsp; He reminded everyone that hazardous inspections require Level III ce= rtification which takes nine years to obtain.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked Gerald Leftwich talked about if there is a way to address some type of incentive program for doing a good job.

County M= anager D= on Adams and Gerald Leftwich talked about the things that Gerald does for industries than what industries are aware of in just doing the inspections. They talked about the different ty= pes of inspections. The County Manager explained that would put Gerald Leftwich in a difficult place.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about they get their rewards from their insurance company and OSHA.&nbs= p;

Commissioner Doug Murphy and Gerald Leftwich discussed that the fee schedule hasn’t changed since 1994.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about cutting the f= ees in half to help the businesses.

Commissioner Randy Miller suggested ¾ of a cent instead of cutting it in half.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about the money goes into th= e General Fund, and it is not enough money to cover the Emergency Management budget.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> He further talked about the taxpay= er is already supplementing it.

Commissioner Milly Richardson said that is a good point = and suggested leaving the fees as is.

Gerald Leftwich stated that he recommends that the Board= not go to a find-cause charge.

County M= anager D= on Adams explained that the Board had previously voted on this but he brought it back because of the letter.

County M= anager D= on Adams presented the budget summarizations sheets.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that the Board is at 1= 9% fund balance right now.

County M= anager D= on Adams agreed and stated that the State recommends 20-30%. He talked about ways the State loo= ks at the fund balance numbers.

Commissioner Warren Taylor <= /st1:PersonName>and County Manager Don Adams talked about the $65,000 from the Sparta School fund is sepa= rate and is not in the fund balance.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about ways to proceed with t= he budget at this point.

County M= anager D= on Adams explained the $65,372 proceeds from the loan for 8-classroom addition with = $11,000 budgeted remaining that they are putting in the playground equipment. He stated that the Commissioners c= an use this money for anything.

Commissioner Doug Murphy, Commissioner Warren Taylor and County Manager Don Adams discu= ssed it can go to the schools for any use and the uncontrollable costs for the schools.

Commissioner Doug Murphy made a motion to release this m= oney to the schools for their use. Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded the motion.=

Commissioner Randy Miller stated that he wanted to know = what the money will be used for.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that he is in favor of relea= sing it but wants to know what it will be used for.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about another possibility is giving them another $70,000 on their uncontrollable costs.

County M= anager D= on Adams reviewed the Board of Education’s budget and his recommendations on t= heir budget. He stated that he hasn’t gone back over the Board of Education’s budget but a lit= tle over $30,000 is directly related to the NCWISE position.<= /p>

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked for further clarification= on whether the State is helping with NCWISE.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that $10,000 for the Family Resource Center is needed.

The Board agreed.

Commissioner Doug Murphy stated that he thinks the money= is needed for Alleghany Group Homes to keep their head above water.=

Commissioner Milly Richardson discussed the Soil & W= ater department. She stated that s= he has no problem with the $2,815.62.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that he has no problem with = the travel request of $1,718. He = talked about there will be several discussions about reclassifying positions.=

County M= anager D= on Adams explained the justifications and other administrative assistants are in the= same situation.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that he has no problem with = the travel increase just the Board needs to look at salary changes as a whole.

Commissioner Milly Richardson asked about the EMS equipment and what happens if the equipment isn’t purchased since the Board has been made aware of this. She talked about pursuing grant fu= nds for this capital. =

County M= anager D= on Adams explained that they have applied for grant monies for the 3 lifepaks and we= re turned down. He explained the current defibrillator units and having maintenance agreements on the units.= He talked about the radio system and transmission system. He furth= er talked about the Hospital will pay $1,995 for the transmission base and wil= l utilize this service. He stressed the= importance of the transmission system. H= e said that he recommends all of these. He explained that this is taking the County back to a capacity that the County= used to have.

Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about the importance o= f the new lifepaks working with everything else.

County M= anager D= on Adams explained that the radios and transmission system are tied together. <= /o:p>

Commissioner Randy Miller and County Manager Don Adams discussed replacing them over two ye= ars rather than one.

Commissioner Milly Richardson explained that she attende= d a fire commission meeting last night, and they are having problems with volunteers responding to minor calls. She talked about some other counties give a per call stipend of $5 per call, wh= ich would be $73,450 or $10 per call, which would be $146,900. She talked about this would cover = one gallon of gas and would be helpful.

Chair Ken Richardson and County Manager Don Adams discussed how this could be done if = the fire departments submit the information like retirement.<= /p>

Commissioner Milly Richardson explained how other areas = do this with a maximum amount of $500 per person.

County M= anager D= on Adams stated that he isn’t sure about the volunteer status and would have to check into that. He further s= tated that he wants to avoid hundreds of $5 checks.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson and County Manager Don Adams discussed other volunteers responding to things. The County Manager explained that these numbers are based on 10 people responding per call, an= d it includes the rescue squad. He stated that he isn’t aware of anyone else.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson talked about putting the $73,450 on the paper of needs and looking at it later.

&= nbsp; County Manager Don Adams explained changing t= he part-time billing clerk to full-time previously approved based on the State approving= the position but they cut the allocated costs reimbursement. He stated that the additional amou= nt needed is $3,000.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Warren Taylor, Commissioner Doug Murphy and Chair Ken Richardson discussed adding that to the list of needs.=

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson asked if the tax office employee currently has a desk.<= /o:p>

County M= anager D= on Adams explained that the employee does have a desk currently.

Chair Ken Richardson asked about the building inspections capital request.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about if the buildi= ng industry is halted, they won’t be doing as much traveling this year.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that it is off of discussion= s.

Chair Ken Richardson asked if DSS is the same on capital= .

Commissioner Doug Murphy and Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that you have to in order to be fair across the board. =

Chair Ken Richardson asked about the no new personnel stance.

Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that the Board need= s to make sure the County can pay for what we have before adding any.=

Chair Ken Richardson asked about the request for the Extension Service.

Commissioner Milly Richardson said that the person in th= at position stated she doesn’t need any help then why give it to her.

County Manager Don Adams provided the history of the position going from full time to part time and = the need for someone in the office full time.&= nbsp; He explained that the person is very skilled, but works part-time. He further explained that it will = come time later to make the position full time with benefits.<= /p>

Chair Ken Richardson mentioned the intern position in the planning department.

Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that the County sho= uld look at that.

Commissioner Doug Murphy talked about looking at that la= ter when the Board discusses personnel.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about this is for a summer intern.

County M= anager D= on Adams explained Randy Blankenship= 217;s request for Toni’s position.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and County Manager Don Adams ta= lked about this would free up Kathy some.

Chair Ken Richardson asked about making the Elections position full time.

Commissioner Doug Murphy stated that he agrees.

County M= anager Don Adams explained that they= are asking for deputy director at grade 61. He further explained their request.

Chair Ken Richardson and County Manager Don Adams discus= sed the position is at a grade 57 currently.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that the library is asking f= or 2% more for books.

The Board of Commissioners took a brief recess at 5:12pm.<= /p>

Chair Ken Richardson talked about changes to now is $212= ,122.20 and without the schools is $142,494.20.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about his concerns about pay= for starting employees being the same as 10-year employees, 2% built into budge= t, need to look at something to align this issue. He talked about one of the reasons = for the reclassifications are to get the employees in a more favorable position= to get more money.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about longevity needs to be addressed. She reiterated that this needs to = be looked at but the County does not have the time nor resources at this time.=

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked about looking at building= inspections.

Chair Ken Richardson explained that when the Board gives= the County Manager the authority to administe= r the salary plan, it makes it hard to look at one person.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked if the Board is going to = look at inspections since elections was discussed.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that another one is in= Soil and Water. =

County M= anager D= on Adams stated that the Board has to decide what they want to do.=

Commissioner Randy Miller asked how much more can they t= ake out of fund balance and be safe.

County M= anager Don Adams explained that the = safe range is $200,000-$300,000 to balance the budget. He further explained that normally= all of the money isn’t spent. He said that there is another $53,000.

Commissioner Randy Miller talked about using that money = for salaries. He asked can that f= ix it.

County M= anager D= on Adams explained that an additional 1% is $32,000.

The Board of Commissioners discussed different ways to address the salary longevity issues.

County M= anager D= on Adams asked if the starting salary stays the same and move everyone 3% up.

Commissioner Doug Murphy agreed that is a step in the ri= ght direction.

The Co= unty Manager and Chair K= en Richardson talked about adjustments.

Chair Ken Richardson reiterated the Manager’s comm= ents about going up 3%.

The Board of Commissioners talked about how to fix this longevity issue. They decided= to add $32,000 to make the total 3% with a commitment to look at it again next year.

Chair Ken Richardson explained that the Board still has $212,122.20 to look at how to fund. He suggested after the Board discus= ses salaries, move back to discuss the $212,122.

County M= anager D= on Adams and Chair Ken Richardson talked about one penny on the taxes is $160,000.

Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about money for the sc= hools.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about the SCAAP monies. She further talked ab= out the $32,000 could be used on the jailers request. She asked can this money be used f= or salaries. She said that the <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">County Manager says no and Steve Cothren says yes.

County M= anager D= on Adams explained that financially the Sheriff’s Department/Jail is a department. He further explai= ned the SCAAP program started four years ago when the County hired a CPA to save money here and other areas. He explained that the CPA identified the SCAAP program, he went to the jail to= gather information, brought it back here to find us money to help with existing ex= penses. He further explained that they must track every inmate, jailers collect the data already, funds we received wer= e $32,000 for two years worth of grants, list of items that money can be spent on, Bo= ard of Commissioners can chose because we file the report. He explained that the County first = did this to offset the money already spent on the Law Enforcement Center. He said that he has to sign a docu= ment that says the County spends more than $32,000 on salaries, which the County does because salaries are a lot more than $32,000.

Commissioner Milly Richardson and County Manager Don Adams discussed who the money belongs to.<= o:p>

Chair Ken Richardson used another example of a county em= ployee saving money wanting the savings to go on their salary.

Commissioner Warren Taylor said that it all comes back t= o the grade/job description issue. = He stated that it is not fair to look at one group and not the others.

The Board of Commissioners discussed the requirements on= how to use these monies.

Commissioner Randy Miller asked who is the lowest underp= aid department is.

County M= anager D= on Adams reviewed his spreadsheet showing multiple departments. He explained his numbers are only related to beginning salaries.

Chair Ken Richardson asked without getting into something new, the Board will be doing good to find the $212,122. He talked about leaving the 2% and longevity then tackle the $212,000. He talked about taking the existing money and adding it to the fund balance.

County M= anager D= on Adams discussed the current fund balance numbers.

Chair Ken Richardson, Commissioner Milly Richardson and Commissioner Warren Taylor discussed taking it out of the fund balance, liv= ing with it and take the hit next year.

County M= anager D= on Adams said that takes the fund balance to a little over 17%.

Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about special appropriations. He further ta= lked about budget amendments throughout the year taking money out of the fund balance.

Commissioner Milly Richardson said that it will make it a lot tighter next year. <= /o:p>

County M= anager D= on Adams reiterated that his recommendation is always between 20-30% fund balance.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked if he is comfortable with= the 17%.

County M= anager D= on Adams answered no.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about the need to look at the things that we added.

Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about if the Board cut= s the schools or raises taxes 2¢ because of uncontrollable costs at the schools.

Chair Ken Richardson suggested 1¢ property tax incr= ease and take the remainder out of the fund balance.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about cutting the n= on-mandated services. She further talked = about the Chamber of Commerce is one place to look, and there are other places, t= oo.

Commissioner Warren Taylor agreed about raising taxes 1¢ and taking the remainder out of fund balance.

Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that she cannot sup= port a tax increase.

County M= anager D= on Adams explained how revenues come in and the use of the fund balance.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about having to make difficult choices next year.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked about staying here and deciding or should the Board think about it and come back.

Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about Wilkes County had their fund balance down to zero because they didn’t raise taxes, and = one group had to raise taxes 12¢.

Commissioner Randy Miller talked about the County cannot progress with the times without raising taxes.

Commissioner Milly Richardson reiterated that the Board = really shouldn’t put any more onto taxpayers.

Commissioner Doug Murphy stated that needs like education and safety should be looked at.

Chair Ken Richardson mentioned ways to go forward with t= he budget.

The Board of Commissioners discussed the Board of Education’s request and the difference.

Commissioner Warren Taylor <= /st1:PersonName>reminded everyone that the public hearing is on Monday.

County M= anager D= on Adams asked if the Board is looking at taxes.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that is off the table.<= /o:p>

County M= anager D= on Adams asked if the Board is done with salaries.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that he thinks so.

County M= anager D= on Adams asked about the $212,000.

Chair Ken Richardson asked the Board to pick out three concerns. He stated that he understands that each Commissioner will have different concerns.=

County M= anager D= on Adams explained the uncontrollable costs for the Board of Education.

Commissioner Milly Richardson and Commissioner Doug Murp= hy asked if the NCWISE is state mandated.

Chair Ken Richardson mentioned three areas of additional funding; schools, Family<= /st1:PlaceName> Resource Center and Alleghany Group Homes.

Commissioner Randy Miller discussed the raising taxes is= sue.

Commissioner Milly Richardson reiterated the need to keep taxes at the rate as this year.

Chair Ken Richardson recessed the meeting at 6:55pm until Friday, June = 27 at 4:00pm.<= /p>

Res= pectfully Submitted,

Karen Evans

Cle= rk to the Board

Att= est:

Ken Richardson

Cha= irman